This is a good dual POV book about two boys! I found that I liked these characters and their friendship. I liked how their different POVs blended throughout and how we learn about each of them and hear from each of them.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

I found the alternating point of view of the two main characters to be an excellent way to advance the story. It was especially nice because the two main characters were so different but still good friends and trying to help each other navigate the difficulties they faced as they found their places in their new middle school. Middle school students universally must decide how much to change to maintain friendships. I can see this book as a great book club choice for social issues.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel. This did not affect my review.

This was a good coming of age story about two boys’ friendship! Isaac and Marco couldn’t be more different. Isaac is very good at basketball but cannot keep his grades up. His father has a drinking problem, and is only allowed to have custody of him when he is sober. Marco is very short and good at school. He wishes more than anything that he was good at basketball, so that maybe his father would come back and watch him play. Both Marco and Isaac help each other with basketball and problems at home.

This is a modern coming of age novel that would be a good addition to any middle school library! I originally picked this book up because I loved Efren Divided, and this did not disappoint! I will be looking out for more of this author’s work in the future.

Grades 4+.

The author masterfully told this dual POV story, replete with interesting and important details about each character. While their symbiotic support for one another felt sweet, it didn’t ring very true (seemed somewhat “forced”). I absolutely loved this author’s debut book, and was very hyped for this one, but it did fall short...

This was too depressing to start with I have no wish to keep reading this although I don't think I would like own this. It was very well written. I was sucked in right a way. I just thought it was too many depressing issues for just two characters. Fans of hard hitting books this is for you.

A great story of true friendship! Two boys that are not alike (sporty vs. smarty) have so much in common with family highs and lows. This book shows the depth of their friendship and how each boy works hard to make their friend's life better.

Very readable middle grade story about two unlikely but steadfast friends. Although academic and orderly Marco and scatterbrained and athletic baller Isaac are different, they’ve been friends and supported each other throughout elementary school. Now they are starting sixth grade with challenges at school and at home. While the story moves quickly, the dialogue and social situations are realistic and believable. The boys’ support for each other is admirable and Marco’s ability to shake off what most others think is commendable. Great sports as well as “life lessons” book. I’ll definitely be recommending this to my students in my library.

Great, great book about basketball, teamwork, determination and perseverance when Marco decides he wants to try out for basketball even though he’s short, and Isaac,his best friend, offers his help and tips on how to play. Marco’s dad isn’t around much and so Marco wants to make the team so his dad will come watch him play. The support each boy shows each other is heartwarming, Isaac needs to do better in school and Marco helps him. When friends say Muggsy, a short basketball player, made it Marco thinks he can too. He uses Muggsy’s mantra “always believe” to motivate himself. Isaac shows Marco how to guard and slap the ball loose telling him getting stops may be more important than scoring, Marco makes the team and his dad says he’s coming to watch them play. Something happens though. Can Marco handle it? As Isaac plays in the tournament, he realizes life is like a basketball and that “it all comes down to how much hustle you put in,”