Anthony Nedzinski's Book Report on "Summer Ball"

Name: Anthony Nedzinski

Title of Book: Summer Ball

Author: Mike Lupica

What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved? Be specific.

Danny Walker, the main character in Summer Ball , encountered a problem with his

summer basketball camp coach, Coach Powers.  Coach Powers did not like Danny from

the start of camp because his dad, Richie Walker, decommitted years ago from the men’s

basketball team at the university he was coaching at.  During camp, Danny missed a

crucial shot that costed the game which made Coach Powers dislike him even more.

At the end of camp, during the playoffs Danny earned Coach Powers respect by playing

great, making tough shots, playing good defense, and passing with high basketball IQ.

What was the author's purpose or purposes in writing the book? Explain how you know.

Mike Lupica’s purpose for writing Summer Ball was to entertain young people,

especially those interested in basketball.  I know this because Lupica creates

suspense focused around a young basketball player and his coach.  Lupica’s attention

to detail as to what goes on during a basketball camp was very enjoyable to read.

What did the title have to do with the book?

The title, Summer Ball, related to summer basketball camp the main character attends

as a teenager.

Tell in your own words how the setting of the story made it more interesting. Be specific.

Summer Ball takes place in Maine during the summer of the main character’s thirteenth

year of life.  The setting made the story more interesting because the main character traveled

to a new state with only two friends and he was away from his family for two weeks.  As a

thirteen year old, it was the longest time he had been away from his family.

If one of the characters visited our classroom, what question would you ask them? (Make sure

the question relates to the plot/problem/actions of the story.) *Give the name of the character

with the question!!*

I would ask Coach Powers,” Coach Powers, was it fair that you disliked Danny because of

what his father did so many years ago?”

Pretend you are a librarian recommending the book to someone. Write a paragraph telling what

you would say.

Summer Ball is an exciting read for people interested in basketball.  The author, Mike

Lupica, ends each chapter with a cliffhanger that makes you want to keep reading!  Danny

Walker, the main character, is a kid who is very down to earth, while Coach Powers, his

summer basketball coach, is difficult to like because of his unfair qualities.  Summer Ball

is the perfect book for someone who is into basketball.

If they made a movie of this book, which scene would be most important to include. Explain the

scene with details and why it's important.

If a movie was made about Summer Ball, a scene that should be included is the dramatic

part when Danny missed the final shot to lose the basketball game.  Danny had been trying to

impress Coach Powers because he obviously didn’t like Danny. After he missed the shot, Danny

was embarrassed when Coach Powers yelled at him in front of the crowd.  Danny became determined

to prove to Coach Powers what he was capable of on the basketball court. He worked really hard

and gradually won Coach Powers respect.