Nikki on the Line is my last posting celebrating Women's History Month. It's not historical, just fiction, but it had a great message and was a lot of fun!
This is an upper middle grade book, featuring an 8th grade Nikki who's suddenly got to change up her game or risk losing her spot on a new basketball team.
Nikki's afraid she's become a "black hole" on the court -- unable to shoot and make a basket, always having to pass. Thing is, she used to be a great point-guard, but now they've grown, and she's shorter than all the other girls on the team. Her coach puts her in a different position, what my father calls the "wings," forcing her to learn how to shoot much better.
Along the way, she meets all kind of girls -- some who love the game for what it is, others who could care less but are pushed by parents for that elusive shot at a college scholarship. But the transition from recreational, fun play to competitive play is very real and she has to decide if she's in -- or not.
Still, the piece of advice from her Coach that resonates with her, and us, was this: "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
A fun read!
