Grade 8-12 In a well-constructed juxtaposition, senior Joe Faust fears that, like the legendary Dr. Faustus, he has made an irrevocable pact with the devil. The only child of a famous geneticist and a sculptress, Joe feels inadequate except on the basketball court. When the family moves to Seattle, Joe is eager to experience the non-conformity of public school and the competition of Metro basketball, but his parents veto nearby Loyal High in favour of Eastside, an academic private school. Joe unleashes his frustrations in an abandoned gym where the devil he's read about in Doctor Faustus seems to inspire a series of perfect shots. Desperate for success and identity, Joe vows, Give me a full season, give me twenty-four games of this power, and my soul is yours. Joe becomes a superstar, but his uneasiness is heightened as he delves deeper into Dr. Faustus in his English class. Finally, when Joe wins the twenty-fifth game, he realises that, The devil's workif he had done anywas over. For better or worse, Joe learns that he is the master of his fate. This well-paced first novel is a clever blend of family conflict, superstition, and exciting sports action. Adolescent readers will empathise with the mind games that Joe plays as he struggles for self-identity and independence; teachers will delight in the literary references and analogies; and librarians will praise this fine addition to sports fiction. Gerry Larson, Chewning Junior High School, Durham,
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