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Box Out Paperback – February 1, 2010

by John Coy (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 23 ratings
See all formats and editions
John Coy turns to the high-stakes world of high school basketball in this fast-paced YA novel--now in paperback with new cover art!



Sophomore Liam Bergstrom just joined the varsity basketball team. His teammates made varsity because they're good. Liam's here because he's tall and Coach needs a guy who can grab rebounds. It's the chance Liam's been waiting for, but already he's playing catch-up. The other guys know what Coach expects, and they're willing to do things Coach's way, no matter what. So when Liam questions the team's practice of praying together before games, he's suddenly the odd man out. Now Liam has to find the guts to stand up for what he believes in--and take his game to a whole new level.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Scholastic Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2010
  5. Grade level
    7 - 9
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 7.25 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0545174163
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0545174169
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Coy is an award-winning author, who worked as a dishwasher, mattress maker, and tour guide before taking up writing. He's active in sports and is a member of the NBA Reading All-Star Team as part of the Read to Achieve program. John has traveled to all fifty states as well as to many countries internationally.

His work includes Strong to the Hoop, an American Library Association Notable Book, Night Driving, a Marion Vannett Ridgway Memorial Award winner and a Horn Book Fanfare title, Two Old Potatoes and Me, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, a Nickelodeon Jr.¹s Best Books of the Year, and a featured book on PBS Reading Rainbow, and Vroomaloom Zoom, a book of excellence on the Children¹s Literature Choice List. His newest picture book Around the World is about international basketball.

John¹s latest title is Crackback, a young adult novel that reveals the high stakes world of high school football as a young player finds himself in a difficult situation. John's experience as a defensive back on his high school football team brings an authentic voice to which readers will be able to relate. “As a boy I loved playing football in the back yard and later in organized games,” says John. “Football was the one place where smashing into people was not only okay, it was rewarded.”

The idea for the novel came when he wrote Strong to the Hoop. “My editor for Strong to the Hoop said that the language and action convinced her that I had a novel in me and that she would like to see it when I wrote it,” John states. “When I was ready to write it, the topic that grabbed me was high school football.”

John also wanted to convey his belief that it is impossible to overestimate the degree of identification some teenagers have with sports. “I was such a teenager, and my choices for reading such books were much more limited than the options available today.”

John Coy writes and plays sports in Minnesota and wherever else he can join a game.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Paperbacks; 1st edition (February 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0545174163
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0545174169
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 7.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

About the author

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John Coy

John Coy

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Hi, I'm the author of picture books, young adult novels, and the 4 for 4 middle-grade series featuring Top of the Order, Eyes on the Goal, Love of the Game, and Take Your Best Shot. I write both fiction and nonfiction picture books and have been fortunate to work with some extraordinary artists.

I have a number of new books on the way in the next couple of years so please check back to see what comes next.

I live in Minneapolis and visit schools around the country and around the world. Check out www.johncoy.com for more information and you can also connect @johncoy23 on twitter and johncoy23 on Instagram.

Happy Reading!

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
23 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

📚 my reviews 📚
5.0 out of 5 stars my son enjoyed it
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2010
Verified Purchase
my 15 year old had to read this book as a summer reading book.
it was one of the better choices. most were too deep, in my opinion, for summer reading.
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Winfield-Mt, Union LMC
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
Nice copy.
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KC
4.0 out of 5 stars Athletes and Ethics
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2008
Verified Purchase
John Coy's BOX OUT, the perfect antidote for a sports-loving, reading-resistant middle schooler, will also find an audience among those who love to read and those of any age. In simple language, Coy tackles complex issues such as the separation of church and state. Liam Bergstrom, a 17-year-old hoops player who is delighted when he is promoted from JV to Varsity, is troubled immediately when he discovers the Varsity coach leads his team in Christian prayer before every game. Coach Kloss also has religious meetings at his house for the high school athletes.

What makes the novel work is the inner conflict Liam goes through as he tries to sort out why this troubles him so. His mother is gung-ho against the coach, while his more conservative father (a teacher in the same school system) recommends caution. Meantime, Liam meets pressure from his friends and fellow athletes as well -- his friends oppose his making a stink and advise him to just go along with it so he can get his minutes on court. When he decides to report the practice to a national group and a letter is sent to the principal, all purgatory breaks loose.

Both boys and girls should enjoy this ethical dilemma with a basketball backdrop, as it features not only the boys' team but the champion-caliber girls' team as well. By the end of the book, lines have been drawn and sides have been taken. Verbal harrassment escalates to physical violence and Liam learns that taking ethical stands can come at great cost. Readers will enjoy not only the plot, but the characterization as Liam stands on principle and suffers the consequences. Like Coy's earlier work, CRACKBACK, I recommend this book highly to middle readers.
3 people found this helpful
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TeensReadToo
5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2009
Liam Bergstrom is one lucky sophomore. The varsity coach is bringing him up from JV to rebound for the varsity. Another player's bad luck (an injury) has become good luck for Liam.

When he starts practicing with the varsity, he gives it everything he has. He wants to make his mark on the team because of his ability, not just because of his height. The coach seems impressed, and Liam spends a fair amount of time off the bench and right in the middle of the action.

Unfortunately, there is one thing about the varsity team that kind of surprises Liam, and to be honest, disappoints him.

Before each game and at half-time, the team is required to pray. Coach asks a player to lead the team in prayer, and even though Liam is a practicing Catholic who believes in God and prayer, he feels uncomfortable. In addition to the game prayers, Liam discovers that the team members are expected to attend the HAF (Horizon Athletic Fellowship) meetings as well.

When Liam begins to question the legality of praying at school, several of the players tell him it's just the cost of being part of the team. Liam doesn't like the fact that not everyone on the team may follow Christian beliefs, and he feels hypocritical when he just pretends to participate. When he finally decides to ask the coach about the situation, he gets an answer he later learns was a lie. Having his coach lie to him and then expect him to do something as personal as pray, makes Liam take the issue to the next level.

Bringing the question of separation of church and state to the attention of people beyond the team stirs up things with his teammates and even the school principal. Liam finds out that asking questions and then standing up for what you believe in is not always the easiest road to take. Liam learns that sacrifices are hard and often costly.

BOX OUT is an excellent book. It provides plenty of play-by-play basketball action, plenty of teenage anxiety involving school, parents, and romantic issues, as well as plenty of possible discussion topics for teens and adults. It is well worth reading.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
4 people found this helpful
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Joe Chilli
5.0 out of 5 stars Box Out is a Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2010
What I've always liked about Jon Coy's books, like "Box Out", "Crackback", and "Top of the Order", is the honesty. He treats the game and the kids he writes about with all the respect they deserve. And bear in mind, some folks don't deserve a lot of respect. But to them, he is always fair in his portrayal. With "Box Out" he has once again given us a fast-paced, suspense-filled novel where the sport takes the front seat, but the "back seat" is filled with believable everyday dilemmas and hard choices.

Kids will love this book, for sure, but it offers a lot to keep the more sophisticated reader engaged as well. Two thumbs way up!

--jc

Other great books:  Top of the Order (4 for 4)

Crackback

Strong to the Hoop

.
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