THE HOOPSTER

When assigned to write his first full-length feature article—on racism—for Affairs magazine, Andre Anderson balks: Just because he’s black doesn’t make him an expert on racism. He tells his boss, “I don’t really think it affects me personally all that much.” However, as he writes, and begins to observe and think like a writer, he sees racism everywhere. And the article he writes receives tremendous positive response for the understanding, feeling and guts displayed in his prose. Unfortunately, the local hate group, the PPA (People for a Pure America), decides to respond and, in a horrifying scene, attacks Andre in a parking lot. Sitomer’s strong prose, humor and well-described basketball scenes support a larger tale of a writer who, even after terrible injuries to his hand, says, “I will type with my goddamned nose if I have to.” Readers will look forward to the next volumes in the planned trilogy. (Fiction. YA)