FREE THROWS, FRIENDSHIP, AND OTHER THINGS WE FOULED UP

History threatens to repeat itself as two new eighth grade friends try to find out why their dads seem to hate one another.

Practically from the moment Cincinnati middle schooler Abby volunteers to chaperone new student Rory on her first day, the girls form a tight bond. In fact, they discover to their shock, their connection is just like the one their own dads had as kids before something caused a decisive break. Even now, meeting years later as coaches of nationally ranked basketball teams at rival colleges, Abby’s dad won’t shake hands with Rory’s dad after a game. What happened? Neither of the fathers will talk about it. But as Rory and Abby gather clues and eventually suffer a traumatic break of their own, Bishop uses flashbacks to weave together two rich friendship stories that differ in detail but both turn on deep rifts caused by betrayals of trust—and, ultimately, are healed by talking things out. The struggles of the two daughters (both talented hoopsters themselves) with family and personal quandaries play out against a backdrop of March Madness, where their dads go head-to-head. Even though basketball’s more a diversion than the main event here, there’s some competitive action. The leads appear white; names and other cues identify significant characters of color in the supporting cast.

Rich in tight bonds as well as savvy coaching on both game play and forgiveness.