
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling to bridge the gap between their natural talents and the academic or personal discipline required to succeed. It is particularly resonant for kids who feel misunderstood by authority figures or who define themselves solely through a single hobby or sport. Slam! follows seventeen-year-old Greg Harris as he navigates a new magnet school where his basketball skills are elite but his grades are failing. The story explores the friction between a young man's ego and the humility needed to ask for help. Parents will appreciate how Walter Dean Myers treats Greg's internal life with dignity and realism. The book tackles themes of accountability and the fear of the future without being preachy. It is an excellent choice for 12 to 17 year olds who need to see that true grit involves more than just physical talent, it requires the emotional resilience to tackle the things you aren't naturally good at.
Themes of neighborhood violence and the death of a grandmother.
A primary subplot involves a close friend suspected of dealing drugs.
The book deals with drug dealing (Ice) and academic failure. The approach is direct and secular. The resolution is realistic rather than a fairy-tale ending; Slam makes progress, but his future remains a work in progress.
A middle or high schooler who feels like they 'don't fit' in school but find their identity in a sport or art form. It's for the kid who thinks teachers are 'out to get them' when they are actually trying to help.
Preview the scenes where Slam's friend Ice is suspected of dealing drugs. This provides an opportunity to discuss the dangers of drug use and the potential consequences of making harmful choices. A parent might notice their child shutting down when asked about school, or using their extracurricular success as an excuse for failing grades.
Younger teens will focus on the basketball action and the peer pressure. Older teens will resonate more with the anxiety of graduation and the pressure of 'making it' out of their current circumstances.
Unlike many sports books that focus on the big game, Myers focuses on the internal discipline and authentically portrays the vernacular and experiences of its characters. ```
Greg Harris, known as Slam, is an incredible basketball talent who transfers from his neighborhood school to a prestigious magnet school. While he excels on the court, he struggles with the academic demands and the social displacement of being in a new environment. He must also navigate a changing friendship with his best friend Ice, who may be getting involved in dealing drugs. The climax involves Slam realizing that he must apply the same focus he has for basketball to his schoolwork and his personal integrity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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