blue star rapture

Reader Response to Blue Star Rapture by James W. Bennett

Publisher's Synopsis: "T.J. Nucci may not be the best player at basketball camp, but he knows how to work the system. He even knows how to handle his buddy Tyron, who's got talent but not brains. If T.J. can help the college recruiters who want a piece of Tyron, the recruiters will help T.J. — it's only fair, right? But not all the people T.J. encounters that summer are what they seem to be. Street agents, scouts, coaches, and players: everyone's selling something different. Then T.J. meets LuAnn, a troubled girl from the bible camp across the river. She says she's been saved, but her smiles mask a desperation that leads to tragedy. Suddenly T.J.'s not so sure of his own choices anymore. What's it all about? Can T.J. learn to play the power game and come out on top...or is he just another pawn?"

My response:
I thought the book was a great read. It was all about basketball players and the game. I know nothing about the rules of basketball, or the terms associated with it. It illustrated the pressures kids go through when they're a part of a sports team. It also threw a few "bible thumper" characters in there, the activities of which can construed as cult activities. That offended me. Just because someone's on fire for the Lord and wants to succumb to His will doesn't mean they're part of a cult. GAH!

So anyways. Thought it would be a helpful book for me to read. Anyone who plays basketball would enjoy this book. The main character isn't static. He has real problems, like facing college, making the team, and being twitterpated about a girl. Quick read as well. Some swearing in it, but the kids are seniors in high school and that's to be expected to some degree. It receives the word nerd stamp of approval.