This Was Never About Basketball eBook Craig Leener
Download As PDF : This Was Never About Basketball eBook Craig Leener
In this coming-of-age novel, seventeen-year-old high school basketball star Ezekiel “Zeke” Archer has it all a sweet jump shot, a full-ride scholarship to a Midwestern basketball powerhouse, and the brightest future. But when Zeke’s temper gets the better of him in the city championship, he is expelled from school, has to forfeit his scholarship, and is left to ponder his once-hopeful future... While finishing his final high school days in the California educational system’s version of purgatory, Zeke makes a stunning discovery. With the help of a young autistic classmate Zeke befriends, he learns that the mysterious 7th Dimension, which brought basketball to Earth more than a century ago, has decided to take the game away for good — all because of the ugly event Zeke set into motion in his final game! As he embarks on the ultimate cross-country road trip to save basketball, Zeke must confront his unsettled past — including a father he’s not heard from in years and a brother fighting in a war half a world away — in order to set his life on the right path and rescue the game he loves.
This Was Never About Basketball eBook Craig Leener
While Craig Leener's book is designed for a teen audience, I found the story and the dialog tremendously compelling. The voice of the narrator, Zeke, has an adult sensibility with the irrepressible energy of youth, and a breezy, self-deprecating sense of humor. His asides to the reader as he leads us along his amazing, suspenseful, funny and sometimes jaw-dropping journey are gems. The book contains rich, well-developed characters and wonderful life lessons. Zeke's autistic friend is delightful, clever and witty, and has the ring of truth about this misunderstood condition. Zeke's girlfriend, who has a past as unique as his own, is funny, resourceful and very appealing. And a local sports equipment dealer, Chip, through his own ties to this adventure, becomes the moral compass of the story. like a Frank Capra character in It's A Wonderful Life. Think Thomas Mitchell. And speaking of movies, the structure, pacing and scope are very cinematic. This has the potential to be a wonderful film. "This Was Never About Basketball" is a remarkable first novel. I hope Mr. Leener jumps right into another one..Product details
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This Was Never About Basketball eBook Craig Leener Reviews
I really enjoyed this 'coming of age' story. As a former high school basketball coach, I recognized the characters and the complexities that
surround the game and life itself. This is a strong debut novel that combines interesting elements that all work when meshed together. I strongly recommend this book.
I am so impressed with how well crafted this book is! While intended for teens, it is a book that anyone of any age will enjoy. I especially appreciate the message of the book, as a story of redemption and hope. Highlighting important social themes such as autism awareness, this book encourages inclusion, compassion, and the importance of a strong value system that supports good decision making. Bravo! Can't wait to see this made into a film!
Using a very clever metaphor of the game of basketball, Craig Leener has written a riveting teenage coming of age story. He skillfully interweaves growing up challenges with an amusing road trip to the birthplace of basketball. His cast of characters are well defined and amusing and his writing style is uncluttered and brilliant. I am a great fan of all levels of basketball and his descriptions of the game are spot on. It is a wonderful book and I could not put it down. Highly recommended. Can't wait for his next endeavor. Bravo!!!
"This Was Never About Basketball"
If Phil Dick wrote an inspirational history of basketball for young people this might be it. Twilight Zone adventure meets patterns of man mirrored through the game. I tend to think a great many people that are very passionate about basketball read deeply into what the game reveals about people and their personal behavior. "This Was Never About Basketball" will speak their language regardless of age or background...(and maybe even make the reader question whether the "7th dimension's" works are necessarily fiction! I'm personally on the fence.)
A lot of fun and it would make a great TV show...it feels like we just opened up a world that you'd think could continue.
This was a wonderful book!! Really could not put the book down. The interplay of characters(doesn't hurt that I grew up in the SFV) was wonderful. The author shows a real knack for being able to interest the reader early on in his book and keeps the intensity throughout the entire story. You really connect with the characters and am looking for a development of these figures in a potental sequel??? Overall would thoroughly recommend this book to all readers there is a hidden meaning in this story but you'll have to read it to understand it. Also affects the reader on many levels. Could go on and on about this book but bottom line, read it and you'll want to know more!! Enjoy
I'm not the kind of reader who keeps going if a book doesn't immediately grab me. I'm also not particularly interested in either basketball or young adult novels. Despite both of these facts, I loved "It Was Never About Basketball." I read the entire book in about 5 hours, while traveling on a plane. I couldn't put it down. Leener does a fantastic job of creating a believable , grounded world and filling it with interesting characters. He hits every emotional beat perfectly without ever slowing the plot. Best of all, things just continue to get stranger and stranger, every step of the way, until, suddenly, it all makes sense.
I began this book, which I told the author I would read, with trepidation, being a 70-something female with no interest whatsoever in sports of any kind – and knowing it was intended for a young adult, probably male, audience. A lot of other books are on my desk lined up to read, and I seldom manage to get all the way through any I have time to pick up. Granted, they’re mostly pretty serious non-fiction – definitely not page-turners – but the bottom line is that I don’t have much time to read. Once I picked up This Was Never About Basketball, however, I could hardly put it down, and finished it within a couple of days. I think anyone of either sex or any age would enjoy this book and get something important from it. The characters are funny, engaging, and authentic; the plot twists and turns every which way, keeping those pages turning; and the ultimate message is uplifting and positive – even inspiring. Young adults may find themselves running to the dictionary – or dictionary.com – a few times, but that’s a good thing – a great way to expand their vocabulary! Congratulations to Craig Leener on a terrific debut novel; may there be many more!
While Craig Leener's book is designed for a teen audience, I found the story and the dialog tremendously compelling. The voice of the narrator, Zeke, has an adult sensibility with the irrepressible energy of youth, and a breezy, self-deprecating sense of humor. His asides to the reader as he leads us along his amazing, suspenseful, funny and sometimes jaw-dropping journey are gems. The book contains rich, well-developed characters and wonderful life lessons. Zeke's autistic friend is delightful, clever and witty, and has the ring of truth about this misunderstood condition. Zeke's girlfriend, who has a past as unique as his own, is funny, resourceful and very appealing. And a local sports equipment dealer, Chip, through his own ties to this adventure, becomes the moral compass of the story. like a Frank Capra character in It's A Wonderful Life. Think Thomas Mitchell. And speaking of movies, the structure, pacing and scope are very cinematic. This has the potential to be a wonderful film. "This Was Never About Basketball" is a remarkable first novel. I hope Mr. Leener jumps right into another one..
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