Student Review: "Home of the Braves," by David Klass

Joe Brickman, our protagonist, is a high school student. He is captain of his school’s soccer team, has a best friend Ed the mouse, and has a serious crush on a girl named Kris. “The Phenom,” a Brazillian soccer player, comes to his school as a transfer student. Joe persuades him to join the soccer team and the not so popular team starts winning some matches because of him. “The Phenom” starts going out with Kris and is very, very cocky. All this is very upsetting for Joe. In the middle of all this, a new conflict starts between the school’s soccer team and football team. Joe’s best friend gets beat up by bullies and Joe was challenged to fight a tough guy, Slade. Joe decides not to fight as it can lead to his expulsion from school, and he cares more for his future than some lousy fight. I really liked the book because I play soccer. I also liked it when Joe decides not to fight because he does not want to get in trouble. It is important for students not to get in trouble in school, focus on their studies, and get good grades because that is the most important thing for a successful future.

Mohid Ali's Rating: ****

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