Lizzy Legend
by Matthew Ross Smith (Author)
A basketball-loving girl makes a wish to never miss a basket in this charming middle grade novel that pushes girl power to the max!
Lizzy Trudeaux loves basketball. She doesn't have much by way of money, but she has access to the community court, a worn ball named Ginger, and she practices constantly. After fighting to join the boy's team at her school, Lizzy is finally given the opportunity to show off her hard-earned skills.
When she answers what she believes is another bill collecting phone call, Lizzy receives a magical wish: the ability to sink every shot. Pure Swish. Now eviscerating the competition in the boy's league is small potatoes--she has the skills to dominate in the NBA.
With the help of her BFF Toby and some viral video action, Lizzy goes all the way to the Philadelphia Bells' starting lineup, making history and taking names. Then, just as she's about to go face to face with her hero, the best player on the planet, things begin to fall apart. But Lizzy isn't a quitter and she'll play her hardest for the love of the game.
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Kirkus
Not quite a slam dunk but an enjoyable sports fantasy nonetheless. (Fiction. 8-13)
ALA/Booklist
Grades 4-7. Documentary-style cutaways to interviews with key players, along with short chapters and a balance of well-paced action and heart, give this sports story wide appeal. Hand to the kids who can’t stop arguing over Steph versus LeBron.
School Library Journal
Gr 4-6--Lizzy's worked harder than anyone else at being the best basketball player for most of her 13 years, spending hours each day practicing on the rundown court outside her apartment. All the work pays off when Lizzy makes it onto her school's eighth-grade boys basketball team and quickly proves herself to be the MVP. Meanwhile, she is also dealing with bill collectors calling constantly to get a hold of her father. At first, upon receiving a strange call from a robot, Lizzy thinks it's someone else looking for her dad, but when the robot asks her what her wish is, she blurts the first thing she can think of: to never miss another basketball shot. When the fantastical wish actually comes true, her life is shot into a completely new orbit, she's winning games, and she ultimately gets recruited for an NBA team! The story is complete fantasy and even a bit goofball, but Lizzy is a likable character. She continually works hard and stays focused on her goals, even when things get difficult. VERDICT An entertaining story with a positive message about girls in sports.--Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV032020 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Basketball
Schools
Basketball
Basketball stories
Middle schools
Sex role
Ability
Wishes
