Off the Bench

By Fred Bowen

Part of the All-Star Sports Stories series

Why is Kris benched despite his skills? Can he become the star scorer he dreams of?

4.1/5 Goodreads · 16 ratings

144 pages

$16.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Kris dreams of being a star scorer like his brother, but his coach keeps him on the bench. Despite his defensive prowess and shooting skills, Kris struggles to secure a starting spot. Obsessed with proving himself, he learns about the importance of the '6th man' but can't shake his desire for the spotlight. Will Kris find a way to shine on the court, or will he remain in the shadows? Dive into this gripping tale of ambition, rivalry, and the quest for recognition in the world of junior high basketball.

From the publisher

Kris wants to be a star scorer like his brother–so why does his coach keep him waiting on the bench? Kris comes from a sports-loving family. His brother is the star scorer on the high school team, and is being recruited by Division 3 colleges. Kris longs to earn the same adulation, and he’s a good scorer for his junior high team. But why won’t his coach start him? He’s better on defense than his rival, Carlos, and nearly as good a shooter. Soon Kris becomes obsessed with earning a place in his team’s starting lineup. He does everything he can think of–including being an invaluable player every time he comes in. But nothing seems to get Coach’s attention. Even after he learns the history of the valuable “6th man,” Kris can’t seem to let it go. How will he ever be a big scoring star? For every kid who hates to read but loves basketball, comes a suspenseful novel with plenty of play-by-play sports action. A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year

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