Synopses & Reviews
Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington is the maddest, baddest, most spectacular bowler at Striker's Bowling Paradise. But while Lamar's a whiz at rolling strikes, he always strikes out with girls. And his brother, Xavier the Basketball Savior, is no help. Xavier earns trophy after trophy on the basketball court and soaks up Dad's attention, leaving no room for Lamar's problems.
Until bad boy Billy Jenks convinces Lamar that hustling at the alley will help him win his dream girl, plus earn him enough money to buy an expensive pro ball and impress celebrity bowler Bubba Sanders. But when Billy's scheme goes awry, Lamar ends up ruining his brother's shot at college and every relationship in his life. Can Lamar figure out how to mend his broken ties, no matter what the cost?
From debut author Crystal Allen comes an unforgettable story of one boy's struggle to win his family's respect and get the girl of his dreams while playing the sport he loves.
Review
“This stands out for its unusual setting and smooth integration of friendship and family concerns. ” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“The powerful mix of sibling rivalry, revenge, and hard-won redemption strengthens the perennial appeal of the naïve-underdog-makes-good plot; readers will come for the laughs and stay for the laughs.” Bulletin of the Center for Children & #8217;s Books
Review
Under all the braggadocio is a boy with a big heart, and from the first sentence Lamar will have readers hooked. Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
“Crystal Allen has the rare ability to make you laugh out loud one minute and swell with tears the next. The tween book world has a new heroLamar Washington as well as a brilliant new author whos bound to win a Bubba-sized trophy herself!” Neal Shusterman, author of THE SCHWA WAS HERE and BRUISER
Synopsis
"A powerful mix of sibling rivalry, revenge, and hard-won redemption. Readers will come for the laughs and stay for the laughs." --BCCB
Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington is the maddest, baddest, most spectacular bowler at Striker's Bowling Paradise. But while Lamar's a whiz at rolling strikes, he always strikes out with girls. And Lamar's brother is no help--Xavier earns trophy after trophy on the basketball court and soaks up Dad's attention, leaving no room for Lamar's problems.
Then bad boy Billy Jenks convinces Lamar that hustling at the alley will help him win his dream girl, plus earn him enough money to buy an expensive pro ball and impress celebrity bowler Bubba Sanders.
But when Billy's scheme goes awry, Lamar ends up ruining his brother's shot at college and damaging every relationship in his life. Can Lamar figure out how to mend his broken ties, no matter what the cost?
Crystal Allen's debut novel bowls over critics:
"Lamar will have readers hooked." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Allen has written an engaging and humorous story and created a compelling character in Lamar, whose wonderfully inventive, laugh-out-loud idiosyncratic voice will leave readers wanting to hear more."--ALA Booklist"Crystal Allen has the rare ability to make you laugh out loud one minute and swell with tears the next. The tween book world has a new hero--Lamar Washington--as well as a brilliant new author who's bound to win a Bubba-sized trophy herself " --Neal Shusterman, author of The Schwa Was Here and Bruiser
About the Author
During her childhood, Crystal Allen's parents and older brother worked in bowling alleys, so lucky Crystal spent many hours on the lanes, bowling for free. When she was seven, she won her first trophy: a bowling-pin bank filled with pennies! Since then, she's joined several bowling leagues and loves to bowl with family and friends. Crystal lives in Sugar Land, Texas, with her husband, Reggie, and two sons, Phillip and Joshua.