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Description
Fourteen-year-old Lincoln Mendoza, an aspiring basketball player, must come to terms with his divided loyalties when he moves from the Hispanic inner city to a white, suburban neighborhood.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a quick, relatable sports story that mixes humor with a real look at what it's like to be caught between two worlds, Taking Sides might be exactly what you need. Lincoln Mendoza's move from a Hispanic inner-city neighborhood to a mostly white suburb creates plenty of funny moments and a few awkward situations as he tries out for the basketball team, makes new friends, and still keeps in touch with his old crew. Kids who love basketball, stories about navigating a new school, or anyone who enjoys a genuine, slightly sarcastic teen voice will find something to like here. Parents can rest assured it's a wholesome, age-appropriate read with just a bit of typical teen slang and a few tense but non-graphic confrontations; the focus stays on friendship, loyalty, and figuring out who you really are. If you liked the fast-paced, in-your-face style of Kwame Alexander's The Crossover but want a different cultural perspective, this one's a solid pick.