Look Inside
 

Book Information

  • Series: Lorimer Sports Stories
  • Imprint: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
  • Publication Date: 1 March 2013
  • Copyright Year: 2013
  • ISBN: 9781459403758
  • Page Count: 128
  • Dimensions: 5" x 7.75"
  • Interest ages: 10-13
  • Reading level: Grade 3

Purchasing Information

Digital (ePub)
9781459403772
$12.99 CAD

Available

Paperback
9781459403758
$9.95 CAD

Available

Also Available From
Hardcover
9781459403765
$16.95 CAD

Out of stock indefinitely

Also Available From

Game Face

by Sylvia Gunnery

Basketball player Jay has to focus on what's weak and make it strong

Jay Hirtle's back in Rockets territory and he's determined to help his former teammates win the basketball championship. But some of his teammates aren't very welcoming, including Colin, Jay's former best friend and last season's MVP. When Jay wins out in a close vote for team captain, Colin's behaviour becomes even more hostile. Jay has to think of a way to fix their strained relationship -- and the effect it has on the team's showing -- even if it means giving up the captaincy.

About the Author

Sylvia Gunnery
SYLVIA GUNNERY, an award-winning educator, lives at Crescent Beach, Nova Scotia, where she taught junior and senior high school. She is the author of Personal Best and Out of Bounds, a CCBC Best Bets Selection for Kids and Teens and Hackmatack Childrens Choice Book Award nominee.

Reviews

"Sylvia Gunnery is an experienced author who very capably fulfills the requirements for Lorimer's Sports Stories series. She supplies fast-paced action, character, and local colour. There is action on and off the court in Game Face. Not only does Gunnery describe the interaction and plays during practices, but the action climax of the book is a well-described first game of the season, with a complex and well-executed final winning play. As well, she deftly describes the interactions between Colin and Jay. Colin both snubs and attacks Jay, trying to encourage other students to accept his distrust and dislike of Jay, who had formerly been his friend. Many students will recognize Colin's bullying behaviour." Recommended
Rebecca King, CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Jay is a strong character . . . the basketball scenes, from practices to critical games, are excellent and will draw the intended readership into the book. The coaching is firm, goal oriented and upbeat while the basketball action itself is typical, fast paced down to the last second. That all of this can be accomplished while keeping the reading level at grade 3.4 is amazing."

Rated E, excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!

Joan Marshall, Resource Links
"An abundance of dialogue makes for a fast-paced read with personal angst that rings true."
Booklist (U.S.)

Awards

Best Books for Kids & Teens - Canadian Children's Book Centre
2013
Hackmatack Children's Choice Award 2014-15
2014
One of the Year's Best for 2013 - Resource Links
2013

Subjects (BISAC)

JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship

Similar Titles

  • Holding

    Lorna Schultz Nicholson
    Josh, Sam and Peter are together again for their last summer at hockey camp. Josh is certain that nothing could be better than playing with his friends and cousin Troy, until he discovers that his card shark cousin is gambling with the team's success.
    $8.95, Paperback
    Interest ages: 10-13
    Reading level: Grade 2

  • Home Ice

    Beatrice Vandervelde
    Tori is staying with family near Toronto while her parents deal with troubles back home. To keep a sense of normalcy, she joins the Rangers -- the worst hockey team in the league.
    $9.95, Paperback
    Interest ages: 10-13
    Reading level: Grade 3
    Lexile Reading Level: 610L

  • Miss Little's Losers

    Robert Rayner
    The Brunswick Valley School soccer team haven't won a game all season long. When their coach resigns, the only person who will coach them is Miss Little ... their former kindergarten teacher!
    $16.95, Hardcover
    Interest ages: 9-13
    Reading level: Grade 4
    Lexile Reading Level: 770L

  • Rebound

    Adrienne Mercer
    A diagnosis of childhood arthritis threatens C.J.'s dream of one day making it to the national basketball team.
    $8.95, Paperback
    Interest ages: 10-13
    Reading level: Grade 4
    Lexile Reading Level: 800L
Scroll to Top