Tuesday, February 22, 2011

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy: By Crystal Allen

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy


SUMMARY

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?

REVIEW

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy is book that is clearly aimed at a single age group. This is not a book for young adults, nor adults looking for a great kids book. Instead this is a book that is aimed for older elementary school children and middle schoolers. What I mean by this is that some aspects of the book that I found annoying (some of the phrases Lamar and his friends use) I’m sure many of it’s intended audience will love.

The aspects of Lamar’s Bad Prank that impressed me most were the plot and the overall deeper issues it discusses. These issues include dealing with the death of a loved one (Lamar’s mother), revenge (on his brother), bowling for money/scamming others through bowling, and the issue that makes it’s way into almost all young adult/middle grade books, girls. Lamar deals with all of these issues, and while some of them seemed to be solved just a little too easily at the end of the book, it was an enjoyable book that I would have no trouble recommending for someone in it’s recommended age group.

RATING

7.5 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Published: February 22, 2011

Price: $16.99

1 comment:

  1. Thanks so much for taking time to read and review How Lamar's Bad Prank Won A Bubba-Sized Trophy. I appreciate it very much.

    Crystal Allen

    ReplyDelete