Eleven-year-old Jaylen Carter has one question the day he moves to Atlanta: where's the nearest court? He left behind his team, his best friend, and everything he knew in Charlotte. Now he's the new kid in a city where nobody knows his name. Then a pickup game at Grady Park changes everything. It leads to tryouts for the Grady Lions and a spot as starting point guard. But making the team is the easy part. Jaylen can score almost at will, and that's exactly the problem. His coach wants a leader who makes everyone better. His grandfather, a former college player with a tattered old playbook, wakes him before sunrise for drills. A talented teammate named Victor seems determined to fight him at every turn. And when his old team from Charlotte shows up on the schedule, Jaylen has to face the best friend he left behind. With a championship on the line, Jaylen has to learn the hardest play in basketball: trusting the people around him. Inside this middle-grade sports novel: A fast-paced story packed with real game action, close finishes, and playoff pressure A basketball skills and knowledge box after every chapter, covering court dimensions, the triple-threat position, the Mikan Drill, plus/minus, and more Stories from the game's history, including how basketball was invented and Bill Russell's eleven championships Life lessons on teamwork, handling pressure, bouncing back from a slump, and being a great teammate A goal-setting activity at the end to help young players put the lessons into action What readers are saying: "This is the perfect book for any young boy who loves basketball. New to town, Jaylen Carter learns important lessons about basketball, friendship, and family as he becomes an integral member of his new team. I really like how the author included interesting facts at the end of each chapter. I learned things I never knew about basketball! As a former elementary teacher, I love finding books that will appeal to boys, and this book does just that!" Tracey Nagley, former elementary teacher "Finding your place is about discovering where you truly belong. It's about building genuine relationships through trust, and showing resilience by getting back up every time life knocks you down." Reader review Written by board-certified family physician Dr. Rabea Hadi, Run the Play is a story about finding your place, trusting your team, and getting back up when you fall. It's perfect for readers ages 8 to 12, young athletes, and anyone who has ever been the new kid.
