Book Review: Off the Bench by Fred Bowen

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the OFF THE BENCH by Fred Bowen Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: OFF THE BENCH

Author: Fred Bowen

Pub. Date: March 28, 2023

Publisher: Peachtree

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 144

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/OFF-THE-BENCH

Chris wants to be a star scorer like his brother—so why does his coach keep him waiting on the bench?

Chris comes from a sports-loving family. His brother is the star scorer on the high school team, and is being recruited by Division 3 colleges. Chris longs to earn the same adulation, and he’s a good scorer for his junior high team. But why won’t his coach start him? He’s better on defense than his rival, Carlos, and nearly as good a shooter.
 
Soon Chris becomes obsessed with earning a place in his team’s starting lineup. He does everything he can think of—including being an invaluable player every time he comes in. But nothing seems to get Coach’s attention. Even after he learns the history of the valuable “6th man,” Chris can’t seem to let it go. How will he ever be a big scoring star?
 
For every kid who hates to read but loves basketball, comes a suspenseful novel with plenty of play-by-play sports action.

 

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Why Should You Read This?

Off the Bench by Fred Bowen is a wonderful coming-of-age novel that explores the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity. Chris, the protagonist, is a basketball player who longs to be the star scorer like his brother. However, despite his skill and hard work, he spends most of the games on the bench.

The story takes readers through Chris’s journey as he tries to earn a place in his team’s starting lineup. The author does an excellent job of showing the reader the frustrations and emotions Chris goes through as he feels overlooked by his coach. Chris becomes obsessed with earning his coach’s approval and does everything he can think of, including studying the history of the “6th man,” to improve his game and prove his worth.

The book features plenty of play-by-play sports action, which is sure to thrill young readers who love basketball. But more than that, the story is about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Chris is a relatable character who shows that success is not always about being the star, but about being an invaluable member of the team.

Overall, Off the Bench is a fantastic book for young readers who love basketball and are looking for a story that will inspire them to keep pushing towards their goals. The author’s writing style is engaging, and the pacing is perfect, making it a quick and enjoyable read for readers of all ages.

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About Fred Bowen:

Fred Bowen was a Little Leaguer who loved to read. Now he is the author of many action-packed books of sports fiction. He has also written a weekly sports column for kids in the Washington Post since 2000. Fred played lots of sports growing up, including soccer at Marblehead High School. For thirteen years, he coached kids’ baseball, soccer, and basketball teams. Some of his stories spring directly from his coaching experience and his sports-happy childhood in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Fred holds a degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from George Washington University. He was a lawyer for many years before retiring to become a full-time children’s author. Bowen has been a guest author at schools and conferences across the country, as well as the National Book Festival in Washington, DC, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fred lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife. For more information, check out the author’s website at www.fredbowen.com.

 

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of OFF THE BENCH, US Only.

Ends May 2^nd, midnight EST.

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