"Lovers of basketball, especially fellow athletes, will devour this novel." -- School Library Journal "The Hoop Con is an action-packed basketball story written by an author who clearly knows the ins and outs of basketball, but like all the best sports stories, this satisfying series opener is about so much more than sports. Readers will root for Raam as he faces humiliation and despair and then bounces back-with the help of his baller cousin, Trina-to become a better basketball player and a better person. Amar Shah's debut is as fun as it is powerful, and this tale of resilience and growth-on and off the court-will score big points with middle grade readers." -- Laurie Morrison, author of Up for Air and Keeping Pace "A terrific beginning to a new basketball-focused series. I loved the way this one dug into the all-too-familiar tween emotions of humiliation and how this low point fueled Raam's comeback. I'm always a fan of the home-away-home story structure, and even more when it comes with an unlikely mentor. Raam's connection with his baller cousin in LA was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Replete with PLENTY of basketball references, this one holds a ton of appeal for the basketball-obsessed nine to thirteen-year-old. Can't wait to see what happens over the course of this series." -- Jenn Bishop, author of Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up.