Basketball runs in Rory March's and Abby Allenbach's blood. When Rory follows her dad to his new coaching position at the University of Cincinnati, she bonds with fellow eighth-grader Abby, the crosstown rival coach's daughter. That college ball beef? It extends off the court: the coaches were childhood besties but haven't spoken in decades. Opposites Abby and Rory secretly solidify a friendship forged over Skyline Chili, stats, and a love of the game as they investigate their fathers' fouled friendship. Bishop (Things You Can't Say, 2020) returns to athletic themes here, alternating two fully developed perspectives while modeling healthy, communicative relationships. Flashbacks contextualize the rift, and a (total baller) retired nun spanning story lines deserves her own spin-off. Game action is pervasive though notably engaging to nonplayers, and design elements, including numbered jerseys for chapter headers, honor the sport. With side themes of divorce, a first crush, and flawed parenting, this brisk and gracious upper-middle-grade selection is a top seed for collections and slam dunk for sports fans.

History threatens to repeat itself as two new eighth grade friends try to find out why their dads seem to hate one another.Practically from the moment Cincinnati middle schooler Abby volunteers to chaperone new student Rory on her first day, the girls form a tight bond. In fact, they discover to their shock, their connection is just like the one their own dads had as kids before something caused a decisive break. Even now, meeting years later as coaches of nationally ranked basketball teams at rival colleges, Abby's dad won't shake hands with Rory's dad after a game. What happened? Neither of the fathers will talk about it. But as Rory and Abby gather clues and eventually suffer a traumatic break of their own, Bishop uses flashbacks to weave together two rich friendship stories that differ in detail but both turn on deep rifts caused by betrayals of trust-and, ultimately, are healed by talking things out. The struggles of the two daughters (both talented hoopsters themselves) with family and personal quandaries play out against a backdrop of March Madness, where their dads go head-to-head. Even though basketball's more a diversion than the main event here, there's some competitive action. The leads appear white; names and other cues identify significant characters of color in the supporting cast.Rich in tight bonds as well as savvy coaching on both game play and forgiveness. (Fiction. 10-14)

Gr 5–8— When Rory's dad moves them to Cincinnati to coach college basketball, Rory meets Avery, and they hit it off right away. Avery's father also coaches a college basketball team, which just happens to be the biggest rival of Rory's dad's team. While college basketball rivalries can run hot, the girls discover their fathers knew each other back when they were the girls' ages and have an even deeper grudge. How can they maintain their new friendship when the divide between their families runs so deep? Very loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, this story of friendship, forgiveness, and most of all, basketball, is a quick read that will connect with readers whether they are sports fans or not. The book is told in the alternating points of view of Abby and Rory but with some interspersed chapters from their fathers' perspectives from the early 1990s. As the girls grow closer in friendship and navigate middle school, they discover more about what tore their fathers apart way back when. There are a ton of teams and basketball superstars referenced in the book; some will not know every player, but a seasoned fan will enjoy the nods to the greats, both recent and past. The pacing is quick, and readers will not be bored with the family/friend drama and the basketball action. Abby and Rory are well-rounded characters with their flaws who come into their own as they realize how much one decision can change their whole lives. The theme of forgiveness explored with their fathers is an especially touching aspect of the novel. VERDICT A worthy purchase for sports fans and any reader interested in friendship stories.— Molly Dettmann