Books › Taking Sides
Taking Sides
176 pages
A grounded, heartfelt exploration of what it means to be caught between two worlds, anchored by the familiar rhythm of a bouncing basketball.
What it feels like
This is a deeply grounded, character-driven story that perfectly captures the quiet ache of leaving home and the messy reality of outgrowing your comfort zone. The narrative moves at a steady, deliberate pace, mirroring the rhythmic bounce of a basketball on blacktop as it explores the friction between old loyalties and new beginnings. It feels earnest and reflective, wrapping the reader in a conflicted but ultimately hopeful atmosphere where every game played is about much more than the final score. The prose is accessible and unpretentious, laced with authentic cultural touchstones that bring the protagonist's dual worlds to life. It will deeply resonate with young readers who love sports fiction that doubles as a thoughtful exploration of class, identity, and the search for belonging.
- Mood
- conflicted
- hopeful
- nostalgic
- community-focused
- Tone
- earnest
- reflective
- grounded
- empathetic
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- navigating dual identities · the meaning of loyalty · class differences · finding belonging · the unifying power of sports
- The writing
- Accessible and straightforward, the narrative is enriched with authentic cultural details and the rhythmic language of the basketball court.
- The arc
- The protagonist moves from a deep sense of displacement and fractured loyalty toward a grounded acceptance of his multifaceted identity.
- Who it's for
- Middle grade readers and young teens who love sports stories that tackle real-world issues of class, race, and belonging.
Content notes
- classism
- mild racial tension
- bullying
About the book
Fourteen-year-old Lincoln Mendoza, an aspiring basketball player, must come to terms with his divided loyalties when he moves from the Hispanic inner city to a white suburban neighborhood.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Taking Sides
See why they match
Buried onionsGary SotoA sun-baked, sorrowful exploration of a young man trying to outrun the cycle of violence in his neighborhood.
Novio BoyGary SotoA warm, laugh-out-loud glimpse into the frantic, sweaty-palmed world of a first teenage date.
Brothers in ArmsPaul Langan and Ben AlirezA tense, emotionally charged exploration of grief and the heavy cost of revenge.
Any Small GoodnessTony JohnstonA warm, accessible slice of neighborhood life that celebrates family, friendship, and the everyday triumphs of growing up.
The Moves Make the ManBruce BrooksA sensitive, grounded exploration of a fragile bond forged on the basketball court amidst the heavy weight of emotional turmoil.
The FallenPaul LanganA tense, emotionally charged exploration of a teenager navigating profound grief while dodging the immediate, physical dangers of his neighborhood.