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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Colin Powell once said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” That quote is the very essence of Tryouts by Peter J. Stavros. It’s the story of a ninth-grade boy living in a small town who wishes to make the varsity basketball team—the same legendary team his father once played for. The first day of tryouts throws him into a series of “suicides,” drills, and tough coaching that push him past what he expected from the sport he loves. With each passing day, more players are cut, and as the group shrinks, the pressure grows. Will he make it? Will he live up to his father’s expectations?
Basketball is my favorite sport, so I was immediately drawn to Tryouts by Peter J. Stavros. The main character pulled me into it. I found myself relating to him, and I’m sure others will, too. Everyone has had an ambition they wanted to accomplish, and this story is realistic in showing it. It’s a bit like a coming-of-age story, but geared toward sport. I appreciated how it was rooted in the narrator’s head, letting his doubts, faith, and stubborn hope spill out. It’s a fast-paced read, and the writing is straightforward and conversational. By the end, I was rooting for him, and it left me thinking about the dreams we chase when we’re young and what they cost. Even if you’re not a basketball fan, you’ll recognize the feeling of trying to measure up. So, if you love stories with grit, intensity, and that “prove yourself” energy, this one delivers.
