Hoops of Steel    by John Foley Order:  USA  Can Flux, 2007 (2007) Paperback     Reviewed by Lyn Seippel Jackson's senior year of high school is overshadowed by something that happened at home during his junior year. His family has since split up, with his dad moving to California and his mother moving his sister to a nearby town. Jackson is fortunate to have Granny, who opens her home to him even though they are not really related. He also has basketball and, like every high school player, he hopes he can parley his talent into a college scholarship. His love for basketball and the Zen feeling he gets when shooting baskets sees him through anger and depression whenever it creeps up on him. In the wealthy community of Highland where Jackson lives, he has no friends except Granny, but in neighboring Midland, he finds a group of friends on the basketball court. His school year is rough and it gets rougher. His Midland friends are there to support him and Jackson finds that he can offer his own support when needed. In spite of mistakes that shatter his self-confidence on and off the basketball court, Jackson learns to follow his heart. Hoops of Steel is a different kind of sports novel. It's not predictable and the ending doesn't go where you might expect. The characters are rich and well-drawn except for Granny whose backstory - and reasons for taking in a troubled teenager - aren't mentioned. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews