Adam Reed, formerly Adam Sobieski, spent his childhood in Poland in less-than-ideal circumstances. Now that he has been adopted by Renata, his American mother, he lives in Minnesota and attends the local high school, where he is an up-and-coming basketball star and best friend to outsider Barry, who has a number of family issues himself. Though Adam knows that basketball is his passport to all the good things life has to offer, and has in fact been invited to join a prestigious travel team called the Fury, there are some roadblocks standing between him and success. He lacks confidence in his skills as an English speaker, so he often does not talk to his classmates or teammates, leading them to assume he is either disabled in some way or a snob. He also has problems managing his anger and worries about losing his temper as he sometimes did in Poland, which would jeopardize his career. With the help of Carli Anderson, another basketball star who has great empathy for Adam, and his teammates on the Fury, Adam slowly begins to come to terms with his past and to come into his own as both a person and a basketball player.

Question

include 1 universal questions that the text makes you think about.
These are not simple questions. Books often provoke readers to think about issues in the world. What is one question your book makes you think about humanity/world?

state a theme (fiction) of the book in one, complete sentence and label it.

Under each adjective, in a well-developed sentence, explain how this adjective (descriptive word) relates to your book.

Answer 1

Universal Question:

How do we overcome the challenges of our past and build a future where we feel accepted and understood?

Theme:

The theme of the book is that personal growth and acceptance often stem from overcoming one's past struggles and the importance of supportive relationships in this journey.

Adjectives:

1. Resilient: Adam demonstrates resilience through his determination to succeed in basketball despite his tumultuous past in Poland and the ongoing struggles he faces with language barriers and emotional control. His journey illustrates that resilience is not just about facing challenges head-on but also about learning and adapting from them with the help of others.

2. Isolated: Initially, Adam's isolation is evident in the way he refrains from engaging with his peers due to his lack of confidence in speaking English. This self-imposed isolation leads to misinterpretations by his classmates, who see him as aloof rather than as someone struggling with adjustment—highlighting how feelings of alienation can inhibit personal connections and growth.

3. Empathetic: Carli Anderson embodies empathy as she reaches out to Adam, offering support and understanding that extends beyond the basketball court. Her ability to see past Adam's struggles allows him to gradually open up, demonstrating how empathy can bridge gaps between people and foster meaningful relationships that enhance personal development.

4. Ambitious: Adam's ambition drives him to join the prestigious travel team, the Fury, as he recognizes that basketball is his avenue to a brighter future. This ambition compels him to confront his fears and setbacks, portraying the idea that ambition, when paired with perseverance and support, can lead to profound transformation in one's life.

5. Struggling: Throughout the story, Adam grapples with his anger issues and self-doubt, showcasing the ongoing struggle many individuals face in reconciling their past with their present aspirations. This theme of struggle serves as a reminder that personal growth often comes from navigating difficult emotions and experiences, and with support, one can learn to manage these challenges effectively.