I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed the feel of this book, it had that element that I was looking for and was engaged from start to finish. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of them in this universe. Chad Morris and Shelly Brown were able to weave a strong storyline and enjoyed how good this was.

I’m trying to read more middle grade novels since I have a middle grade reader in our family now. So glad I picked this one up!

The Playmakers is about a group of high school kids who become unlikely friends when they band together to play

Favorite aspects:
🏀 Basketball drama
🎭 Acting competition
🏀 Positive representation of therapy
🎭 Accurate teenage humor (see the quote below for a great example!)
🏀 Statistics representation
🎭 Positive friendships
🏀 Forming a club
🎭 Helpful teachers

Favorite quote:
“I hate pantyhose in the winter.” As soon as the words came out, I groaned on the inside. I had that line crossed out on my copy, but I forgot to do it on the other two. Jax laughed so hard he fell out of his seat. “What’s pantyhose?” Nic asked. “Oh, I’m sorry,” I jumped in, hoping to keep this from spiraling out of control. “We’ll cut that line.” “Is it like a hose that shoots panties?” Nic asked. Jax laughed, then pretended to have a T-shirt cannon. “Pew—underwear! Pew-pew! Underwear, underwear!”

Content considerations- One of the characters chats with an AI companion when she is lonely. All the interactions are positive.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

“I don’t want you to ever quit trying.”

This is another fantastic book from my favorite middle grade writing duo. The two always show how perfect they are at writing for this audience. They’re always showing kids they can do hard things, and even though they won’t always be the very best or win every time, trying is so important.

There were many moments I enjoyed in this book. Especially when things didn’t go their way, both Jax and Luke took initiative to do what needed to be done. I loved the combo of basketball and acting. It worked. As much as I enjoyed Jax’s and Luke’s characters, Miley was a favorite with her stats and doodles and Nic was great too. He had some funny lines, but he shined at the end.

The book reads very fast and the dual POV moves the story along well. Not only did the kids standout, the adults are strong and good role models - Jax’s mom and Mr June!

I can’t wait for another book from Brown and Morris.

I received a paperback ARC from the publisher and a NetGalley approval. All views are my own.

The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, 256 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $19.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Jax (12yo) didn’t make the basketball team, Luke (12yo) didn’t make it into the musical, and if Miley (12yo) doesn’t make friends, then her parents will cut her from public school and homeschool Miley with her eye-rolling cousin. These middle schoolers are not friends, but now they each have reasons to need each other—if everyone is willing to be all in.
At first, it’s difficult for these characters to see where they could fit together, and the beauty is that their diverse team is then not confined to any one teammate’s home court. They bring together everyone’s strengths and support each other’s dreams—even when giving support means getting out of their comfort zones. I also love that Miley’s chapters are told through her notes and stick figure doodles.
Most of the characters are implied White, and Luke’s family comes from Estonians that moved to America. Also, there are a couple of characters that are described as Black or as having “dark brown” skin.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

A fun and engaging mix of basketball and theater in a multiple viewpoints plot.

Jax starts off the story. He loves basketball, but Jax and his friend Nic failed to make the roster for the middle school team. Jax’s mom has always been his biggest fan. She tries not to show her worries about maybe getting laid off from her job, making things even tighter financially for Jax and his little sister.

Next up is Luke who is tall but prefers acting instead of basketball. He auditioned for the school play and lost out to others, including his friends.

Both Jax and Luke are not happy about failing at what they do best. Jax decides to create his own team. He challenges the varsity players and coach in a game to prove how good his backup basketball team can be. He just has to recruit new players.

Luke agrees to join if Jax and Nic will perform with him in a regional drama competition. Just like Jax, he is wanting to prove a point that when he wins, everyone will agree he should have been chosen in the original tryouts.

Miley also takes some of the chapters. She presents her feelings with illustrations and conversations with an AI voice. She is not into basketball but is the smartest kid at the school. Lacking friends, Miley loves to study statistics so her task is to help Jax’s team with strategies based on her research.

They are all underdogs and you will be rooting for their success. Jax’s team turns out to be a feisty coed group of players, each with their unique personalities. Miranda and Charlotte are sure to step in when anyone hints at boys being better than girls.

The lead up to the basketball and acting competition is a compelling look at the pressure of doing well. It also brings about much conflict when Jax and Luke can’t get the internal fire of intensity in the other’s passion whether it be basketball for Luke or acting for Jax. THE PLAYMAKERS is a memorable story and one that will show readers how courage and struggle are important components of success.

I’ve read a number of books by Chad Morris and Shelly Morris, and they’re good at getting to the heart of their audience. By making basketball and theater main components of The Playmakers, they’ve created wide appeal.

The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Jax, Luke, and Miley. Though it’s fairly easy to discern who’s talking, it does make the story bounce around a bit. Jax and Luke’s narratives are fairly straightforward, while Miley’s unfolds through drawings, and a variety of formats like texting with an advice chatbot, and making lists. The trio are all driven in their own individual ways, and by working together the show perseverance.

The Playmakers moves quickly. At its heart, it’s a story of friendship, self-discovery and never giving up.

This book was a hard one to get through. It's really slow paced. I also was confused with the different perspectives. I had a hard time keeping track of who was who due to all the names being used as well.

✰ 3.5 stars ✰

“Play like you want it, with fire.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspirational, motivational, recreational. There's such a vindictive thrill cheering for the underdog, wanting and hoping that they'll triumph over their adversity and reign supreme and defy the odds of all those who looked down upon them. In their own area of talented expertise, seventh-graders Jax and Luke wanted to shine and be their best - give it their all and prove that whether it's on the basketball court or the theater stage - they belong here. 🏀🎭 That they've worked their butts off to earn the right to be in the spotlight - 'getting your head in the game is critical.'. But when that feeling is stolen from them, there is that combative urge that rises up to defeat those odds - to prove to the naysayers that they're just as capable and talented, even with their shortcomings. And they may be in completely different fields, but they each have something the other wants - well, needs to triumph in glory. It'll only take a lot of patience, a lot of skill, and a lot of learning from both sides if they want to join forces and prove to the school and themselves that they are The Playmakers that are here to stay. 😤

“Sometimes those who are overlooked turn out to be better than those who get all of the attention. Patience, my friend. Good things are coming your way.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I loved that when Jax was recruiting kids to be on his team to go up against the varsity-selected teammates that he and his best friend, Nic, failed to make the cut, there were girls on their team. Even though they did meet some confrontation, Miranda and Charlotte didn't waste any time whipping them into shape and putting them in their place at their rather myopic views on how to treat a lady. A lady-killer on the court, no less. ⛹️‍♀️👍🏻 'All I want is a shot.' Jax's optimism, enthusiasm, even daring to go up against the challenges was also really heartwarming and quite inspiring. He wasn't easily daunted, nor easily intimidated; despite his reservations about his short height, he stoutly was convinced that he could put together a winning team. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have Luke on their side; with his 6'3 frame, he'd be a shoo-in for a perfect center. If only he could let go of his idea of being a theater star. 🥺

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Luke's perspective was interesting and a lot more heartbreaking. I liked how he grew to respect basketball, as he drew similarities to acting. 'The crowd. The players. The energy. The scoreboard was all lit up. It was a big deal.' His loneliness of being the odd man out from his theater peers - the singular dislike from his drama teacher - he'll need Jax and Nic on his side so he can prove to her that he has what it takes to be a star. 😅🤝 Enlisting their help may be more difficult than he signed up for, especially when neither of them are putting in as much heart for their pantomime skit as they do win shooting the hoops. But, through hard work and grit, through arguments and quarrels, and most importantly, dedication and teamwork to put their whole heart and energy into it by being 'bigger, braver, crazier,' they might just make it work. 🙂‍↕️

“It takes timing, a willingness to do huge, fearless things. You can’t be scared about what other people think of you. You’ve got to really own it. Be in all the way.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I loved that the authors showed that boys cry. Yes, I know they do, but they were not afraid to show their tears of frustration or sadness or even that emotional vulnerability that allowed them to express their feelings honestly and openly. The bitter resentment of being rejected, when all they want is just the chance to be one of the team. 'This was so wrong. I was supposed to be there.' 😢 The humor and snark between Jax and Luke was on point of two complete opposites - butting heads, stubbornly resilient, but still finding that common ground that they were all in this together. 👌🏻 Even when they behaved pettily or childishly, it felt real. Jax and NIc's friendship, though, really was so wonderful. There was so much heart and trust to their loyalty to one another - the fierce solidarity that shined in their words and actions. That one poignant moment where Nic returned the kindness in such a caring and convincing manner really was very touching. ❤️‍🩹🫂

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The authors shed light on heavy and difficult matters with a gentle touch without allowing it to overtake the story. Bullying, insecurities, determination, and loneliness - the impending struggle of feeling left out. Kids with absentee parents in all forms, kids with devoted single parents with their own personal struggles, kids with teachers who can be the best of them, or the most disappointing of sorts. 😟 Mr.Juma, their English teacher and designated b-ball supervisor was truly a class act - supportive, inspiring and believing in them and learning from them how beautiful it is not to give up. Even though he may have delivered the weirdest pep talk to a basketball game ever, it is what invigorated everyone into a tour de force that was determined to remind everyone that they had proved they belonged here - even striking a fire within me. ❤️‍🔥😆

“Sometimes, with things like the game tonight,” Mr. Juma said, “if you win, your fire burns really hot. And if you lose, you might be tempted then to let your fire burn out.”

“Don’t burn out. No matter what happens tonight.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ What I struggled with was Miley's perspective, their introverted classmate, who joins them as a strategist and analyst, in the hopes that her parents won't make her go into home-school, if they know that their quiet and withdrawn child is finally making friends - that she has a place to belong. It's not the story-line I had issues with and how her role was an important one, but rather the interactive way in which it was shown; drawings and notes and such. 😕 Maybe it was to fit her personality, or to add like intervals for Jax and Luke's alternating perspectives, but I think if it had been written the same way, it would have impacted me more. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It also, imo, affected Luke's perspective a bit, because I did not feel as wholly satisfied with how his own personal insecurities were resolved. I wanted a bit of a confrontation, or even a real acknowledgment from his teacher that he had proven himself worthy; but I guess, that would have been too unrealistically soon to believe. 😔

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Despite my qualms with the written portrayal, I had no issue with the character, Miley. So many kids at this age feel lost and uncertain where they fit in, second-guessing everything! 😣 And to see her find her place is definitely something to celebrate. Just as heartwarming it was to cheer on Jax and Luke, as they worked hard to earn a second chance, as they fought to claim their rightful place - even if it didn't come with the triumphant results they wanted, it's truly a memorable example of how the struggle is the glory. 🌟

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.