Jackson’s family has been torn apart by his father’s alcoholism.  The only thing that keeps him going is his love of basketball.  As a senior, he’s hoping for a starting position and a college scholarship.  What will Jackson do when his senior year doesn’t turn out like he thought it would?

In Hoops of Steel and its sequel, Running with the Wind, Foley dives right into what it means to be an isolated, misunderstood high school boy.  At times he goes into a little too much detail for me about the intricacies of being a high school male.  But the books are honest and Jackson is a very real character with whom boys will be able to identify.  These books would be excellent for an older reluctant reader.