Home Games by Benjamin Markovits

Reviewed by Finlay

"‘Home games’ is a brilliant novel written by Benjamin Markovits. The story is based around basketball and is set in America.

Ben is a twelve year old boy from New York but when his parents get divorced he goes to Texas with his mum, who grew up there. He faces a load of challenges about finding his feet in a new place. I think that it is for people who are facing new situations like moving home and finding new friends. It is the kind of book that does not need a sequel because it just finishes in a nice way.

Home Games is a brilliant book about moving and learning new things as well as having family arguments but we all have these! I don’t know of any books that are quite like it."

Book Description

Award-winning adult author Benjamin Markovits delivers a poignant coming-of-age middle grade story that will give comfort to anyone feeling like a small fish in a Texas-size sea. Perfect for fans of Kevin Henkes, Rebecca Stead, and Kate DiCamillo. Twelve-year-old Ben is a shy, quiet kid.

His life isn't perfect, but he feels at home in his New York City apartment. Then his dad takes a job in London, and everything changes. His parents separate, and Ben's mom moves them back to her hometown of Austin, Texas.

Ben's simple life is suddenly complicated. He misses his apartment, his best friend, Jake, and his dad. Then he meets Mabley, who becomes a bright spot to Ben's day.

But when his mom starts working at his new school and making friends with his teacher, Ben finds himself at the center of all the problems the adults around him can't resolve-and even some of his own. That includes joining the school's basketball team, where Mabley's best friend is the star player. After being pushed around, looking for his place, Ben will have to learn how to stand his ground.

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