SCPL Teens discussion

Comeback Challenge by Matt Christopher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Mark is a boy used to moving away. He’s had to move and live constantly away as his divorced parents use him as a toy to settle their own arguments. Needles to say, when Mark lives with his grandparents to settle out hs 7th grade year, he needs stability. He finds companionship in his former town(he lived in it when he was 4 for a short time), yet as he struggles for a place on the team, he senses someone against him. Mark must face the increasing intensity of his parent’s arguments, as well as his rivalry with another teammate.

I can totally relate to Mark in terms of merely doing your best and how in today’s world, that can get you some hatred. Matt Christopher manages to do an excellent job describing the action, since Mark is an attacking player, we get a much better view of the goals and etc. Yet unlike the last travesty, emotion is used sparingly but well to give you Mark’s perspective. Overall, in my opinion, emotion and sports are combined perfectly and not drawn out.

I loved Mark’s story and the impact Mark has on others, rather than others’s on Mark. It shows how good Mark’s character arc is, unlike Mac’s and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.