Bubba & Giganto: Odds Against Them
By Lea Schizas
Synopsis of Book
Bubba hates it when his dad gets a contract for a new project. That means uprooting the family from one city and moving to another. Attending a new school is a major pet peeve of his. His smart alecky nature attracts the bullies in every school he’s attended.
On the first day of school, Bubba bumps into this rather large student. Fearing a confrontation, he wears his tough guy attitude and waits for the punches to begin. Remarkably, the new student apologizes, and Bubba and David (aka Giganto as Bubba eventually nicknames him) become best friends.
Bubba and Giganto try out for the high school soccer team, and that’s when trouble begins. Bubba knew eventually he’d meet the bullies of the school, and he was right.
In the first initial weeks, Bubba learns about a death that occurred the previous year; faces the bullies on several occasions; helps Giganto practice soccer before tryouts; and challenges the bullies to a scrimmage.
Little does Bubba know Giganto holds a secret - one that will place Giganto in a deadly situation.
Review of Bubba and Giganto by Nancy Famolari
Exciting soccer games, a special friendship, and a hint of mystery make Bubba and Giganto: Against the Odds a book that will win the hearts of middle-grade boys and girls. Bubba, a veteran of moves to new schools uses his skills as a soccer player to fit in to his new environment. He forms a friendship with Giganto, an over weight, shy boy who also has aspirations to play soccer. Some team members bully Giganto in an effort to keep him off the team. The mystery of why they are so down on him and the tactics Bubba uses to support his friend keep the reader turning the pages.
Lea Schizas, the author, has captured the world of high school athletes with believable characters and fast paced action scenes on the soccer field. The book is a good read, but in addition gives a profound look at the problem of bullying in schools. Many students are faced with the choice of whether to support the bully, stand up to him, or ignore the problem. Bubba is a role model for how to fight the bully, not with your fists, but with your brains, and most important how to support your friend.
Bubba and Giganto: would be an excellent choice for a class discussion in grades 6 – 8 on how to deal with bullying. The book is available from Amazon. More information is available on the author's blog: http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the wonderful review of this book. Lea sure knows how to tackle the tough issues.
ReplyDeleteI'll need to pick up a copy of this one so I can review it at The Book Connection.
Have fun on your tour, Lea!
Cheryl
Nice review, Nancy. This is a great story, Lea. I think everyone, kids and parents alike, should read it.
ReplyDeleteBev
Thanks for hosting Bubba & Giganto, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteOh, the book is also available through http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store_Books.html
Sounds like an excellent book dealing with a tough subject. Enjoy the rest of your blog tour, Lea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining Lea and me on the blog today. Bubba and Giganto is a great book. Both parents and kids should read it. I hope teachers take the hint in my review and start to use it in classrooms!
ReplyDeleteNancy
I want to thank everyone for stopping by today. Thank you, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteFictional characters have the power to bring situations to life for children and teens and that's why it's important for us, as writers, to offer storylines that are not only meaningful but fun for them to enjoy.
I had a blast writing Bubba and Giganto: Odds Against Us and the next book will be just as interesting.
This does sound like a great book to be used in the classrooms. I know the bullying problem is widespread. Good job!
ReplyDeletePam