Journal Entry 1 by indygo88 from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Sunday, April 03, 2011

"Sam Pickett never expected to settle in this dried-up shell of a town on the western edge of the world. He's come here to hide from the violence and madness that have shattered his life, but what he finds is what he least expects. There's a spirit that endures in Willow Cree, Montana. It seems that every inhabitant of this forgotten outpost has a story, a reason for taking a detour to this place--or a reason for staying.

As the coach of the hapless high school basketball team (zero wins, ninety-three losses), Sam can't help but be moved by the bravery he witnesses in the everyday lives of people--including his own young players--bearing their sorrows and broken dreams. How do they carry on, believing in a future that seems to be based on the flimsiest of promises? Drawing on the strength of the boys on the team, sharing the hope they display despite insurmountable odds, Sam finally begins to see a future worth living."

Received through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program!

 

Journal Entry 2 by indygo88 at Lafayette, Indiana USA on Friday, April 22, 2011

This was a feel-good, root-for-the-underdog kind of book. Reminscent of the movie "Hoosiers", it follows a (VERY) small Montana high school attempting to keep its basketball program alive.

Alas, it's often predictable and was drawn out much longer than it needed to be. While I wouldn't call the writing stellar, and the reader (in the audio edition) was somewhat annoying at times (most often when trying to simulate Dean's freshman, squeaky voice), the characters were memorable & I found myself sad to say goodbye to them at the end of the story. Olaf, the Norwegian "Oaf", was by far my favorite character.

If you enjoy rooting for the underdog, this is a good book for you. However, you also better enjoy high school basketball, because there's a fair amount of it in this book. 

Journal Entry 3 by indygo88 at Lafayette, Indiana USA on Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Placing into booklady331's audio box. 

Journal Entry 4 by booklady331 at Cape Coral, Florida USA on Monday, January 09, 2012

Arrived home in my CD only bookbox. I am going to keep this one to listen to. It sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 5 by booklady331 at Cape Coral, Florida USA on Thursday, January 19, 2012

Released 4 mos ago (1/19/2012 UTC) at Cape Coral, Florida USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Enjoy! Lent to a friend and her husband. When she finishes, she will return to me to listen to. 

Journal Entry 6 by booklady331 at Cape Coral, Florida USA on Monday, March 05, 2012

My friend and her husband loved this book. I am putting on my pile to listen to.