"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!

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.

Placing into booklady331's audio box.

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.

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

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

Began the book today. I listen to it when I am working around so not sure how long it will take me.

I enjoy routing for the underdog. Just as my family. I agree with indygo88 that the book is a feel-good kind of book. There was way too much basketball for my liking hence the 7. Trust to find a new home in the BC family for the book.

Enjoy! to imawinn2

Thanks for sending this one my way booklady331. Gotta love those "feel good" stories. Looking forward to giving this one a listen.

I really liked this book. It wasn't the best written book I have ever read but the story was so touching and emotionally charged. Having grown up with two brother's who played basketball in a small school, and having dabbled in the sport myself, I enjoyed and appreciated the game scenes, the hard practice and creative training sessions, and wonderful small town fans and interesting personalities of Willow Creek, Montana. All this on top of the feel-good, Cinderella storyline itself. The Willow Creek townsfolk drew me in and I fell in love with them, esp. Grandma Chapman. I would love to see this book made into a movie. Blind Your Ponies tugs at the ol' heartstrings like my other favorite sport movies such as: Rudy, Hoosiers, Remember the Titans and Radio. I hated to say goodbye to the Willow Creek folk when I finished this audiobook.

Sending this audiobook out to dabercro. It was chosen from Booklady331's CD Only VBB. Enjoy! Happy Travels.

This was waiting for me at the post office when I returned from vacation. Thanks for sending.

I really enjoyed listening to this book on my work commutes. It was a long book but I enjoyed it from beginning to end. As stated by previous journallers, it is a feel good book. I found myself rooting for the underdog basketball team and really caring for them and the townsfolk. Not only was this book about an underdog small town basketball team, we get to know and care for the people of Willow Creek. Many had problems of their own that they were living with and various reasons for living in Willow Creek.

Passing on to Aberpeter when I visit her.

thank you dabercro