THE BACKYARD FIVE

by William R. Cox ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1973

Counting the second team (this should actually be called the Backyard Ten), the Spartans run the full spectrum of recognizable on-court types, including the bookworm, the tough guy, the short rich kid and two cleancut stars -- one white, one black. For good measure, Cox throws in an elkhound mascot and a tomboy booster and makes one of the Spartan coaches a real life movie stunt man. The high pressure father of the rival team's star shooter has, of course, a phobia about dogs and backs off a cliff only to be rescued by Coach Jock in a demonstration of Hollywood style heroism. Most kids will be less sympathetic with all these extras than with the frustration of second stringer Gus who just wants to spend more time handling the ball.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dodd, Mead

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1973

Categories: FICTION