One big theme that I picked up from this book is to never give up. Danny never gave up on trying to be on the travel team. Just because he was shorter than most of his friends teammates and people on the other teams he didn't quit or give up on it. Even though I don't think he would have had much of a choice to quit or stay because of the motivation from his dad, I still dont think he would have given up or quit without the motivation.
Another theme that I thought of from reading this book is: do not let your weaknesses or disabilities get in the way of you doing what you want to do. I think this really relates to Danny because he did not let being short or weak get in the way of him playing basketball. Danny also fought through all the people taller bigger and stronger than him. Danny still practiced for hours to get everything down so he could get better for the next tryout or the next time he plays in a game.
A third theme that I came up with while I was reading this book is to make up for your weaknesses. Danny made up for being short, small, and weak by being quick, having a good ability to pass the ball, and ball handling skills. The author even said in the beginning of the book that he would get picked early in pick up games because he was a good passer and the people on his team knew they were going to get the ball if they had him on there team, because he was a good ball handler, and because he was good besides that.That is a trait that he carried over from his father. I think that because in an interview of a teammate from when his father was still playing he said that he had big hands and made up from being short, two things that Danny carried over.
Out of all the themes that I came up with I think the last one means the most to me. If someone makes up for there weaknesses they won't be as weak or bad off in certain situations. Making up for your weaknesses won't make you seem as bad or stupid too. And after you make up for all your weaknesses you won't have any more weaknesses anyway,
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Choice Book Report Part 1: Travel Team by Mike Lupica
The main character in my book is Danny Walker. Danny is an insperational person with a big heart and an open mind. He never gave up on basketball even after he didn't make the twelve-year-old travel team for a year. Danny is constantly reminded and criticized about his size, but he doesnt let that get in the way of him playing bsaketball, the game he loves.
I think Danny feels a lot of pressure on him because of how good his dad was at the game of basketball. Danny's dad, Richie Walker, was an NBA player and won the national championship for the same team that Danny didn't make. Danny's mother, Ali, has a few opinions about his father like how he thinks Danny is one of the "boys" and how he is only happy when he is with the "boys". Danny's father is also the head coach on the basketball team he did not make.
Another thing that I think puts pressure on Danny is that he is trying to impress his dad too much. An example of this is in the beginning of the book Danny is shooting baskets in his back yard and his dad comes back to watch him. Danny misses the first few shots he takes and feels bad about it. The author then says that he helplessly tried to make the next shot which luckily he did make. After that he tells his dad that he didn't make the travel team and he breaks out crying. Earlier in the book the author had even said that Danny hardly ever cries, especially in front of his parents. I think that shows how much approval he wants from his dad.
Another thing that I noticed that affects him is that his parents are divorced. This also adds on to what I said about him trying to impress his dad because he doesnt live with him and everytime he sees him he trys to be better than the last time he saw him. He also relies on his mom a lot and is somewhat of a "momma's boy".
I say that because the author mentioned that he crys to his mom a lot.
Over all I could relate a lot to Danny because of how he trys to impress people especially in basketball. The author also mentions that he is a really strong hearted kid and that he will do whatever it takes to satisfy himself and others, and I think thats a very good trait.
I think Danny feels a lot of pressure on him because of how good his dad was at the game of basketball. Danny's dad, Richie Walker, was an NBA player and won the national championship for the same team that Danny didn't make. Danny's mother, Ali, has a few opinions about his father like how he thinks Danny is one of the "boys" and how he is only happy when he is with the "boys". Danny's father is also the head coach on the basketball team he did not make.
Another thing that I think puts pressure on Danny is that he is trying to impress his dad too much. An example of this is in the beginning of the book Danny is shooting baskets in his back yard and his dad comes back to watch him. Danny misses the first few shots he takes and feels bad about it. The author then says that he helplessly tried to make the next shot which luckily he did make. After that he tells his dad that he didn't make the travel team and he breaks out crying. Earlier in the book the author had even said that Danny hardly ever cries, especially in front of his parents. I think that shows how much approval he wants from his dad.
Another thing that I noticed that affects him is that his parents are divorced. This also adds on to what I said about him trying to impress his dad because he doesnt live with him and everytime he sees him he trys to be better than the last time he saw him. He also relies on his mom a lot and is somewhat of a "momma's boy".
I say that because the author mentioned that he crys to his mom a lot.
Over all I could relate a lot to Danny because of how he trys to impress people especially in basketball. The author also mentions that he is a really strong hearted kid and that he will do whatever it takes to satisfy himself and others, and I think thats a very good trait.
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