Night Hoops – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Night Hoops

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2009

82%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Basketball action meets real-world grit in a story about two kids who have nothing in common except a jump shot and some heavy baggage.

Night Hoops

book

2009

82%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Basketball action meets real-world grit in a story about two kids who have nothing in common except a jump shot and some heavy baggage.

4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Carl Deuker is the king of the 'not-just-a-sports-book' genre. Night Hoops doesn't shy away from the fact that life can be a bit of a grind, especially when your parents are splitting up or your teammates are difficult.

It’s a 2009 title, so there’s no TikTok or smartphone drama, which actually makes it a nice break from the modern noise. If you have a kid who would rather be at the YMCA than reading a book, this is the Trojan horse that might actually get them to stay in their seat and finish a chapter.

Age Fit

Best for ages 11 to 16. It hits that sweet spot for middle schoolers who are starting to realize that adult lives—and their own friendships—can be complicated.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It models an unlikely friendship and personal accountability, though it doesn't sugarcoat the reality of a messy home life or a difficult teammate.

Imaginative

Standard realistic fiction. It doesn't break new ground in storytelling, but it vividly recreates the high-stakes feel of a high school gym.

Safe

It's a book from 2009—no algorithms or chat rooms here. It deals with heavy themes like divorce and aggression, but it's well within the bounds for its middle-school target.

Enriching

Excellent for building empathy. It forces the reader to look past a 'bad kid' stereotype to see the trauma underneath.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The basketball sequences feel authentic and intense, not like a cheesy sports movie.
It tackles the 'messy' side of friendship where you don't always even like the person you're helping.
Perfect for 'reluctant readers' who live at the gym but hate the library.
Deals with divorce and family stress in a way that feels honest to a teenager's perspective.

⚠

What to Watch For

Trent is a 'rough around the edges' character with some legal and behavioral baggage that might spark questions.
The family dynamics are pretty tense—the book doesn't offer easy, happy-ending solutions for the parents' marriage.

Conversation Starters

"Do you think Nick really liked Trent, or did he just need him to win games?"
"Why do you think some kids act out or get aggressive when things are going wrong at home?"
"What would you do if a teammate was incredibly talented but a total nightmare to be around?"
"Is it possible to be a good friend to someone who keeps pushing you away?"

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