This is a historical school story combining basketball, friendship and a risky practical joke. Manny’s wish to stay connected to his friends leads to invented sports reporting, while wartime uncertainty affects family conversations and everyday choices.
More about this book
"It is 1942, and Manny Keefer, cut from his sophomore basketball team, decides to volunteer to be team manager to keep up with his friends Wally and Felix, who are still on the team. As World War II changes the entire world around him, his own life is changing just as drastically. When the sports editor of the Daily News announces that he'll be printing news and scores from all local high schools, Manny sees an opportunity to turn his friends into stars. But when the editor says their private school isn't big enough for any stories, Manny and his friends create a fictitious team and begin feeding the editor stories about it--soon giving their nonexistent team the best record in the state. As the fake team gains recognition all around the community, the joke begins to spiral out of Manny's control. What will happen when his deception is discovered? Based on a true story of American life during World War II, this novel tells the story of the creation of a phantom high school basketball team that jeopardizes friendships and much more."--Provided by publisher.
FriendshipThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.Team membershipThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.RecognitionThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Social conflictFear and suspenseFamily disruption
Personalised Fit
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friendshipteam membershiprecognitionlyingambitionconsequencesSecond World Warfamilyfearcommunity
FictionNovel
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Themes in Context
Belonging and exclusion
After being cut from the basketball team, Manny becomes manager and creates a fictitious team to stay connected with Wally and Felix.Provisional readingProvisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.Provisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.
Talk about: Does Manny find a responsible way to belong, and how do his friends respond to his choices?
Deception and responsibility
Manny and his friends feed a sports editor stories about a team that does not exist, and the hoax grows beyond their control.Provisional readingProvisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.Provisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.
Talk about: If the truth comes out, how are responsibility and trust handled?
War and ordinary family life
The story is set in 1942; Manny’s household discusses Pearl Harbor, possible attacks, secrecy and his brother’s enlistment.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The opening places wartime events alongside domestic routines, showing how public danger enters family conversation and personal life.
Talk about: How does the story balance historical events with Manny’s everyday concerns?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
Readers may find the tension between belonging and honesty engaging, especially as a small joke gains public recognition. The period setting also opens space to discuss how war can alter ordinary family life.
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What Deserves Attention
The book may deserve attention where deception becomes difficult to control, friendships are put at risk, and wartime fear enters family life. The opening also includes a competitive basketball collision and a reference to Pearl Harbor.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does Manny understand the difference between helping his friends, seeking recognition and misleading others? If the deception is discovered, what does the story suggest about repair and responsibility?
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Reading Approach
Pause after the early basketball and family scenes to discuss what Manny wants and what pressures surround him. Later, compare the joke’s effects on friends, the community and his sense of responsibility.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Belonging and exclusion: The ending and the friends’ eventual responses are not provided.
Deception and responsibility: The discovery, consequences and resolution of the hoax are not included.
War and ordinary family life: Only the opening wartime treatment is available; the wider historical scope and later emotional impact are unclear.
Book information
Limited information
Relevant to: Belonging and exclusion; Deception and responsibility
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