cover image Carson Chooses Forgiveness: A Team Dungy Story About Basketball

Carson Chooses Forgiveness: A Team Dungy Story About Basketball

Tony Dungy and Lauren Dungy, illus. by Guy Wolek. Harvest Kids, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-7369-7322-9

Married coauthors Lauren and football Hall-of-Famer Tony Dungy offer the third installment in a sports-themed series. For a boy named Carson, playing basketball with the Trentwood Tigers isn’t as much fun as it used to be: star player Daniel is arrogant on the court, building himself up and putting others down. When he refuses to pass to Carson, claiming that “Carson hasn’t made a shot in forever,” Coach Tony calls Daniel out. During a game, Carson and his teammates ostracize Daniel, which results in the whole team suffering. But the coaches speak to the teammates about the importance of forgiving others and offering mutual support to achieve common goals. Despite an overall stiffness to the artwork and the volume’s pedantic tone, the Dungys’ message to readers is nevertheless authentic. Ages 6–9. (Aug.)