The summer program Elvin Bishop is attending at Flagship Academy turns out to be a glorified sports camp, where each incoming freshman must find his athletic "slot". That's a problem when you're a wisecracking, overweight sports incompetent. But as Elvin bounces from sport to sport, he learns a surprising lesson--sometimes real strength comes from knowing when not to play the game. A 1996 ALA Best Book for Young Adults. A 1996 ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Readers. A 1995 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book.
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The summer program Elvin Bishop is attending at Flagship Academy turns out to be a glorified sports camp, where each incoming freshman must find his athletic "slot". That's a problem when you're a wisecracking, overweight sports incompetent. But as Elvin bounces from sport to sport, he learns a surprising lesson--sometimes real strength comes from knowing when not to play the game. A 1996 ALA Best Book for Young Adults. A 1996 ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Readers. A 1995 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
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Fine. No dust jacket as issued. Very light edge wear; no marks or creases. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 256 p. Audience: Children/juvenile.
ISBN 0064471403 - Books that have gotten multiple awards are usually surrounded by such an aura of "You HAVE to like this book!" that I find my expectations too high. Slot Machine seemed to be one of those - A Best Book for Young Adults, Young Adult Choices for 1997, Winner of a 1995 Bulletin Blue Ribbon, and A Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers... that's a lot to live up to! To my surprise, it does!
Elvin and his friends go to a summer retreat known as Twenty-One Nights with the Knights. Elvin's got a negative outlook from the start and things immediately live down to that perspective. Not, in any way, athletic, Elvin struggles as he is pushed to fit into a "slot". Everyone, they tell him, has a slot - and all of those slots are athletic. After proving that he's definitely not an athlete, and making an unpleasant discovery about the "in" crowd guys, he reaches bottom. And he finds that he likes it there! He's not alone, and it's clearly his "slot".
I can see why Slot Machine would get a Reluctant Reader award - Elvin might be more of a misfit than the reader, but almost every young adult FEELS like a misfit at some time! He's a funny character, with a bit of the smart-aleck. Lynch does a really nice job with all his characters, leaving me wishing for a peek at next year's Twenty-One Nights with the Knights.
