{"product_id":"falling-short-isbn-9780062881731","title":"Falling Short","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErnesto Cisneros, Pura Belpré Award-winning author of \u003cem\u003eEfrén Divided\u003c\/em\u003e, is back with a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways. A great next pick for readers who loved \u003cem\u003eGhost \u003c\/em\u003eby Jason Reynolds or\u003cem\u003e The First Rule of Punk\u003c\/em\u003e by Celia C. Pérez. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIsaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home—not without each other’s help. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\"Cisneros always writes characters full of foibles and humor and human warmth, and he really knows his basketball.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCarlos Hernandez, Pura Belpré-winning author of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"With characters so true to life that they practically jump off the page, \u003cem\u003eFalling Short\u003c\/em\u003e is the perfect balance of humor and heart. If books were basketball, author Ernesto Cisneros just made a slam dunk.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSarah Scheerger, author of Operation Frog Effect\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"A beautiful Latinx novel about friendship, determination, and the gift of self-acceptance. Cisneros knocks down a game winner with \u003cem\u003eFalling Short\u003c\/em\u003e.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNewbery Medalist Matt de la Peña\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Cisneros’ touching sophomore novel is an ideal pick for sports fans and will reel in reluctant readers.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"A well-told story of family, friends, basketball, and life.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"In this novel told through the alternating points of view of both protagonists, readers will closely follow the struggles and insecurities both characters experience while also observing a beautiful and endearing friendship. Cisneros has once again written an inspiring story that will have an immense emotional effect on all who read it.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"At every turn, Isaac and Marco support each other in this affirming story of basketball, middle school, friendship, and family, and choosing kindness and determination over easy cowardice or cruelty.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Told through animated alternating first-person chapters, Cisneros’s story not only captures the anxiety—and at times, humor—of trying to measure up to expectations, it also tackles delicate subject matter, such as parental absence and alcohol reliance, with profound sensitivity and nuance. A narrative slam dunk for fans of Donna Barba Higuera and Meg Medina.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Quill Tree Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44890385187045,"sku":"NP9780062881731","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062881731.jpg?v=1730233164","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/falling-short-isbn-9780062881731","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}