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Just Kickin' It

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Jesse is a sneakerhead without the sneakers.

After his parents were killed in an accident three years ago, Jesse went to live with his grandfather, and it wasn't long before the insurance money ran out. That meant no money for new threads or fresh kicks. Now with summer in swing, Jesse has been saving for new sneakers. He'll finally be able to keep up with the rest of the kids at his school, especially his best friend, Tay Matthews, whose sneaker collection could be housed in a museum. But then his grandpa's WiFi is cut off and Jesse has to hand over his savings to pay the bill. It looks like Jesse's plan for new shoes is trashed. That's until nineteen-year-old smooth-talking Derick rolls into town. With new threads and a fresh ride, Derick shows the boys there's more than one way to get what you want. And Jesse must decide how much he is willing to pay.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

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    • Kirkus

      December 15, 2024
      A teenage boy's love of sneakers leads him to face a moral dilemma. Sixteen-year-old Jesse is a Black sneakerhead who has lived with his grandfather ever since his parents were killed in a tragic auto accident, turning his life upside down. Apart from Grandpa, one constant in Jesse's life has been his love for sneakers, something that connects him to his late father, who even wanted to name him Jordan after his favorite shoes. Finances are a constant struggle for Grandpa and Jesse, which isn't the case for Tay, Jesse's best friend, whose well-off family is able to buy him new sneakers every month. One day Jesse gets a tempting proposal from Derick, a slightly older guy who's an acquaintance of Tay's. Derick explains his plan for stealing cash from local store owner Mr. Yang, using Jesse as his accomplice. Will the temptation prove too much for Jesse to resist--or will he follow his conscience? In Jesse, readers meet a protagonist whose desires and internal conflicts feel authentic. Thompson highlights the ways the cards we're dealt in life influence the choices we make. She also explores themes of loss, grief, peer pressure, morality, and the effects of socioeconomic status while maintaining an accessible and appealing writing style. A reluctant reader-friendly story with heart, realistic tensions, and meaningful messages to ponder.(Fiction. 12-18)

      COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      December 1, 2024

      Gr 6 Up-A haunted house streamer encounters a real ghost. A high school boy angers a super-sentient AI. Another young man falls in with a bad crowd. Two neurodivergent brothers must survive in a terrible storm. All these stories are modern and relevant, with some, obviously, being more realistic than others, but an important kernel of truth lies at the heart of all these stories, even the sci-fi and fantasy ones. The writing is high-quality across the board: believable dialogue, layered characters, and fast-moving plots. However, made-up video games and social media sites like "Outlaw Auto" and "VidVibe" feel corny and misplaced. Some of the books tackle heavy themes like racial profiling, gang violence, economic struggles, foster care, mental health. Some of the stories even have abrupt or depressing endings, no tidy resolutions, just like real life. VERDICT Just Kickin' It, despite having the worst title of the bunch, is the standout story. All have appeal.

      Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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Languages

  • English

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