Dressed to Play
Dressed to Play
Whenever Number 5 came down the court with the ball, Jordan could tell she was just waiting for Samira to ease off on defense. And Samira did, every single time. Jordan was getting frustrated with Samira. Just like at practice, it seemed that she wasn’t even trying. Twice Jordan had caught Samira checking out the boys’ team in the bleachers.
Coach Banford noticed it, too. “Stick with her, Samira! Focus!”
But it didn’t work. Samira kept playing in the same half-hearted way. She carried herself on the court in a way that was unlike the old Samira Jordan had known since primary grades. In the past, Samira had always moved in a casual, playful way. Now she acted as if – Jordan couldn’t put her finger on it – as if Samira thought she was being watched all the time.
As if she’s posing for a camera, Jordan thought.
“What do you think about switching checks with me?” Jordan asked Samira at half-time.
“What do you think about passing a little more?” Samira snapped.
“I am passing.”
“To Mayleen,” Samira said.
“You’re never open.”
Jordan wanted to add, You aren’t even trying to get open. But she bit her tongue and walked away.
Jordan has always loved playing basketball, and she’s very good at the sport. Not only is she on the grade nine girls’ basketball team, she is captain of the team. Being in grade nine has brought about a lot of changes for Jordan and her friends, including heading off to high school. There are a lot of adjustments to be made, and, suddenly, Jordan’s friends, whom she’s known her whole life, seem to be changing.
Jordan has always counted on basketball to be her rock in troubled times but now she isn’t so sure. For one thing, many of the other girls on the team are suddenly paying way too much attention to boys. Instead of choosing a sensible basketball uniform of loose-fitting shorts and tunic, the girls, when given the opportunity, vote overwhelmingly to purchase and wear tight short-shorts and a skimpy top. Jordan is disgusted by this new uniform and finds it too tight to move as freely as she is used to. Jordan is also being called names like ‘Jordan the Jock’ and is accused of being gay since she takes basketball so seriously. In addition, she is accused of being muscular and not caring about her appearance because she loves playing basketball and is a formidable contender on the court. On top of that, there is a boy who seems to like her, and this only adds to Jordan’s confusion. When things build to a head, Jordan decides that basketball is the problem. She quits the team just before a very important game.
Dressed to Play is one of Lorimer “Sports Stories” books. Full of action, it is a relatively short book with vocabulary within reach of most middle years reading levels. Much of the story takes place during basketball games, and readers will feel as if they are right in the middle of a game! When Jordan and her friends aren’t playing a real game, they are often at practices in the gym or playing basketball for fun at Jordan’s house. The story truly revolves around basketball.
Even though much of the story takes place on a basketball court, the characters are realistic and deal convincingly with real-life problems young readers might face: harassment, bullying, and the unfair view point that women shouldn’t sweat, shouldn’t build muscles, and shouldn’t try too hard to be athletic. The story doesn’t preach but instead includes scenes of Jordan thinking about and admiring women who play basketball professionally. As well, during her crisis, Jordan goes to a women’s college basketball game. After the game, she meets the players and gets inspired by them. In the meantime, the school counselor encourages Jordan to think about applying for a scholarship to play basketball in a few years’ time.
Dressed to Play is very well-written. The author has done an admirable job of creating an exciting and interesting story with genuine characters who deal with pertinent issues in effective ways.
Mary Harelkin Bishop is the author of the “Tunnels of Moose Jaw Adventure” series published by Coteau Books as well as many other books, including her two newest books Mistasinîy: Buffalo Rubbing Stone and Skye Bird and the Eagle Feather. She has recently retired after 35+ years as teacher-librarian, literacy teacher and educational consultant. Always busy and interested in kids and writing, she is currently undertaking writing projects with schools. She is looking forward to spending more time writing, giving writers’ workshops and playing with grandchildren.