H. N. Khan

Excellent story of a teen boy coping with everyday struggles in his neighborhood and family life. Fifteen-year old Fawad lives for basketball, but he's having trouble convincing his protective Pakistani mother to let him try out for the school team. He gets bullied by Omar, a neighborhood teen who plays on his rival school's team. Fawad's mother wants to arrange his marriage to a cousin back in Pakistan, which Fawad definitely does not want to do because he is interested in a girl at school--but his mother has forbidden him from dating. And then his best friend's brother, a young man whom Fawad looked up to and valued as a mentor, dies from gun violence, and this really shakes up both of their lives. This story started out grim and I thought I wouldn't like it that much, but I quickly grew to like Fawad's character, and it turned out much more positively than I'd predicted. The basketball action is fast-paced and pretty easy to follow; there are good moments of friendship and a sweet storyline involving his blossoming first relationship. Despite living in a poor neighborhood with rough circumstances, Fawad and his friends rise above their challenges and stay positive and hopeful. The Regent park neighborhood is a character on its own, described as very diverse and varied, which Fawad values despite the drawbacks; descriptions of Muslim culture in general and Pakistani food in particular add warmth and vibrancy to the story. Strong coming-of-age story. For junior high readers and up who are fine with some spicy language. Although it is set in a Canadian city, American teens shouldn't have any problems following the story. I received an Early Reviewers copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

Sports, violence, poverty, and diversity are all represented in the Wrong Side of the Court. Fawad can’t seem to catch a break in life. All he wants to do is play basketball to help him forget about his father’s death. Fawad is stuck between two worlds: his Pakistani upbringing with his desire to fit in Canadian friends. Overall, this is sufficient read. Teens will enjoy the sports action and desire to be a better athlete. Some issues raised in the book were not flushed out all the way and the end wrapped up too quickly.… (meer)