THE FIFTH QUARTER: HARD COURT

THE FIFTH QUARTER: HARD COURT MIKE DAWSON

The second book in this middle-grade graphic novel duology about a girl who deals with her insecurities and awkwardness through her love of basketball and her desire to get better at the game. Lori’s game just gets better. She's practicing constantly in her after-school program, and although she’s still only playing in the fifth quarter, she’s starting to feel confident on the court. But growing brings change; her friends start to branch off into different interests, and even different basketball teams. At home, the family dynamics are changing too, with her dad going back to work, and her mom staying home with the kids for the first time in Lori's life. The brewing tension unsettles Lori, and she begins holding herself back. With the support of her family, and the expertise of her soccer-player-turned-coach mom, Lori must learn how to trust herself and take chances, not just on the court, but in life as well.

MIKE DAWSON

Mike Dawson is the author of several graphic novels and comics collections. His work has appeared at The Nib, Slate, and The New Yorker, and has been nominated for multiple Eisner and Ignatz Awards, as well as the Slate Cartoonists Studio Prize. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife and children.