Barbara R. (Crop4Fun) reviewed Skateboard Tough (Matt Christopher Sports Classics) on + 1217 more book reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-- A Stephen King-style mystery for the younger set."Doesn't it make you wonder?" Brett is asked after he unearths a skateboard and claims it as his own. The plot builds suspensefully, yet readers never learn who buried the object, or why Brett can do difficult tricks he never dreamed of attempting before. Eventually he figures out the age-old adage "to thine own self be true," returning to his old skateboard and relying on his own abilities. Followers of Christopher's other novels and Thrasher , a skateboard magazine, will enjoy this. Although some savvy readers will be annoyed by the use of the term "rink" when referring to a skateboarding area, they will appreciate Christopher's descriptions of tricks. Illustrated with realistic black-and-white drawings.
From Kirkus Reviews
Brett Thyson finds a skateboard buried in his new yard and suddenly can perform tricks with it that he's never even seen, much less tried. He learns that it belonged to Lance Hawker, a nationally known skateboarder who died in an accident. A friend warns Brett against riding it, but how can he stop before he's proved that he's a better skater than sneering neighbor Kyle Robinson? Christopher fluidly works his usual themes of sharp rivalry defused and personal problems handled, tied together here with an ambiguous fantasy element plus plenty of sports action and information. Four b&w illustrations capture the main characters' personalities.
Grade 2-4-- A Stephen King-style mystery for the younger set."Doesn't it make you wonder?" Brett is asked after he unearths a skateboard and claims it as his own. The plot builds suspensefully, yet readers never learn who buried the object, or why Brett can do difficult tricks he never dreamed of attempting before. Eventually he figures out the age-old adage "to thine own self be true," returning to his old skateboard and relying on his own abilities. Followers of Christopher's other novels and Thrasher , a skateboard magazine, will enjoy this. Although some savvy readers will be annoyed by the use of the term "rink" when referring to a skateboarding area, they will appreciate Christopher's descriptions of tricks. Illustrated with realistic black-and-white drawings.
From Kirkus Reviews
Brett Thyson finds a skateboard buried in his new yard and suddenly can perform tricks with it that he's never even seen, much less tried. He learns that it belonged to Lance Hawker, a nationally known skateboarder who died in an accident. A friend warns Brett against riding it, but how can he stop before he's proved that he's a better skater than sneering neighbor Kyle Robinson? Christopher fluidly works his usual themes of sharp rivalry defused and personal problems handled, tied together here with an ambiguous fantasy element plus plenty of sports action and information. Four b&w illustrations capture the main characters' personalities.
