Review Detail

They only like you if you win.

Thats how Hall Braxton feels about tennis. Shes a great tennis player, but with greatness comes expectation and pressure. Pressure from her parents, from her coach, from her friends, and from herself. Sometimes she wonders if all those hours of practice everyday are worth it. Sometimes she just cant take it anymore and she just wants to get away. Halls life revolves around tennis and she loves the game, but hates the way that it consumes her life.

When Halls parents get it in their heads to ship Hall off to a prestigious tennis academy, Hall does everything she can to rebel against the idea. Dont they see? She doesnt want to leave home and be a slave to tennis. Only a handful of those girls make it to the pros anyway. Going off to the academy will only enhance the presence of tennis in her life and increase the expectations. Its hard enough for Hall to be normal at home, where her friends dont seem to care much about tennis. But surrounded by other tennis players 24/7, how will she survive?

Ultimately, Halls choice about tennis must come from within. Does she love tennis enough to sacrifice her home, friends and family? Is she a warrior who wants to win at all costs? Does she have the mental toughness to succeed in a competitive environment like the Bickford Tennis Academy? But most importantly, Hall must evaluate herself and decide if she has the desire to take her game to the next level.

Carol Clippinger does a wonderful job in illustrating life for a young elite athlete, and offers most introspection into Halls innermost thoughts. I felt like Hall was one of my friends, and I wanted desperately for her to make the right decision, and most of all, for her to be happy. In the end, shes only just a kid, and asking her to make life-changing decisions seems unfair. But it is a dilemma that many young children and teen athletes are faced with. I highly recommend Open Court to young athletes, as a warning of what life might become, and to parents, as a reminder to never push your kid past their limits and let them choose their own path in life.