On the Devil's Court

by Carl Deuker

Book Review

Publishers Weekly :

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Deuker's first YA novel is an absorbing reworking of the Faustian legend, with plenty of relevance for modern readers. Joe Faust, 17, who has always lived in the shadow of his scientist father, suffers a slump when everything in his life goes wrong. He doesn't fit in at his new school, flubs the basketball team tryouts and, perhaps worst of all, finds that his words have been distorted in a tabloid article smearing his father. While practicing alone on an abandoned basketball court, Joe agrees to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for a perfect season. Or does he? Joe doesn't really believe in the devil, but when he suddenly gets to join the team, which then goes on to its first undefeated seasonwith him as the star player, he isn't so sure. And when he easily earns straight ``A's' (he'd always struggled to get even a ``C+'), Joe is convinced that some outside force is aiding him. Deuker skillfully blends gritty basketball action with well-rounded characters to create a vivid contemporary morality tale. Ages 12-up.

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School Library Journal :

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Gr 8-12 In a well-constructed juxtaposition, senior Joe Faust fears that, like the legendary Dr. Faustus, he has made an irrevocable pact with the devil. The only child of a famous geneticist and a sculptress, Joe feels inadequate except on the basketball court. When the family moves to Seattle, Joe is eager to experience the non-conformity of public school and the competition of Metro basketball, but his parents veto nearby Loyal High in favor of Eastside, an academic private school. Joe unleashes his frustrations in an abandoned gym where the devil he's read about in Doctor Faustus seems to inspire a series of perfect shots. Desperate for success and identity, Joe vows, ``Give me a full season, give me twenty-four games of this power, and my soul is yours.' Joe becomes a superstar, but his uneasiness is heightened as he delves deeper into Dr. Faustus in his English class. Finally, when Joe wins the twenty-fifth game, he realizes that, ``The devil's workif he had done anywas over.' For better or worse, Joe learns that he is the master of his fate. This well-paced first novel is a clever blend of family conflict, superstition, and exciting sports action. Adolescent readers will empathize with the mind games that Joe plays as he struggles for self-identity and independence; teachers will delight in the literary references and analogies; and librarians will praise this fine addition to sports fiction. Gerry Larson, Chewning Junior High School, Durham,

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