Beyond lucky by sarah aronson6/6/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() While targeted toward a younger audience and not filled with as many social overtones as Chris Crutcher's Whale Talk (HarperCollins, 2001), Aronson's book provides better-than-average character development for a sports novel. The soccer action will make the story extra appealing to seasoned players, but does not exclude those who are unfamiliar with the sport. So when Ari finds a rare and valuable Wayne Timcoe trading card, he’s sure his luck has changed for the better. Beyond Lucky offers an interesting tale of friendship and competition that moves at a good pace, carefully interweaving the stories of the protagonist's personal and athletic growth. Ari Fish believes in two things: his hero-Wayne Timcoe, the greatest soccer goalie to ever come out of Somerset Valley-and luck. Aronson does an excellent job of capturing middle-school voices. Ari must decide which is more valuable, his friendship and the status quo, or supporting and trusting someone telling the truth. When Ari's card disappears, the newest team member, the first and only girl to play in the boys' league, tells Ari that Mac was the last person near his backpack. By far the best player on the team, Mac is not having a good year and hates not being the center of attention. But as Ari's luck increases, his friend Mac's decreases. On the day he discovers the long-sought-after soccer trading card of his hero, his luck skyrockets: he finally makes first-string goalie. ![]() Like many athletes, he has pregame rituals: reading the newspaper, checking his horoscope, and eating a particular cereal. ![]()
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