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by J. Dillard
245 pages
Can I Play, by J. Dillard, is a novel about taking chances, going for your dreams, and volleyball. The protagonist is a junior named Keli Stennes. She dreams of getting out of her small town of Falls City, where most kids get stuck for their whole lives. Her passion is playing volleyball, and in Falls City she is a star. The only problem is that Keli becomes concerned that she won't get a scholarship and have the opportunity play in college. Keli then is forced to make a choice, a choice that will not only affect her, but her family, town, and school.
Keli attends a big volleyball camp at Dallas High, a school in the town over. When she sees the other players, she knows that if she really wants to improve her skills, she should go to school here. Ashley and Greta, two friends from the camp, tell her that she should go to Dallas. After a long time of wondering and going back and forth, Keli decides to go for it. She comes to this conclusion so that she can learn to play to the best of her ability, which is not only her dream, but it was her late-father's dream as well when he was young.
When people from Falls City find out about this change, many people don't accept it right away. Even her two best friends, Charlee and Sticky, drift apart for a while. However, Sticky eventually comes around. Despite that she is glad to be there, the beginning days of practice were hard for Keli. Dallas had better and different equipment then she was used to. When Keli is put on the JV team, she is crushed, but she learns to accept it. When another girl quit the varsity team, Keli moved up. Her team had its ups and downs, including a feud including Keli and a girl named Alix,but the pushed past it all to play some great games, leading them to play at the state championship.
Can I Play was a novel I really enjoyed. It is a book worth reading, whether you like volleyball or not. I liked how Keli wouldn't let anything get in the way of her dreams. She seemed like the kind of friend anyone would be lucky to have. When her grandpa Tom and her couch Lindsay gave her advice, that was nice as well. A lot happens in this book, so everyone should read it and find out!
- Reviewed by Kristin H.
React to this Review Great Rivers Regional Library
Hennepin County Library
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