Fast Break

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel balances high-stakes basketball games with Jayson’s intense personal struggles. Which aspect of the story did you find more compelling, the sports action or the emotional drama? Why?

2. How does Fast Break compare to other books by Mike Lupica you might have read, like Travel Team or Heat? What signature elements of his storytelling did you recognize in Jayson’s journey?

3. What was your overall feeling about the ending? Did Jayson’s arrival at the championship game at Duke feel like a satisfying conclusion to his journey, even without knowing the final score?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Throughout the book, Jayson learns to accept help and build a “found family” with the Lawtons and his team. What defines family, in your view?

2. Have you ever had a mentor who, like Coach Rooney or Carol Lawton, offered guidance or stability during a challenging time? What qualities make someone an effective mentor?

3. Jayson feels like an outsider at his new school. Can you recall a time when you felt like you didn’t belong in a new environment? What helped you navigate that feeling?

4. The book explores the consequences of uncontrolled anger. When have you seen intense emotions, like anger or passion, drive someone to achieve something great, and when have you seen them become a barrier?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The guide notes that Jayson’s placement with the affluent Lawtons is an “idealized” version of foster care. In what ways does the novel shine a light on the realities of youth poverty, and where does it perhaps offer a more optimistic view than reality warrants?

2. Mrs. Montgomery spreads vicious lies about Jayson based on class prejudice, calling him “dirt.” How does her character represent the ways classism can reinforce social divides and impact a person’s sense of self-worth?

3. The story presents the basketball court as a space where talent and hard work can overcome social disadvantage. Do you believe youth sports generally function as a great equalizer in society, or do factors like wealth and resources still create significant barriers?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Consider Carol and Coach Rooney’s differing approaches to Jayson’s anger and isolation. Does the novel suggest one approach is more effective than the other, or do they complement each other? How can you tell?

2. The conflict between Jayson’s old east-side life and new west-side life shares thematic ground with classic novels like S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders (1967). In what ways does Fast Break explore the theme of social division for a contemporary middle grade audience?

3. Why do you think the novel is titled “fast break”? How might an understanding of this basketball play (or others) enrich a reader’s understanding of the novel’s themes and characterization?

4. Jayson is a protagonist who lies, steals, and lashes out in anger. What narrative and stylistic choices does the author make to ensure that you continue to root for Jayson despite his flaws?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Jayson’s basketball trophies represent his past accomplishments and the identity he clings to. If you were to design a new trophy for Jayson at the end of the book, what would it look like, and what would it symbolize about his entire journey?

2. Imagine you are Bryan Campbell, Jayson’s first real friend at Belmont. What are your initial impressions of Jayson during that disastrous first practice, and how does your opinion of him evolve as the season progresses? Write or draft a short piece from Bryan’s perspective that chronicles those changes.

3. What do you think happens in the moments immediately after the book ends? Describe the conversation Jayson might have with the Lawtons or his teammates in the locker room after the championship game against Raleigh.