• Age: 10 to 13
• Grade: 4 to 8
• Reading age: 7 to 10

Jay Hirtle's back in Rockets territory and he's determined to help his former teammates win the basketball championship. But some of his teammates aren't very welcoming, including Colin, Jay's former best friend and last season's MVP. When Jay wins out in a close vote for team captain, Colin's behaviour becomes even more hostile. Jay has to think of a way to fix their strained relationship -- and the effect it has on the team's showing -- even if it means giving up the captaincy.

Sylvia Gunnery is the author of nearly a dozen books for teens and younger readers. A retired teacher, she has been inspired by her students to create authentic and engaging stories. Out of Bounds was a Best Books for Kids and Teens Selection and was nominated for the Hackmatack Award. Her most recent novel is Emily For Real. Sylvia gives writing workshops in her home province of Nova Scotia and across Canada, encouraging young writers to find their own voices and tell their own stories.

Sylvia Gunnery's profile page

• Short-listed, Hackmatack Children's Choice Award 2014-15
• Commended, One of the Year's Best for 2013 - Resource Links
• Commended, Best Books for Kids & Teens - Canadian Children's Book Centre

"Jay is a strong character . . . the basketball scenes, from practices to critical games, are excellent and will draw the intended readership into the book. The coaching is firm, goal oriented and upbeat while the basketball action itself is typical, fast paced down to the last second. That all of this can be accomplished while keeping the reading level at grade 3.4 is amazing."

Rated E, excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!

Resource Links

"Basketball is elevated to a lofty status in this Sports Stories entry"

Publishers Weekly

"Sylvia Gunnery is an experienced author who very capably fulfills the requirements for Lorimer's Sports Stories series. She supplies fast-paced action, character, and local colour. There is action on and off the court in Game Face. Not only does Gunnery describe the interaction and plays during practices, but the action climax of the book is a well-described first game of the season, with a complex and well-executed final winning play. As well, she deftly describes the interactions between Colin and Jay. Colin both snubs and attacks Jay, trying to encourage other students to accept his distrust and dislike of Jay, who had formerly been his friend. Many students will recognize Colin's bullying behaviour." Recommended

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"An abundance of dialogue makes for a fast-paced read with personal angst that rings true."

Booklist (U.S.)