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

Eighth-grader Micah is psyched to have made the BC junior goalball team -- even though he gets the news while dealing with a flare-up of his degenerative eye condition. What he's not happy about is his parents' decision to get him a guide dog, and the possibility of losing his independence.

When Liam, a new, first-rate player, joins the goalball team, Micah's frustration with his vision spills onto the court. He is rude to Liam and starts a fight with another teammate, Sebastian, after practice. It's only with the help of Cam, his Orientation and Mobility Specialist, that Micah starts to get a handle on his aggression and trust people enough to communicate how he feels. But with the team's big junior tournament in Richmond, B.C., quickly approaching, Micah has to reconcile his differences with Liam and Sebastian -- both on and off the court -- to become a real team player and help his team win the championship.

 

JANET M. WHYTE, a former horseback rider, now works as a library technician at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is the author of six books, including two in the Lorimer Sports Stories series: Rescue Rider and Shot in the Dark.

Janet M. Whyte's profile page

• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Award
• Nominated, Red Cedar Award
• Winner, Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Book for Kids and Teens

"Micah struggles with what we all have acceptance, friends, and success . . . and he works to become a member of a team despite his disabilities. This is not just another sports story it is the tale of all of us, each with his or her own physical or emotional or psychological handicap looking for friendship, love and the acceptance of others - this should be read by everyone, of all ages."

Educator at York Schools, NetGalley Reviewer

"Young readers will relate to young Micah's struggles: not necessarily his disability, but his anger issues, making friends, learning to be part of a team, that special relationship, and trying to become more independent of his parents. The language and tone of the book definitely feels like a young teen is speaking to the reader. It's wonderful to have a book that is based locally and illustrates the pressures young people face as they juggle parental expectations, personal goals, expectations, relationships and in this case a degenerative disability.

B.C.'s Young Readers' Choice Awards 2016/2017

"Shot in the Dark provides a very realistic portrayal of teen life and what it is like to manage the expectations of school and parents plus the added weight of a disability....Micah is funny and real on every page, and the same feeling of knowing the character on the first page lasts until the end, making readers wish it would last a little longer."

CM Magazine

"The book really opened up goalball, partial sightedness, and blindness . . . I thought the book handled a tough subject really well and I learnt from it."

NetGalley Reviewer

"Being that I've actually played goalball and have worked with kids who play regularly — I was so excited to see that this book highlighted a sport that most kids won't be familiar with!"

NetGalley

"[Micah's story is engaging and his character is realistically drawn . . . Although some of Micah's problems are related to his difficulties with seeing, many of his daily struggles involve issues familiar to young readers: gaining independence from his parents, controlling his anger, and making friends. Shot in the Dark is a well-researched, insightful book."

National Reading Campaign

"I've always loved stories that take me out of my own personal experience and genuinely put me into another's. Growing up with a disability, I sought out stories of other disabled kids growing up, and found precious few. Micah's tale in Shot in the Dark would have appealed to me back then and it touched that part of me that still seeks out those kind of stories."

Educator

"I really enjoyed this book . . . I think this book would be good for literature groups in middle school. It should spark lively discussions."

Educator at White Salmon Schools, NetGalley Reviewer

"This is another Hi-Lo book from Lorimer, and its a great choice for middle schoolers and high schoolers. Weve got a lead character who works with his disability, and hes a jock on top of it! Ms. Whyte takes the time to explain and narrate goalball . . . so readers will discover a new sport and learn that disabilities are obstacles that can be overcome. . . . This is a great summer reading choice that works nicely with the #WeNeedDiverseBooks intiative. As with other Lorimer Hi-Lo selections, its age appropriate and offers a deeper read, ready for reluctant and struggling readers who have worked on their skills and are ready for the next step."

NetGalley Reviewer

"Micah's snarky, conversational narrative is a great fit for reluctant readers, and the fast-paced action will satisfy sports fans, even if they have never heard of goalball. . . . [This insightful glimpse into the life of a visually impaired teen is . . . illuminating."

Booklist

"An enjoyable read. Recommended."

NetGalley Reviewer

"Readers will discover a new sport and learn that disabilities are obstacles that can be overcome...This is a great summer reading choice that works nicely with the #WeNeedDiverseBooks intiative. As with other Lorimer Hi-Lo selections, its age appropriate and offers a deeper read, ready for reluctant and struggling readers who have worked on their skills and are ready for the next step."

Children's Book Review Blog

"The extension of the Lorimer Sports Series to lesser-known Paralympic sports is a good one."

Resource Links

"Featuring covers clearly labeled with the sport in question, action-packed stories, and characters with diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds...sure to hook sporty middle school students."

School Library Journal