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Hoop City #3
Chicago
When Serge is recruited from the Sudan to come play basketball at a high profile prep school in Chicago, there are bigger obstacles than culture shock to contend with. His teammates are skeptical of his skills and do not fully bring him into their circle. Plus, the thoughts of Serge's father and older brother being killed by rebels back in the Sudan, consume him. Will Serge be able to put his past behind him and make something of his life in America through basketball?
198 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 2015
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44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 29, 2017
Hoop City (Chicago) by Sam Mousavi, is about a boy from Sudan named Serg. Serg is recruited to play ball at a prep high school in Chicago. Having to go through many obstacles Serg has nightmares about both father and brother being killed by rebels during the war. Serg is now left with his mother. He has to go fight through many obstacles, like adapting to weather in a new country and the new people. Serg has to fit in, the basketball team is still skeptical about his basketball skills.
Hoop City (Chicago) is most definitely worth reading if you are into sports or basketball individually and also drama. I like how the author gives you good perspective and words to show how Serg is feeling thought out the story and how his past comes back to haunt him. This book has a great being, but the author could have added more information at the end on how Serg overcomes his fears of his past.
Hoop City (Chicago) is most definitely worth reading if you are into sports or basketball individually and also drama. I like how the author gives you good perspective and words to show how Serg is feeling thought out the story and how his past comes back to haunt him. This book has a great being, but the author could have added more information at the end on how Serg overcomes his fears of his past.
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May 21, 2018I just completed reading Hoop City: Chicago by Sam Moussavi. Initially, I thought the book was a little slow. It started in Sudan in the Sugar Cane fields and was just the beginning of his daily life in that area. I knew it would be an easy read, but fun and interesting to read. The book slowly progressed as I went on and it created a background to the actual book.
Hoop City: Chicago is a book about a young man named Serge who comes to America to fulfill his dreams of playing basketball. In his early years, Serge grew up in Sudan, Africa and worked in the
Sugar Cane Fields. His everyday struggles of work made him gain aspirations to play basketball to escape all of this labor. One day, his brother and father were killed by rebels and Serge escaped with his life. He then decided to come to the United States to play basketball in the City of Chicago. He came to his new school and lived with his voluntary parents. He joined the varsity boys basketball team and had many early successes. He played a new big role on the team and with heavy lifting sessions and hard work, he became a starter for that team. He faced a near-death experience in a Convenience Store when it was robbed. This brought back all of his old terrors of his dad and brother being killed. After many days of recovering, he went back to school and prepared for his first game of that season. In practices, he showed all of his teammates what he was made of. Almost every time a shot went up, Serge would snatch it and skip it up the floor. Also, his shot-blocking ability and fast feet gave him an upper hand on defense. He rightfully earned his spot and was ready to dominate for the rest of the season.
In my opinion, I think this was a very good book. It had many events throughout his life and explained it with a lot of detail. I liked Serge as a character because he was humble when he played and just a quiet underrated student that came in and dominated on the court. Throughout all of his hardships, he found peace on the basketball court and showed his many talents without bragging and without caring about being noticed. The writing was very descriptive and comprehensible and kept me interested throughout.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about basketball or like people who overcome hardships. It was very easy to understand and fun to read. I give this book overall an 8 out of 10 and would recommend this to most readers looking for a good book.
Hoop City: Chicago is a book about a young man named Serge who comes to America to fulfill his dreams of playing basketball. In his early years, Serge grew up in Sudan, Africa and worked in the
Sugar Cane Fields. His everyday struggles of work made him gain aspirations to play basketball to escape all of this labor. One day, his brother and father were killed by rebels and Serge escaped with his life. He then decided to come to the United States to play basketball in the City of Chicago. He came to his new school and lived with his voluntary parents. He joined the varsity boys basketball team and had many early successes. He played a new big role on the team and with heavy lifting sessions and hard work, he became a starter for that team. He faced a near-death experience in a Convenience Store when it was robbed. This brought back all of his old terrors of his dad and brother being killed. After many days of recovering, he went back to school and prepared for his first game of that season. In practices, he showed all of his teammates what he was made of. Almost every time a shot went up, Serge would snatch it and skip it up the floor. Also, his shot-blocking ability and fast feet gave him an upper hand on defense. He rightfully earned his spot and was ready to dominate for the rest of the season.
In my opinion, I think this was a very good book. It had many events throughout his life and explained it with a lot of detail. I liked Serge as a character because he was humble when he played and just a quiet underrated student that came in and dominated on the court. Throughout all of his hardships, he found peace on the basketball court and showed his many talents without bragging and without caring about being noticed. The writing was very descriptive and comprehensible and kept me interested throughout.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about basketball or like people who overcome hardships. It was very easy to understand and fun to read. I give this book overall an 8 out of 10 and would recommend this to most readers looking for a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2019
Hoop City (Chicago) was a great book about basketball that I have read. I say this because the author "Sam Moussani" really grabs the reader's attention. Although this is the first book I have read by this author, i'm sure the rest of his books are just as good. After reading this book, Hoop city made me realize that you have to do it all on your own for sports. You have to work hard to get where you want to be and with all the things Serge went through i'm sure many more of us can do it too if we weren't as lazy and if we were more blessed with all the things we have. Working with his father and brother on cane farms where things aren't profitable but that's what they had to do in order to provide for their family. Serge is a basketball player from Sudan where things aren't set up as organized or free as America. He gets on a plane to come to America and play ball at the age of sixteen while living with his host family. His new journey began and he is excited to do so. The story of Serge is very meanful and full of adventures and just shows what he came from.
November 7, 2019
Hoop City Chicago by Sam Moussavi is a great book for people interested in basketball. A Sudanese character named Serge is recruited by a top school in Chicago. What Serge didn’t know was Chicago was just as dangerous as Sudan. He would recall back flashes of what happened to his brother and dad in Sudan. And he didn’t have the best friendship with the players on his team. If you wanna see how Serge encounters his problems read this book.
This book is totally worth reading and here’s why. It demonstrates work ethic, Serge never gave up and kept pushing to be a better basketball player. Like on page 73, “Remember Harold? He asked. He’ll give you a ride home. But you have to hurry so he can get home in time to see his kids. “Now?” “Yes’. That was just one hell of a workout we just had. I need to get stronger. How will you get home? I’ll find my way” Even though Serge doesn’t even know his way home and it’s his first day in CHICAGO, he still stayed in the gym to lift weights. It’s an amazing book and you should read
This book is totally worth reading and here’s why. It demonstrates work ethic, Serge never gave up and kept pushing to be a better basketball player. Like on page 73, “Remember Harold? He asked. He’ll give you a ride home. But you have to hurry so he can get home in time to see his kids. “Now?” “Yes’. That was just one hell of a workout we just had. I need to get stronger. How will you get home? I’ll find my way” Even though Serge doesn’t even know his way home and it’s his first day in CHICAGO, he still stayed in the gym to lift weights. It’s an amazing book and you should read
May 4, 2018
When I started to read this book I was lost with where it was going. I kept reading it and it was about a young boy from Sudan how traveled to America to have better life and to play basketball. Who was able to do this with some help from some people.
Hoop City Chicago by Sam Moussavi is about a boy named Serge from Sudan. He traveled to America after he lost some family members. He got to America and went to school and found a friend. He was getting to know people better and become friends with more of them. Until an event happened and ruined everything giving him bad flashbacks. Would he be able to back a come back.
There were many things that I enjoyed in this book. The plot was very fast paced and did not drag events out. Also, the book gave cleary details that you could use as if you were there during the event. I would recommend this book to people who like basketball and drama. I would also say that even if you don’t like those things you should still read it.
Hoop City Chicago by Sam Moussavi is about a boy named Serge from Sudan. He traveled to America after he lost some family members. He got to America and went to school and found a friend. He was getting to know people better and become friends with more of them. Until an event happened and ruined everything giving him bad flashbacks. Would he be able to back a come back.
There were many things that I enjoyed in this book. The plot was very fast paced and did not drag events out. Also, the book gave cleary details that you could use as if you were there during the event. I would recommend this book to people who like basketball and drama. I would also say that even if you don’t like those things you should still read it.
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March 6, 2025Book Review
My independent reading book was ¨Hoop City Chicago¨ by Sam Moussavi. I chose this book because I love basketball. This book follows the story of Serge who is a high school basketball player coming out of Sudan to play for a good team in Chicago. Serge is challenged by the difference in culture and the losses of his family members at home. Serge is also challenged by his new teammates because they are on the edge about him at first but as the story goes on he pushes to fit in on the court. This story shows how sports bring people together and push through challenges. Overall I would give this book a four out of five. I say this because Moussavi tells Serge's story in a really inspiring way. I also like how Moussavi shows the struggles and growth of Serge. I would recommend this book to people who are into sports and overcoming challenges.
My independent reading book was ¨Hoop City Chicago¨ by Sam Moussavi. I chose this book because I love basketball. This book follows the story of Serge who is a high school basketball player coming out of Sudan to play for a good team in Chicago. Serge is challenged by the difference in culture and the losses of his family members at home. Serge is also challenged by his new teammates because they are on the edge about him at first but as the story goes on he pushes to fit in on the court. This story shows how sports bring people together and push through challenges. Overall I would give this book a four out of five. I say this because Moussavi tells Serge's story in a really inspiring way. I also like how Moussavi shows the struggles and growth of Serge. I would recommend this book to people who are into sports and overcoming challenges.
January 4, 2023
I LOVE THIS BOOK! This book tells the tale of a young boy from Sudan who has come to America to play basketball for the high school team. Back home, he worked in the Sugarcane Fields with his dad and brother. The local rebels have been causing trouble for everyone, but even more so for his family. One night the rebels have had enough and kill his brother and dad. He then gets recruited and goes to America. He has to drown out the memories of his family getting killed so he can play his best. This story is all about finding yourself and facing challenges. I loved this book especially because I am a basketball player and I always feel the strongest when I am out on the court playing with my friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2021
Our school library asked me to read this book to see if it was appropriate for middle schools since reviews online were a bit mixed. I typically don't pick up sport kind of books, but this one was definitely a good read. I enjoyed the perspective of a student coming over from a tough situation. I also have to say that I like that he persevered through some very tough times. Makes me miss playing basketball and being part of a tight team.
March 3, 2018
it was sad
May 29, 2024
Hoop City Chicago is a book about a boy from Sudan named Serge who moves to Chicago, IL to escape the terrorists who killed his family. Serge gets an offer to play basketball for his high school. Everything is going well until he finds that Chicago isn’t a very safe city like he thought. Not only are local gangs present, but some of his teammates are threatening him when he plays well.
Serge tries to solve the problem by befriending his teammates and classmates. Some of the characters were likable and others were the opposite, like the man who robbed and shot the gas station cashier. The most suspenseful part was a flashback to Serge and his family defending themselves from rebels who wanted to recruit Serge and his brother. Serge’s entire family ended up being shot and killed while he was the only one to escape. My initial impressions of the book were not similar to what I read. I thought it was only going to be about basketball, but there was a large amount of gun violence and death.
The book was easy to read. It wasn’t too long, and it was always interesting. I finished the book because I wanted to see what happened to Serge and if he succeeded on the basketball team. I liked the ending because Serge is a great character who needed a happy ending. I would rate it 5/5 stars because it was a great story with great characters and themes. I would recommend it to anybody who likes books about sports.
Serge tries to solve the problem by befriending his teammates and classmates. Some of the characters were likable and others were the opposite, like the man who robbed and shot the gas station cashier. The most suspenseful part was a flashback to Serge and his family defending themselves from rebels who wanted to recruit Serge and his brother. Serge’s entire family ended up being shot and killed while he was the only one to escape. My initial impressions of the book were not similar to what I read. I thought it was only going to be about basketball, but there was a large amount of gun violence and death.
The book was easy to read. It wasn’t too long, and it was always interesting. I finished the book because I wanted to see what happened to Serge and if he succeeded on the basketball team. I liked the ending because Serge is a great character who needed a happy ending. I would rate it 5/5 stars because it was a great story with great characters and themes. I would recommend it to anybody who likes books about sports.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2017
I thought this story was really good and inspiring to young readers who also play the sport.
April 13, 2016
Plot:
Serge is a teen from the Sudan who has received a ticket out of the violence and devastation of his community by getting to come to a high school in Chicago to play basketball. He arrives there and has to adjust to the differences in culture, while missing his family and dealing with memories of his father and brother who were killed in the Sudan while he had a chance to escape.
Characters:
This book has very little dialogue, which makes it a less engaging read as far as getting to know the characters on a deeper level. Serge does reveal some information about his fears and flashbacks from his past, but he is able to move on fairly quickly after meeting someone who has had similar struggles.
Overall Evaluation:
The book provides a great intro for young readers to the problems and difficulties experienced in the Sudan, but there is not much depth and there are some background details about what brought Serge to the U.S. that are not fully explained.
The story could have been strengthened by more information about the supporting cast of characters, especially Serge's other family members and the rest of his former community.
Also, the strong language and racial slurs from many of the Chicago characters make this a tough sell for younger readers. The content is relatively age-appropriate for younger teens other than this.
Serge is a teen from the Sudan who has received a ticket out of the violence and devastation of his community by getting to come to a high school in Chicago to play basketball. He arrives there and has to adjust to the differences in culture, while missing his family and dealing with memories of his father and brother who were killed in the Sudan while he had a chance to escape.
Characters:
This book has very little dialogue, which makes it a less engaging read as far as getting to know the characters on a deeper level. Serge does reveal some information about his fears and flashbacks from his past, but he is able to move on fairly quickly after meeting someone who has had similar struggles.
Overall Evaluation:
The book provides a great intro for young readers to the problems and difficulties experienced in the Sudan, but there is not much depth and there are some background details about what brought Serge to the U.S. that are not fully explained.
The story could have been strengthened by more information about the supporting cast of characters, especially Serge's other family members and the rest of his former community.
Also, the strong language and racial slurs from many of the Chicago characters make this a tough sell for younger readers. The content is relatively age-appropriate for younger teens other than this.
January 7, 2016
Serge was born in Sudan. He witnessed a lot of violence including seeing his father and older brother being killed. He is recruited to come play basketball for a high school in Chicago. In addition to dealing with the drastic changes in lifestyle, teammates who do not seem to like or trust him, he also is dealing with his losses.
With almost 200 pages to work with, I felt like there should have been greater depth, especially depth of character. However, struggling and/or reluctant readers as well as those who like their sports stories with a tang of urban grit to them will enjoy the story. I was also distressed by the lack of grammatical editing in several places. I doubt that will bother most students, however.
With almost 200 pages to work with, I felt like there should have been greater depth, especially depth of character. However, struggling and/or reluctant readers as well as those who like their sports stories with a tang of urban grit to them will enjoy the story. I was also distressed by the lack of grammatical editing in several places. I doubt that will bother most students, however.
October 26, 2018
i really liked this book because i like basketball even if you don't like basket ball i think you would still like it though
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews