The Half-Court Hero

The Zach & Zoe Mysteries #2

by Mike Lupica

#1  New York Times  bestseller Mike Lupica begins an exciting new chapter book series, perfect for fans of Cam Jansen, featuring his trademark sports action and heart, and a lovable twin brother-sister duo who solve sports-related mysteries.

There's nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. And when those two worlds collide . . . well it doesn't get any better than that. When the twins start a summer basketball league at their local park, they notice the once rundown court is getting freshened up with each passing day. First new nets, then the benches have been completely restored. But who's behind it? Zach and Zoe are on the case!

In the opening installments of the Zach and Zoe Mysteries, bestselling author Mike Lupica begins a series for a new and younger audience, introducing readers to a sports-loving detective duo who can swing for the fences and catch the culprit in one fell swoop. With a recipe equal parts sports and mystery, the Zach and Zoe Mysteries break fresh ground for an author who has been called the greatest sportswriter for kids.

Genres: Mystery, Chapter Books, Sports

96 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

Michael Lupica is an author and American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twins Zach & Zoe love to play sports together and are best friends as well. They're so excited because this summer they're allowed to play in a tournament together, and their father is their basketball coach. As they practice, they realize their basketball court at Wesley Park has fallen into disrepair. The nets are missing and one of their team members gets hurt because the equipment has become too rickety. Soon they discover the park is freshening up, and they even have new basketball nets. How did this happen, who is repairing the park? In this sports mystery we follow Zach and Zoe's play by play games and their voracious curiosity to solve the case of who is mysteriously renovating Wesley Park? Young readers who love sports will gobble this up. But a sophisticated young reader will immediately figure out the mystery, and wish that Zoe & Zach sometimes weren't so perfectly behaved. Sports mysteries for young readers are very popular, they just need to provide a little more suspense.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read and I dig the connection to his earlier kid novels!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to Mike Lupica for younger readers. Readers who like basketball and a good mystery will love this story.

[Amanda Blau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle sports mystery with strong family values

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story in the series! I listened on audiobook again. I went with 4 stars on this one since the hero was easy to guess early on. However, not all students will catch on. Inferencing is tough for many 5th graders. Again, I love the complexity and positivity these stories contain.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7 year old really enjoyed this mystery. I liked the strong family values.

[Kyaira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect read for my 7yo who loves sports!