Time To Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

Parker Stanley

Last Shot

By: John Feinstein

     For any basketball player, it is their dream to win the championship, but for this college star ---Chris Graber--- this dream has been taken away. In this novel, two young reporters ---Steve Thomas and Susan Carol--- have been selected as winners to a writing contest, so they were given the opportunity to report at one of the worlds greatest sporting events, the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans. The reporters overhear a conversation between Minnesota State star, Chris Graber, and an unknown man, while wandering through the immense NCAA buildings. The reporters overhear the blackmailer state, “You just play your butt off against St. Joe’s and choke against Duke. We’ll take care of the rest” (56). The reporters are in complete shock and disbelief. They are now apart of one of the largest scandals in basketball history; they have trouble putting their thoughts together. Susan, smart and bright, was unaware of what to do at the moment: “What do we do?” (56). Steve and Susan try to get help, but have no luck, so they take matters into their own hands. They eventually slip through security, thanks to Susan’s quick thinking, and are able to reach Graber’s room. The reporters explain to Graber, “We overheard your conversation yesterday, and we want to try to help you” (111). From here on, the three of them have a mission to save Graber’s basketball career and put an end to the blackmailer.


     At the end of every page, John Feinstein leaves you hungry for more. It was very hard for me to put the book down. Every line seemed to peek my interest; I never felt as if I was bored. I enjoyed this story because I am a basketball and college sports fan, but if you do not have interest in sports, then this may not be the read for you. This story can relate to college basketball now, due to the scandals between players and coaches. This fictional story may not be far from the world of college sports today. Once the scandal is developed in the beginning, it gave me continuous ideas and predictions about the rest of the story.

     Besides the plot, I enjoyed the development in Chris Graber’s character and the idea of getting things done right by yourself. Chris Graber is originally seen as a basketball star who is focused on one thing and one thing only, basketball. Graber is projected to go first round in the NBA draft. Steve and Susan thought that they would never get an opportunity to interview or speak to him, nevermind save his career. Once they get in contact with him, Graber portrays himself as strict and busy. Graber was annoyed with the teenagers: “I’m going to give you guys two minutes to tell me what the h*** this is about...” (110). Throughout their time together, Graber becomes hopeful and starts to create trust with the teenagers, so he can continue his career. I find it interesting how two reporters were able to meet one of the worlds greatest athletes and change his mindset. This begins to discuss the idea of how the reporters were not able to get others to help, so they did it themselves. They showed leadership and perseverance, which is not a common trait held by 13 year olds. This idea had an impact on me and other readers to become a leader, not a follower. Overall, I would give this book a 5/5 stars.