How Lamar's Bad Prank Won A Bubba-Sized Trophy

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen
13yr old Lamar Washington is one of the best bowlers in Coffin, IN. Unfortunately not many people appreciate the sport of bowling, Lamar wants to change that. He also no longer wants to be known as the prankster, so girls take him seriously. Lamar's ready for his first girlfriend.

Last year Lamar and Sergio, his best friend played tricks on Makeda, giving her the nickname fivehead. When Lamar spots Makeda at Strikers he doesn't recognize her. Now Lamar is doing everything can to prove he's a different person and can be trusted.

Lamar's older brother Xavier is a basketball star. Lamar's dad is too busy working and praising Xavier's game to notice Lamar. At home its all about Xavier the basketball hero. Lamar spends most of his time at Strikers Bowling Paradise. Tired of always being broke and borrowing money from his best friend Sergio, Lamar decides to team up with Billy Jenks. Billy is all about himself, making money and is bad news. Lamar's friendship with Sergio suffer after he starts hustling with Billy.

But Lamar likes finally having money in his pockets. He wants to use the money to impress Makeda Phillips buy his dream pro bowling ball, the pro thunder by Bubba Sanders. Sanders is Lamar's favorite bowler and he's coming to town. Before Bubba arrives, Lamar does one last big prank that could get him in a lot of trouble.

I thought Lamar had a very over the top personality. It was a little too much for me. Though there is something to be said for a 13 yr old Black boy with a lot of confidence. I just didn't connect with Lamar the way I would've liked. At times I felt his language was dated.

I do like that the author gives the reader many sides of Lamar. At home Lamar is the silent victim of his brother's violent outburst. With Makeda, he's nervous, doing his best not to say the wrong thing. Its very nice to read a middle grade novel that deals with a first relationship from the boys point of view. One of the books strengths was Lamar's friendship with Sergio. I really enjoyed the back and forth between them.

The story has a lot of funny moments. One in particular that had me laughing so hard it hurt. This was a well rounded story. I think a lot of middle grade readers will enjoy it.

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba Sized Trophy recieved a starred PW review