Courage on the Line

Deborah Dowson is a Canaadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

Something happened at Amelie’s old school that still gives her
nightmares. As she struggles to make a new life with a new volleyball
team and new friends at her new school, the past continues to haunt her.
In addition to these problems, her family life is suffering as her
parents are separating. Amelie has been hurt badly and she is reluctant
to trust her new friends, but as they demonstrate sensitivity and
understanding she lets down her guard and the healing begins.

The moral is very clear—you must face your fear to be free of it.
Amelie faces the bullies from her old school and sees them for what they
are. It is rather predictable that the championship showdown occurs
between herself and her tormentors, and that she triumphs by overcoming
her biggest challenges.

The author is very proficient at depicting the world of high-school
sports, and the book features both basketball and volleyball as a
backdrop to the story. There is a good sense of team dynamics as well.
It is confusing, however, to read about the volleyball team for the
first 12 chapters when the cover illustration depicts a basketball shot;
it isn’t until the final four chapters that the athletes would switch
to playing basketball.

This is a very moral book, and it offers good role models that support
the main character in her difficulties. She has good friends, a
supportive family, and teachers and coaches who are helpful and
encouraging. With lots going on in the plot, a sensitive and sympathetic
main character, and a good sense of the sports story, Courage on the
Line is another fine product in the Sports Stories series. Recommended.