Eagle Blue
When I go to my local library, the first section that I check for reading material is new nonfiction. On my most recent trip, I found Eagle Blue by Michael D’Orso. After reading the book summary, I knew this book was a perfect fit for me.
I have to start my review by telling you that I am not an avid basketball fan. In fact, the last time that I watched an entire basketball game was when I was a high school cheerleader (which was not in the recent past!). That said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Eagle Blue.
This book is the story of the Fort Yukon, Alaska, high school boys’ basketball team. What makes this story unique is that Fort Yukon is a tiny community with approximately 600 residents located in Arctic Alaska. The mere location of this community makes the challenges of becoming a successful basketball even harder.
Being a town of such small size, the obstacles are many. How many kids will come out for the team? Will they all be eligible to play based on their grades? Will the weather be good enough for the team to fly to their away games? (This might sound glamorous, but you need to read the book to learn the reality.) Which players will get to attend the next away game?
However numerous or massive the obstacles are, the support of the townspeople makes up for them. The citizens of Fort Yukon exemplify what hometown pride should be. They support the Fort Yukon Eagles both financially and emotionally.
This book clearly shows the dedication of all involved parties: coach, players, parents, townspeople. If you are looking for a book that shows you how exciting high school sports can be or just want a feel-good read, this book is the perfect choice.
