<DIV><p>In Indiana, basketball is the next thing to religion. Especially for inner-city black kids like Derrick Bowen. He's a 6'3" freshman, lightning quick, and he can slam the rock. He wants to start at point guard for Marion High, but senior Nick Starks has that nailed down. Besides, the coach is old school. He thinks D-Bow needs to work on his game, his shot, and his attitude. That means bench time. And that's when Hamilton Academy, the elite school in the suburbs, comes sniffing around. They want D-Bow for the next three years. His mom wants no part of that. But his father needs a job, and Uncle Kid, who a bitter ex-star at Marion High, has his own plans. Yeah, there's a pretty girl and a best friend in the mix. Plus plenty of basketball action and suspense just like high school boys like to read.</p><p><B>Kevin Waltman</B>, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, was a high school player and remains a huge basketball fan. <I>Next</I> is his third YA novel, all of which are about basketball. His first two, both from Scholastic, are <I>Nowhere Fast</I> (2002) and <I>Learning the Game</I> (2005). Kevin is an instructor at the University of Alabama where he lives with his wife Jessica and their dog Henry.</p><br></DIV>