Losers Bracket

 Crutcher, C. (2018). Losers Bracket. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.  A fictional story written by Crutcher that is about a girl named Annie that lives with a foster family because of a addict mother and a father is not in the picture.  Annie is smart, a not so great swimmer and basketball player.  Her foster father expects her to get a scholarship in sports.  The book centers around social service a nephew who goes missing and that apparently a family friend has been hiding out.  The social worker takes the blame for all because he did it for a good cause. Anne loves her family no matter how dysfunctional they are. Her foster family ends up in piece but her momma and Marvin her foster brother still love and support her.  Her 1/2 sister tries to do a "Susan Smith" on her nephew and Annie and friends arrive just in time to save them.  This was a heart-warming story that anyone can relate to especially those in the Child Services or maybe kids that are forced into paying sports for scholarships. I loved this story and it felt it was written with details and the strengths of the characters were the shining factor.  I have had foster students in my classes and I know that they would love to this book.  I also have read White Oleander by Janet Finch and while it was a little more graphic it also gives insight to the foster care system.  Other books from Chris Crutcher are are Deadline and Running Loose.