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"Travel Team" Summary

By Mike Lupica

sports | 304 pages | Published in NaN

Estimated read time: 5 min read

One Sentence Summary

After being cut from the travel basketball team, Danny Walker forms his own team and seeks redemption in the championship game.

Table of Contents

Introduction, brief synopsis, main characters, chapter summary, main events, themes and insights, reader's takeaway.

"Travel Team" is a young adult novel written by Mike Lupica. This inspiring and heartwarming story revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Danny Walker. The book addresses themes of determination, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams. Set in a small town in the United States, the narrative follows Danny as he strives to overcome obstacles and fulfill his passion for basketball. As the protagonist navigates challenges both on and off the court, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and perseverance.

Plot Overview

Danny Walker is a talented basketball player with dreams of making it to the travel team, an elite squad that competes in prestigious tournaments. However, Danny's hopes are dashed when he is cut from the team due to his small stature. Despite the setback, Danny refuses to give up on his passion for the game. With the help of his friends and the support of his coach, he sets out to form his own team and prove himself on the court.

The story is primarily set in the town of Middletown, a close-knit community where basketball holds significant importance. The vivid description of the town and its basketball culture provides a rich backdrop for the protagonist's journey. From the local courts to the intense tournament arenas, the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the events of the narrative.

Chapters 1-5

Danny dreams of making the travel basketball team, but his hopes are crushed when he is cut due to his size. Heartbroken, he seeks solace in his friends and begins to consider forming his own team.

Chapters 6-10

With the encouragement of his coach and friends, Danny starts assembling a group of players to form a new team. He faces skepticism and challenges but remains determined to prove himself.

Chapters 11-15

As Danny's team begins to take shape, they face opposition from other players and teams. The narrative delves into themes of friendship, teamwork, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Chapters 16-20

The newly formed team begins to train and prepare for upcoming tournaments. Danny's leadership and unwavering dedication inspire his teammates, and they start to bond both on and off the court.

Chapters 21-25

The team faces its first competitive challenges, testing their skills and camaraderie. Danny's growth as a player and a leader becomes evident as they navigate victories and setbacks.

Chapters 26-30

As the narrative reaches its climax, the team's hard work and determination are put to the ultimate test in a high-stakes tournament. Danny's journey of self-discovery and the power of belief come to the forefront.

• Danny's heartbreak after being cut from the travel team.
• The formation of Danny's own basketball team with the support of his friends and coach.
• The team's training and preparation for tournaments.
• Competitive challenges and victories that test the team's resilience.
• The climax at the high-stakes tournament, where Danny and his team face their ultimate test.
• Perseverance: The novel explores the theme of perseverance as Danny refuses to give up on his dreams despite facing numerous obstacles.
• Friendship: The importance of friendship and support is a central theme, highlighting the impact of loyal companions like Will in Danny's journey.
• Belief in oneself: The narrative emphasizes the power of self-belief and determination in overcoming adversity.

"Travel Team" offers readers an inspiring and relatable story about the pursuit of dreams and the resilience of the human spirit. Through Danny's journey, readers are reminded of the power of perseverance, friendship, and self-belief in the face of challenges.

In "Travel Team," Mike Lupica crafts a compelling narrative that not only captures the passion for basketball but also delves into universal themes of determination and friendship. The protagonist's journey serves as a source of inspiration for readers of all ages, making the book a poignant and uplifting read.

Travel Team FAQ

What is 'travel team' about.

Travel Team is a young adult novel about a 12-year-old boy named Danny Walker who is determined to form his own basketball team after being left out of his town's elite travel team.

Who is the author of 'Travel Team'?

The author of 'Travel Team' is Mike Lupica, a renowned sports journalist and author of many sports-themed novels for young readers.

What age group is 'Travel Team' suitable for?

The book is generally suitable for readers aged 10-14, but older readers and adults who enjoy sports-themed stories may also find it engaging.

Is 'Travel Team' part of a series?

No, 'Travel Team' is a standalone novel and does not belong to a series.

What are the main themes in 'Travel Team'?

The main themes in 'Travel Team' include perseverance, friendship, teamwork, and the love of basketball. The book also addresses issues of family dynamics and personal growth.

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Travel Team Summary and Analysis

FreeBookNotes found 4 sites with book summaries or analysis of Travel Team . If there is a Travel Team SparkNotes, Shmoop guide, or Cliff Notes, you can find a link to each study guide below.

Among the summaries and analysis available for Travel Team , there are 1 Full Study Guide, 2 Short Summaries and 1 Book Review.

Depending on the study guide provider (SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc.), the resources below will generally offer Travel Team chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols.

Travel Team

By mike lupica, full book notes and study guides.

Sites like SparkNotes with a Travel Team study guide or cliff notes. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Mike Lupica’s Travel Team.

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Short book summaries.

Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Travel Team by Mike Lupica.

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Wikipedia - Travel Team

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Sites with a book review or quick commentary on Travel Team by Mike Lupica.

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More Books by Mike Lupica

FreeBookNotes has 9 more books by Mike Lupica, with a total of 40 study guides.

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Travel Team

43 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-7

Chapters 8-14

Chapters 15-21

Chapters 22-28

Chapters 29-33

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Almost every character gets involved with basketball in one way or another. Throughout the novel, Danny learns about the value of players, teamwork, and how to coach because of the competition between teams. More than anything, basketball is a way for Danny to escape the world, focusing on improving his skills. At one point, Tess comments that “[t]his is your own little basketball world back here, and nobody can screw things up” (240). Several times throughout the novel, Danny goes to practice alone in his driveway to think through problems. In fact, in the beginning of the novel, when Danny receives the news that he didn’t make the travel team, he goes out and practices until dark in the square of the driveway where he feels like he can escape the world. Later, the night before the game against the Vikings, Danny goes out there after talking to his dad as a way of coping with the nerves that accompany the eve of a big game. 

The Virtual World

Related Titles

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Travel Team Literary Elements

By mike lupika.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Shirley Marina

Children's Fiction

Setting and Context

Present Day within the setting of a high school basketball team

Narrator and Point of View

Third person narrator who tells the story from Danny Walker's point of view

Tone and Mood

Alternately uplifting and inspiring, and downcast and negative.

Protagonist and Antagonist

Danny Walker is the protagonist. His old coach is the antagonist as well as his height being antagonistic factor in his life

Major Conflict

The major conflict in Danny's home life is between his mother and his father whom he desperately wants to see get back together; however his mother is opposed to this because she has suffered much trauma in the marriage due to Richie's alcoholism and impulse control issues

Danny's team scores in the nick of time - a "buzzer beater" - and wins the championship

Foreshadowing

Danny's former coach announces that he is looking to "go bigger" this year. This foreshadows Danny's dropping from the team since he is markedly shorter than the other boys on the team, and under consideration to play, and cannot be a part of any drive to "go bigger"

Understatement

Danny feels his height is holding him back which is an understatement as it is the key factor in his being dropped from the team which is the catalyst for the forming of a new team which indirectly brings him closer with his father too

There are many allusions made to the NBA and its teams and players, particularly those of Richie Walker's generation such as Larry Bird

The imagery is based around basketball and so the author describes the games in great detail, painting an image not only visually for the reader but also including sounds, smells and feelings as well

When Danny gets home from winning the game he finds he has grown significantly when he measures himself against the marks on the wall. This is paradoxical primarily because now that he has grown in stature as a person and in his own eyes, his physical height does not seem so important anyway

Parallelism

There is a parallel between how mean Travis' father is to him and how much he wants to play against his father and on Richie's team

Metonymy and Synecdoche

The gymnasium is used as a phrase to encompass all of the individuals sitting in it to watch the game

Personification

No specific examples in this novel

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Travel Team Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Travel Team is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Did the Warriors win the championship in the end and if they did who did they beat

The boys realize that if Mr Ross extending an olive branch to Richie is possible, then anything is possible, and in true underdog fashion they win the game. The Warriors beat Middletown.

What had Jeff Ross done after the tryouts?

Jeff Ross called Danny personally to tell him that he'd made the team. Danny's parents were old friends of his.

Who is a static character?

I might consider Ali Walker. She is still strong at the end of the book.

Study Guide for Travel Team

Travel Team study guide contains a biography of Mike Lupica, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Travel Team
• Travel Team Summary
• Character List

Wikipedia Entries for Travel Team

• Introduction