Mid-Columbia Library System (November 2006)
At Raymond Wisniewski’s high school, it’s traditional for the Polish kids to turn out for wrestling and the black kids to play basketball. For two years, Ray has tried out for the basketball team, only to get cut by Coach Malovic. Pruze, a superstar transfer student from Chicago suggests that Ray play in the summer leagues before senior year to get in condition and show Malovic his true talent. During the summer Ray meets some exceptional ball players, including Robert, an arrogant kid who either taunts Ray or ignores him. At home, Ray’s mother expresses concern that he’s hanging out with black players and Ray’s best friend, Walter, makes bigoted remarks about Ray’s teammates. But Ray is determined to play varsity basketball his senior year and is delighted to meet a new coach, Mr. Thomas, who is black, but seems fair. When Ray makes the team, his troubles begin. As the newcomer, there is resentment about Ray taking Rudy’s place. Rudy and his buddies taunt Ray during the games which Walter answers with equally bigoted chants. Violence erupts at school and Ray is forced to choose between his neighbors, his teammates and hate-mongers from both racial communities. Prejudice comes in many forms and Ray is shocked to discover that the label of bigot is easily flung, but not so easily erased. REBOUND is Krech’s first novel and he deftly brings to life the community of a Polish family and neighborhood, their beliefs and biases. His protagonist finds that skill on a basketball court is not always enough to win, be it the trust of a teammates, or a basketball game. This books is recommended for teens in grades 9-12.
- Marsha Bates

Palatine Library Teen Page
Palatine High School Top 16 2007-2008
Rebound by Bob Krech
Determined to make the varsity basketball team, seventeen-year-old Ray finds his efforts to play both hindered and helped by the atmosphere of racism in his town.

From Booklist
In Greenville, New Jersey, the Polish kids wrestle, and the black kids play basketball. But Ray Wisniewski is different. He loves basketball so much that he keeps trying to make the high-school team, even though he is always getting cut. Ray's got game, but the coach--Polish himself--seems biased toward black players. Finally, in Ray's senior year, a new coach is hired--a black guy--and Ray makes the team. That's when things get complicated, and Ray is caught up in racism close to home and on the court. Ray thinks he is not a racist, but as he gradually finds out, he doesn't know himself as well as he thought. Though Krech's concept of teens is sometimes dated (Ray thinks "Who Stole the Kishka" is a "crack-up"), he shows a deft touch with both on-court action and the social issues surrounding it. Krech keeps it honest (using the n-word a few times) as he successfully shows the many shades of gray that keep racism from being a truly black-and-white issue. 
Keir Graff Copyright © American Library Association.
All rights reserved.

Kirkus Reviews
People are hard to figure, especially when you're a 17-year-old white boy in a racially divided section of New Jersey. The geography of prejudice is apparent from the start: Polish-American Greenville, predominantly black Jefferson Park and mostly rich white neighborhoods of Regent's Park. These worlds collide at Franklin High School, where Ray Wisniewski dreams of making varsity basketball, though most white boys go out for wrestling. A lot is going on in this ambitious work exploring the subtle and not-so-subtle faces of racism today. Layers of prejudice are dissected, a climactic gang showdown forces the issue of race and loyalty and Ray discovers his place in this world, where what's important is a "brotherhood of actions. Of deeds." Though the first-person narrative falters at times (with "dudes" and "brothers" not ringing true to Ray's voice, a father's corny words of caution and a good deal of dialogue that teaches lessons), the author clearly knows the world of high-school basketball. Sure to be a slam-dunk success with players and fans alike.
(Fiction. 12-15)

And the best review so far -
“I just wanted to let u kno wut a great book Rebound was o my goodness, it was so amazing...”
Jillian, Doylestown, PA