Building Character with Kate Taylor from Star of the Team

Hi everyone! Welcome to Building Character. I’d like to introduce you to Kate, the main character in STAR OF THE TEAM by Beverly Stowe McClure. Kate, can you tell us a little about you, please?

Hi, I’m Kate Taylor, eleven years old, and I live with my mom and older sister, Zoey. My mom’s also the coach for our basketball team, Angels.  I was all set for the new basketball season and to win a lot of games, then this new girl, Emily, showed up with an attitude, and we’ve had nothing but trouble since.

Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good. What kind of trouble? 

I have two major conflicts. The first is my tooth. It was knocked out at one of the games. The dentist replanted it but Mom’s afraid it’ll get knocked out again and won’t let me play until the tooth heals. By that time, the season will be over. Then there’s Emily. I don’t want to talk about her, but my mom seems to think she’s great at basketball. I guess she is good, but so am I, if I get the chance to prove it.

What are some of the biggest stumbling blocks you’ve encountered trying to overcome these problems? 

Convincing my mom I can protect the tooth if she’ll let me play has been tough. I’ve tried a couple of things to prove I can. She wasn’t impressed. Actually, they didn’t work too well. I need to come up with a way to prove to her the tooth will be safe. As for Emily, everywhere I turn, she’s there, showing off what a great player she is. Sigh. She’s playing. I’m warming the bench.

That must be very hard not being able to play. There must be a bright side, right? What have you learned while trying to resolve your situation?

One thing I’ve learned about the problem of who’s star of the team is that I’m not always right. That’s hard to accept.

Okay, let’s learn more about you. What are your three favorite leisure activities?

Talking to my doll. She understands my problems. Watching sports games live. Hanging with my friends at the ice cream store.

I talk to our bunny. She’s a really good listener. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’d like to play basketball in college and maybe in the Olympics. I think being a coach would be great.

If you could change one thing in this world, what would you change?

I’d have mothers listen better to their daughters.

Aw, Kate, I’m sure your mom is listening, she’s just concerned for you. Okay, final question. What words of wisdom would you like to share with our readers?

Watch out for elbows when you’re playing ball.

Thanks for joining us Kate. It’s been fun getting to know you. Readers, here is more information about Kate’s book STAR OF THE TEAM.

A girl. A dream. An accident. A dream shattered. Eleven-year-old Kate Taylor dreams of being the star of her basketball team, Angels. When Kate’s tooth is knocked out at one of the games and her mother, who is also her coach, says she can’t play until the tooth the dentist replants heals, Kate’s dreams are in jeopardy. Add Emily, the new girl at school who claims she’s the best, and Kate faces a challenge to prove that she is the star. Will Kate succeed? Or will Emily ruin Kate’s plans?

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B&N:  http://tinyurl.com/18r6ox4

And here is the 411 on Kate’s author, Beverly Stowe McClure.

Most of the time, you’ll find Beverly in front of her computer, writing the stories little voices whisper in her ear. Other times you’ll find her on long walks, snapping photos of wildlife and flowers. To some of her friends, she is affectionately known as the “Bug Lady” because she rescues butterflies, moths, walking sticks, and praying mantis from her cats.

For twenty-two years, Beverly taught children in grades two through five how to read and write. They taught her patience. Now, she teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church. To relax she plays the piano. Her cats don’t appreciate good music, and run and hide when she tickles the ivories.

          Beverly has several articles published in children’s magazines. Two of her stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul Anthologies. She also has twelve books published for children and teens and is the Gold Winner in the 2012 Children’s Literary Classics, and also the Silver Winner in the 2013 CLC, as well as other awards.  

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Facebook:  www.facebook.com/beverlysmcclure

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/beverlymcclure

Good Reads:  http://goodreads.com/author/show/11462.Beverly_Stowe_McClure