Battle of the Books, Book 6: Rez Ball

Rez Ball by Byron Graves was’t just a great read—it’s the kind of book that hit me where I live, a place where the gym lights burn brighter than the streetlights and the whole town shows up on game night.

Set in a small Native American community, Rez Ball captures the intensity of high school basketball culture with razor-sharp precision. The pressure, the pride, the rivalries—it’s all there. But what really stuck with me was how Graves layered that world with unflinching honesty. He doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff: racism, alcoholism, grief, and the weight young people carry when they’re planning their future.

Tre’s journey isn’t tidy. It’s raw, real, and sometimes uncomfortable—but it’s also filled with heart, hope, and a deep love for both family and the game.

Graves nailed that basketball-obsessed town dynamic. The stakes feel impossibly high when the whole town is watching, and this book captures that tension in a way that’s totally relatable—even if you’ve never worn a jersey.

Rez Ball isn’t just a sports story. It’s a story about identity, community, and resilience. And it’s one I’m so happy to have in my classroom and possibly inspire me to create a sports lit ELA class.