Andre J. Garant
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I’m Gonna Win features an eleven-year-old, sixth grade boy named Matthew Casey. A basketball great in his own mind, Matt is thrilled about the prospect of playing basketball for the Austin Avengers, a team coached by his Uncle John. Being a very talented basketball player, Matt feels he’ll have no problem earning the position of Point Guard, but things turn sour when the boy doesn’t get his way. Uncle John tells Matt that he will be treated just like any other boy on the team, and Matt gets very upset when he doesn’t get what he wants in life. A terrible struggle ensues as Matt tries to cope with his social frustration, and when his terrible temper gets the best of him, his uncle asks him to leave the team. Will Matt ever act his age and learn to respect his Uncle John as a basketball coach? More importantly, will Matt ever learn that life is not always about winning or being the best? I’m Gonna Win is the heartwarming story of an angry but lovable boy who learns an important lesson in life. It is ideal for boys in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades who not only love basketball, but a good old-fashioned competition along the way.
Andre J. Garant makes his home in Tolland, Connecticut. When he’s not busy working as an accountant for a large healthcare system, he is actively writing stories for boys and girls between the ages of eight and twelve. I’m Gonna Win is the first novel that Andre published back in 1999, and is now republished with a few cosmetic changes and a brand new cover. The author enjoys visiting students in third, fourth, and fifth grades where he can share his stories and talk about the lessons that can be learned from them. For more information about the author or his books, please visit Andre’s official website at www.authorguy.com.
“Matt, can I see you for a minute?” Uncle John asked, motioning for me to come over to him.
“Yeah, sure,” I said before slapping David on the back and running over to greet my uncle with a smile from ear to ear.
“Have a seat, pal,” he said to me, patting the wooden bench with his hand. I sat down next to him and waited to hear the good news. I know, he’s going to tell me now that I’m going to get Point Guard, right? That way I won’t have to lose any sleep over it this week. “Matt, I think I should let you know that I am going to consider you just like any of the other boys who tried out today. The fact that you’re my nephew doesn’t mean I’m going to favor you over any of the others.” My smile faded to a look of confusion. “I didn’t appreciate the stunts you pulled out there today. Listen, I know you’re a good player, but you have to remember that there are other good players, too. You tried to make a show off of yourself today, and I don’t like that.”
“What do you mean, a show off?” I asked, beginning to get a little hot under the collar.
“Come on, Matt. I’ve known you since the day you were born. You’re a great kid, a great nephew, and I love you to death. But you have to stop acting so conceited all the time. A true winner doesn’t act selfishly like that. Please, tone down on the showing off and you’ll do just fine. You don’t need to impress me. I already know you’re an excellent player.”
“Uncle John, I’m not showing off for anyone,” I said, trying to defend myself. The last thing I needed right now was having him tell me how to act on the court. “You have to pick me if you want your team to be the best, simple as that.”
“See, that’s exactly what I mean, kiddo. There you go again. It’s not always about winning, Matt. Look, we’ll talk about this some other time. You better go and get changed up or you’ll miss the bus.” He gave me a friendly pat on the back to send me off.
“But, Uncle John, you are going to pick me, aren’t you?” I asked, not satisfied one bit with what I had just heard.
He shook his head briefly. “Matt, I already told you. I need the full week to think about it. I’ll talk to you later.”
I pursed my lips and thought about arguing with him. How could he say that he needed to think about it? He had the best eleven-year-old right in front of him and he needed to
