On the Devil's Court

Deuker's first YA novel is an absorbing reworking of the Faustian legend, with plenty of relevance for modern readers. Joe Faust, 17, who has always lived in the shadow of his scientist father, suffers a slump when everything in his life goes wrong. He doesn't fit in at his new school, flubs the basketball team tryouts and, perhaps worst of all, finds that his words have been distorted in a tabloid article smearing his father. While practicing alone on an abandoned basketball court, Joe agrees to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for a perfect season. Or does he? Joe doesn't really believe in the devil, but when he suddenly gets to join the team, which then goes on to its first undefeated seasonwith him as the star player, he isn't so sure. And when he easily earns straight ``A's'' (he'd always struggled to get even a ``C+''), Joe is convinced that some outside force is aiding him. Deuker skillfully blends gritty basketball action with well-rounded characters to create a vivid contemporary morality tale. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)