[2.5] this was not a bad book by any means, it was just something that i personally didn't really enjoy. it was my first time reading a novel in verse, and despite the subject of basketball not being one i was familiar with, i did like how the author used it as a storytelling aid, rather than a gimmick. i did find some of the character's decisions frustrating, such as the mc's dad not following ANY medical advice and still expecting to be okay, but i think that may have actually been on purpose, in order for us to empathise with josh and his family. while this book in particularly wasn't for me, i would definitely read more novels in verse, but maybe with subject matters i'm more familiar with.