Gus loves basketball -- that is, basketball practice with Pete, the coach, and shooting baskets at Grandpa's house with only Grandpa's dog, Skipper, in attendance. Basketball games are another story. What if Gus misses every basket, and everybody laughs? If only his parents wouldn't come. Gus is especially unnerved by his father's shouting. Then Grandpa comes to Gus's last game and teaches him the secret of success -- to tune out the other voices and listen to his own.

Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock present the seventh beginning reader starring Gus and Grandpa, of whom Kirkus Reviews says, "They're lucky to have each other -- and readers are lucky to have them."