The Crossover Kid

When eleven-year-old Stanley Cass moves in with his fourth foster family, things seem to be changing for the better. Not only are the Bulldogs the best team around, Coach Taylor lets sixth graders into the tryouts. But Cross has a few loose ends to tie up before he can shoot hoops with the big boys. Unable to read, surrounded by bullies, and ashamed of being an orphan, Cross needs to dribble his way out of trouble before he can play in the final tournament.

Jim Upper is a former college, high school, and middle school basketball coach. Later, he worked at a residential facility for "at risk kids" in New Jersey. He has also served as a mentor for dozens of foster children through the Youth Adovcate Program. Scott Upper earned athletic scholarships to UCLA and University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a BA in Psychology. His athletic honors included becoming a three time division 1 All-American, captain of the U of M Swimming and diving team, U of M student athlete of the year, and member of the U.S National Springboard and Platform Diving Team.