"Featuring covers clearly labeled with the sport in question, action-packed stories, and characters with diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds...sure to hook sporty middle school students."
- School Library Journal
"[Micah's story is engaging and his character is realistically drawn . . . Although some of Micah's problems are related to his difficulties with seeing, many of his daily struggles involve issues familiar to young readers: gaining independence from his parents, controlling his anger, and making friends. Shot in the Dark is a well-researched, insightful book."
- Charis Cotter, National Reading Campaign
"The extension of the Lorimer Sports Series to lesser-known Paralympic sports is a good one."
- Patricia Jermey, Resource Links
"Micah's snarky, conversational narrative is a great fit for reluctant readers, and the fast-paced action will satisfy sports fans, even if they have never heard of goalball. . . . [This insightful glimpse into the life of a visually impaired teen is . . . illuminating."
- Sarah Hunter, Booklist
"The book really opened up goalball, partial sightedness, and blindness . . . I thought the book handled a tough subject really well and I learnt from it."
- Donna Maguire, NetGalley Reviewer
"I've always loved stories that take me out of my own personal experience and genuinely put me into another's. Growing up with a disability, I sought out stories of other disabled kids growing up, and found precious few. Micah's tale in Shot in the Dark would have appealed to me back then and it touched that part of me that still seeks out those kind of stories."
- Ellen Bergstrom, Educator
"Shot in the Dark provides a very realistic portrayal of teen life and what it is like to manage the expectations of school and parents plus the added weight of a disability....Micah is funny and real on every page, and the same feeling of knowing the character on the first page lasts until the end, making readers wish it would last a little longer."
- CM Magazine
"Micah struggles with what we all have acceptance, friends, and success . . . and he works to become a member of a team despite his disabilities. This is not just another sports story it is the tale of all of us, each with his or her own physical or emotional or psychological handicap looking for friendship, love and the acceptance of others - this should be read by everyone, of all ages."
- Bill Baker, Educator at York Schools, NetGalley Reviewer
"I really enjoyed this book . . . I think this book would be good for literature groups in middle school. It should spark lively discussions."
- Judy Gottschalk, Educator at White Salmon Schools, NetGalley Reviewer
"Readers will discover a new sport and learn that disabilities are obstacles that can be overcome...This is a great summer reading choice that works nicely with the #WeNeedDiverseBooks intiative. As with other Lorimer Hi-Lo selections, its age appropriate and offers a deeper read, ready for reluctant and struggling readers who have worked on their skills and are ready for the next step."
- Mom Read It, Children's Book Review Blog
"This is another Hi-Lo book from Lorimer, and its a great choice for middle schoolers and high schoolers. Weve got a lead character who works with his disability, and hes a jock on top of it! Ms. Whyte takes the time to explain and narrate goalball . . . so readers will discover a new sport and learn that disabilities are obstacles that can be overcome. . . . This is a great summer reading choice that works nicely with the #WeNeedDiverseBooks intiative. As with other Lorimer Hi-Lo selections, its age appropriate and offers a deeper read, ready for reluctant and struggling readers who have worked on their skills and are ready for the next step."
- Rosemary Kiladitis, NetGalley Reviewer
"An enjoyable read. Recommended."
- James Pilkington, NetGalley Reviewer
"Young readers will relate to young Micah's struggles: not necessarily his disability, but his anger issues, making friends, learning to be part of a team, that special relationship, and trying to become more independent of his parents. The language and tone of the book definitely feels like a young teen is speaking to the reader. It's wonderful to have a book that is based locally and illustrates the pressures young people face as they juggle parental expectations, personal goals, expectations, relationships and in this case a degenerative disability.
- Marianne Huang B.C.'s Young Readers' Choice Awards 2016/2017
"Being that I've actually played goalball and have worked with kids who play regularly — I was so excited to see that this book highlighted a sport that most kids won't be familiar with!"
- Laura Arnhold, Librarian NetGalley
