The Rebound by FIONA HARRIS is the fast-paced, feel-good story of Harry Portelli, who’s stuck playing basketball with the worst training team in the school. But is winning all that matters?

Read on for a Q&A with the author.

MEET FIONA HARRIS

What inspired you to write The Rebound and create Harry’s journey?

The Rebound began with something deeply personal and tragic. A few years ago, a dear friend of mine became seriously ill and died very suddenly. I spent long days and nights in the ICU with her and her husband until she passed away, and during that time, their fourteen‑year‑old son, who lived for basketball, missed trials for the team he desperately wanted to join with his best mate because he was with us in the hospital.

Later, when his dad asked if his son could still tryout, the club said no. They knew why he’d missed the trials, but they wouldn’t allow it. I was shocked and found their lack of compassion and rigid adherence to a technicality profoundly unfair. It stayed with me, and so, when Anna McFarlane asked if I had an idea for a book about a teenage boy, I immediately thought of this. Harry’s story is ultimately different, of course, but the emotional truth of it comes from that experience. I wanted to honour that boy and my friends by writing a story about resilience, friendship, grief, and finding your way back when your whole world collapses

What can you tell us about Harry and the various challenges he faces?

Harry is 14, comes from a loving home, and is completely obsessed with basketball. He loves watching it, playing it and analysing it. His dad introduced him to the sport, and basketball is their shared passion and language. So, when Harry’s dad dies suddenly in a tragic accident, Harry loses not just a parent, but his mentor and his anchor. In the fog of his grief, and in the initial aftermath of his father’s death, Harry doesn’t want a bar of the sport he’s always loved so much. When Harry is finally ready to return a few weeks later, he discovers that he’s missed the tryouts for the team he and his father put so much time into training for. Instead, he’s placed into the lowest‑ranked basketball school team, which is a huge shock and disappointment.

Harry’s challenges include him learning to let go of his prejudice about the “loser team”, dealing with jealousy when his best friend makes the A‑team without him, rebuilding his confidence, learning how to connect with his mum and how to live with the loss of his dad. Harry also learns that it’s sometimes the people you least expect who can help you find your way back

Did you draw on any real-life experiences when writing about competitive sports and setbacks?

I absolutely did. As well as being a writer, I’ve been an actor for many years, so rejection and setbacks are part of the job description. When I was Harry’s age, I put a lot of time into preparing for an audition for a school play. I was so excited and was sure I’d get the role. When I didn’t get that part, or any part, in the show, I was devastated. My confidence was shattered, and it took a long time to bounce back. I still vividly remember how I felt back then, which made it easier to tap into Harry’s emotional world. Those feelings I had – the sting of missing out, the embarrassment and the self‑doubt – are universal, especially for teenagers who are constantly navigating insecurities and questions around who they are and where they belong

Which character did you find the most fun or challenging to write?

Writing believable boys’ voices was the biggest challenge, because I wanted the dialogue to feel real and relatable for teenage boys reading the book. I knew it would be a challenge because I have teenage daughters, not sons. Luckily, I have a teenage nephew, friends with teenage boys, and my daughter’s male friends, so I used some of them as sounding boards. I’d text them snippets of dialogue and ask, ‘Does this sound like something you’d say?’ and their (brutal) honesty was invaluable. I loved writing Lily, who brings a different kind of warmth and humour to the book, and Coach Shea, who was one hundred per cent influenced by my love of Ted Lasso.

How does the book explore teamwork beyond just sports?

My plan was always for the teamwork in The Rebound to go far beyond what happens on the court, and for it to become a lifeline for Harry. He starts the story wanting to isolate himself, especially because grief can make you feel like you’re the only person in the world who understands what you’re going through. Being part of a team forces him to reconnect, to rely on others and to let people in again.

This book explores the idea that teamwork isn’t just about winning games but is about showing up for and supporting each other when you play on a sports team. I also wanted to show that real growth and fulfilment happens when you stop thinking only about yourself. Chasing your own goals and trying to prove yourself might feel like the most important thing, but it’s never as satisfying as being part of something bigger. When you put the team first and show up for other people instead of living in your own head all the time you actually end up happier and more fulfilled. Connection beats ego every time, and Harry learns that the hard way

What message do you hope young readers learn from your story?

I hope young readers come away knowing that when life gets tough, it feels easier to push people away, but it’s the connection you have with others that helps you heal. No one gets through life alone, and it’s the support of friends, family, and teammates that can make all the difference. I also hope the power of persistence comes across in this book. I want young readers to understand through Harry’s story that when they are knocked down, or face setbacks and rejection, the most important thing is to keep getting back up.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Fiona Harris is an award-winning author, scriptwriter, and actor with over twenty years of experience across publishing, television and theatre. Over the past thirteen years, she has penned forty-seven books, including two adult fiction novels The Drop-off and The Pick-up; the middle grade fiction novel, The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks; five books and two graphic novels.

Fiona co-created the award-winning comedy web series, The Drop Off, with her husband, Mike McLeish, and in 2025 they co-adapted the script for the Dolly Parton musical, Here You Come Again, for Australian audiences.

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