(4) 1-3 Zach & Zoe Mysteries series. Illustrated by Chris Danger. Readers will find more sports than mystery in these undemanding chapter-book capers starring eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe. Writing with a quick pace, Lupica checks the boxes of sportsmanship, gender equity, multiculturalism, and strong family relationships. Filling a need in many libraries, this illustrated series is suited for newly independent readers working toward Lupica's popular middle-school sports novels. Review covers these Zach & Zoe Mysteries titles: The Football Fiasco, The Half-Court Hero, and The Missing Baseball.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 As seventh grader Wes Davies's basketball team competes for a championship, his Navy-veteran father sinks into PTSD-caused alcoholism. Meanwhile, Wes's showy team nemesis "Dinero" challenges Wes's commitment--drilled into him by his father--to above all be a good teammate. Short chapters alternate between on-court action and Wes's home life. The resolution feels tidy, but hoops fans will root for resilient and likable Wes.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 1-3 Zach & Zoe Mysteries series. Illustrated by Chris Danger. Readers will find more sports than mystery in these undemanding chapter-book capers starring eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe. Writing with a quick pace, Lupica checks the boxes of sportsmanship, gender equity, multiculturalism, and strong family relationships. Filling a need in many libraries, this illustrated series is suited for newly independent readers working toward Lupica's popular middle-school sports novels. Review covers these Zach & Zoe Mysteries titles: The Football Fiasco, The Half-Court Hero, and The Missing Baseball.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 1-3 Zach & Zoe Mysteries series. Illustrated by Chris Danger. Readers will find more sports than mystery in these undemanding chapter-book capers starring eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe. Writing with a quick pace, Lupica checks the boxes of sportsmanship, gender equity, multiculturalism, and strong family relationships. Filling a need in many libraries, this illustrated series is suited for newly independent readers working toward Lupica's popular middle-school sports novels. Review covers these Zach & Zoe Mysteries titles: The Football Fiasco, The Half-Court Hero, and The Missing Baseball.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Cassie's middle-school softball team has a shot at the championship, but its dynamic is destroyed by the inclusion of a new player with Asperger's syndrome. In befriending Sarah, Cassie jeopardizes her own leadership. Lupica's preachiness interferes with his vivid sports writing in this fourth message-driven Home Team novel.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Gus's friend Cassie tries out for--and earns a spot on--the middle school boys' basketball team. Gus says he's all good with it, but hidden prejudices nag at him. Meanwhile, Gus himself experiences prejudice due to his Dominican heritage. Vivid game-time action scenes will keep readers hooked, even if the characters tend to be overly chatty off-court.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 4-6 A hard hit makes twelve-year-old wide receiver Clay Hollis fearful of concussions, and it affects his performance. But Clay's also worried about his coach/mentor, a former Dallas Cowboy who exhibits increasingly odd behavior and memory loss. The fast-paced football action is engaging, but this story's heart is its timely focus on concussive injuries and the moving relationship between Coach Cooper and his players.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Following a Little League World Series appearance, the friends from The Only Game focus on eighth grade and football. Teddy's been training hard, and things are looking great--until his absentee father unexpectedly returns. Then Jack's injury moves Teddy to quarterback, a position his father played. Lupica's game-day details never fail, but Teddy's complex relationship with his father is the novel's emotional focus.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 When Tommy Gallagher's firefighter father dies on duty, Tommy is told he's "the man of the house now"; not an easy duty for a middle schooler. Tommy turns to football, a love of his father's, yet struggles when the sport provides no easy answers. The setting is bolstered by Lupica's Boston sports references; realistic play-by-play action and dramatic family conflict are expertly balanced.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Everyone is shocked when seventh grader Jack Callahan quits his baseball team. Jack spends time helping coach new friends, softball standout Cassie and baseball-challenged Teddy. These friendships allow him to deal with his brother's fatal accident. Lupica's game-time segments come later in the novel, allowing an emotional story of loss, friendship, and love of baseball to unfold.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 After his mother dies, twelve-year-old white orphan Jayson shifts his attention toward surviving on his own and playing basketball. When he gets caught stealing sneakers, Protective Services places Jayson with an affluent black family, shaking up his world in unexpected ways. While the story touches on socioeconomic and racial themes, Lupica's strong sports writing puts readers right in the middle of the games.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old footballer Charlie is a savant at analyzing game strategy and players--a talent he uses as his team's benchwarmer. When his best friend Anna introduces Charlie to her grandfather, owner of a new Los Angeles NFL team, Charlie's talent is tapped to help the struggling franchise. The concept is a football kid's fantasy, while the intergenerational relationship adds depth and heart.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Charismatic Ben McBain joins his favorite sidekicks (Game Changers; Playmakers) for another sports season, this time All-Star baseball. Conflict comes quickly when Ben slumps after being hit by a pitch and Justin struggles with his parent's divorce. By trying to help one another, the friends also help themselves. Lupica's captivating play-by-play details pull the reader into the games, right alongside these sports-loving characters.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Floating high from their football championship (Game Changers), Ben McBain and his middle-school teammates prepare for their basketball season. Ben soon becomes distracted by the team's new point guard, Chase. The rivalry pushes them beyond sportsmanship and challenges Ben's own friendships, including the attention of Lily, "the coolest eleven-year-old girl on the planet." The story balances realistic character development with exciting on-the-court action.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Riding the fast track to the NBA is fifteen-year-old Drew Robinson--pegged to be the next LeBron James. While maneuvering his world of basketball handlers, Drew becomes mesmerized by a mysterious, long-lost legend. This an appealing, discernible cautionary tale, and the spot-on basketball action and likable characters support the narrative.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Talented and tough, eleven-year-old Pop Warner football player Ben McBain dreams of being quarterback of his team--but he's short. As the season wears on and quarterback Shawn (the coach's son) flounders, Ben proves he's ultimately the right guy for the position. This story of football, friendship, and being true to oneself is full of satisfying sports detail.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 After the local sneaker factory closes, many of the residents of twelve-year-old footballer Will's town leave--along with their booster money. Determined to save his season, Will contacts the CEO of New Balance for sponsorship while rallying the few kids who are still around to field a team. Strong character development and sports details create a solid, satisfying, feel-good story.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Fourteen-year-old Brian, the son of a washed-up major-league pitcher, watches every home-game up-close: he's a batboy for the Detroit Tigers. Divorced parents, a disgruntled player, and Brian's own batting slump complicate his life. Lupica's engaging narrative, full of vivid baseball action, teaches readers about the games people play on and off the field.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(3) 4-6 Zach is devastated to learn that his father, an advisor to the president, has been killed in a plane crash. Holding out hope that Dad isn't really dead, Zach visits the crash site. He runs into a mysterious old man--and finds out about his own superpowers. Lupica has crafted a tight, suspenseful superhero adventure; a sequel seems likely.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Comeback Kids series. With quick feet and a passion to "take it all the way," Jake rules in soccer. But his glory days on championship teams fade away after his family moves to a new town--and Jake joins a losing squad. Realistic soccer commentary and lively dialogue bolster this story of a believable group of athletes whose personal struggles match their challenges on the turf.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull