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(2)
4-6
Narrator Tony Washington's friend Dante Jones, the number-two-ranked high-school basketball player in the country, was shot and killed by the police on the kids' neighborhood court. Now Tony, who is still very much in mourning, is determined to make the under-fourteen AAU team to honor Dante and to live out his own hoop dreams. When he doesn't make the team, he feels even more lost and ready to give up: "Who even cares about a silly game throwing a stupid ball into a dumb net?" But Coach James finds a way for math-nerd Tony to be on the team: in the role of statistician. The book is divided into four quarters, and descriptions of Tony's analytics and sports action sequences are enhanced by former NBA standout Butler's deep knowledge of the game. Off the court, too, players have worldview-expanding experiences through Coach's guidance and visits to an art museum at an HBCU, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Disney World, and the ocean. Though heavy on sports metaphors for life, the story is notable for its consideration of racism, justice, inequality, and trauma along with exciting basketball action and memorable characters.
Reviewer: Dean Schneider
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2022
256 pp.
| HarperCollins/HarperAlley
| May, 2022
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-305677-0$21.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-06-305676-3$12.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-06-305680-0$11.99
(2)
4-6
In Christmas's debut graphic novel, Bree and her dad are moving to Florida from Brooklyn for his new job. Bree is excited for the first day of school until she finds out swim class is the only available elective. Bree doesn't know how to swim but is too embarrassed to tell the teacher. When her neighbor, Ms. Etta, finds out Bree's secret, she offers to give her private lessons. The lessons pay off, and Bree joins the swim team to improve her grade. When arguments among team members threaten to break them up, Ms. Etta and her friends step in to help them pull together, and when Bree finds out her dad can't swim, she teaches him. Like Johnson's Twins (rev. 11/20) and Craft's New Kid (rev. 1/19), this enjoyable graphic novel deals with familiar and middle-grade-appropriate themes of friendship, perseverance, and overcoming fears. The accessible illustrations add to the humorous (and sometimes serious) moments within the text. The book also introduces readers to the history of Black people being denied access to public pools, which limited their ability to learn to swim.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77138-654-8$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mike Lowery.
"Soccer was a ball-kicking, leg-pumping, heart-thumping good time" until a boy's father joins his team. Dad--pictured in the childlike digital illustrations in a belly-button-revealing jersey--whines about his assigned position, acts silly on the sidelines, etc. This latest parent/child switcheroo, from the team behind The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten, is quite humorous, though readers will quickly get the drawn-out didactic point.
(4)
4-6
Baseball Genius series.
Twelve-year-old Jalen DeLuca (Baseball Genius) is desperate to play travel baseball, but his single dad can't afford the fees. When Jalen is caught stealing baseballs signed by Yankee James Yager, he uses his uncanny ability to predict pitches to help save Yager's flagging career. Themes of bullying and perseverance are woven through this second implausible baseball story. Short chapters keep things moving until the abrupt ending.
229 pp.
| Philomel
| November, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-51485-5$17.99
(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.
293 pp.
| Simon
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-1007-6$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-1009-0
(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.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox JV Girls series.
Figure skating, gymnastics, volleyball, and softball action (and stereotypical girl-drama) dominate these message-driven short novels about middle-school girls who learn lessons concerning the importance of doing the right thing for your friends and yourself while seeking the glory of winning. The easy-to-read, engaging hi-lo books also include discussion questions, writing prompts, and interesting facts about each sport. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox JV Girls titles: Aerials and Envy, Back Row Dynamo, Catching Confidence, and Spinning Away.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox JV series.
Breakneck soccer, football, basketball, and baseball action dominate these message-driven short novels about middle-school boys who learn lessons concerning the importance of doing the right thing for your friends and yourself while seeking the glory of winning. The easy-to-read, engaging hi-lo books also include discussion questions, writing prompts, and interesting facts about each sport. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox JV titles: Block and Rock, Free Throw Fail, Home Safe Home, and Soccer Sabotage.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox Graphic Novels series.
Illustrated by
Eduardo Garcia
&
Benny Fuentes.
In Half-Pipe, snowboarder Payton is humiliated after his wipe-out on the slopes goes viral. Faceoff finds ice hockey player Jax facing off against his former BFF. The texts are message-y ("There's no shame in trying your best and not coming out on top"), but the graphic novel format and sports action may draw reluctant readers. "Visual Questions" of varying interest are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Graphic Novels titles: Faceoff Fall Out and Half-Pipe Panic.
202 pp.
| Lee/Tu
| June, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62014-588-3$18.95
(3)
4-6
Peace, Love, and Softball series.
Illustrated by
Ruth McNally Barshaw.
The sister coauthors, both softball players (Jessica Mendoza is a two-time Olympic medalist), weave unusually detailed, useful information about softball into the story of twelve-year-old Sophia Garcia trying to prove herself to be as good a ballplayer as her older sister. Lessons about sportsmanship, finding one's own strengths, familial loyalty, and societal pressures are smoothly integrated into the warm family story. Doodle-like spot art is included.
40 pp.
| Eerdmans
| August, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8028-5501-5$17.00
(3)
K-3
Translated by David Colmer.
Illustrated by
Wolf Elbruch.
This is a unique collection of poems covering all aspects of sports and sportsmanship, including winning and losing and believing in yourself. With poems on running, cycling, tennis, and swimming as well as tree sports and playing in the snow, this Dutch import has far-reaching appeal. Each poem is illustrated with a silly animal-athlete caricature.
(4)
4-6
Fred Bowen Sports Story series.
After rigorous tryouts, Richie Mallon makes the middle-school basketball team under a new coach. Richie's unembellished first-person narrative traces his development over the season, from egocentric jump-shooter to a cooperative team player who passes, rebounds, and plays good defense. The feel-good if message-heavy sports story includes a final postscript discussing history of the jump-shot and great real-life shooters.
120 pp.
| Darby Creek
| September, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5124-3982-3$26.65
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5124-5352-2$7.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-4871-9
(4)
YA
Gridiron series.
A former-soccer-player girl learns to become a kicker (Extra); a senior running back loses his spot to the new kid (False); a competitive linebacker considers pushing his concussed teammate back into a game (Hit). While lacking meaty plot lines, lessons about overcoming individual trials and practicing good sportsmanship are woven through these football-focused hi-lo novels. There are three other fall 2017 books in this series. Review covers these Gridiron titles: The Late Hit, False Start, and The Extra Point.
122 pp.
| Darby Creek
| September, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5124-3979-3$26.65
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5124-5351-5$7.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-4868-9
(4)
YA
Gridiron series.
A former-soccer-player girl learns to become a kicker (Extra); a senior running back loses his spot to the new kid (False); a competitive linebacker considers pushing his concussed teammate back into a game (Hit). While lacking meaty plot lines, lessons about overcoming individual trials and practicing good sportsmanship are woven through these football-focused hi-lo novels. There are three other fall 2017 books in this series. Review covers these Gridiron titles: The Late Hit, False Start, and The Extra Point.
149 pp.
| Simon
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-9148-8$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-9150-1
(4)
4-6
With Paul Mantell. Baseball fans won't care that there's as much moralizing as sports writing in this fourth novel starring Jeter's younger self. This book centers on Derek's jeopardized friendship with teammate Dave due to Dave's parents' prejudice toward the less-well-off, interracial Jeter family. Stiff prose and superficial interpersonal relationships can't tarnish the appeal of Jeter's name on the cover.
70 pp.
| Viking
| November, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-425-29036-1$14.99
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Amy Wummer.
Harry and Doug can't wait for field day, especially with a secret prize waiting for the winner. Doug worries when Harry is tricking his way to the top, but other students start cheating as payback. While the characters' cycle of cheating and apologizing becomes repetitive, readers should enjoy the genuine, lighthearted antics, accompanied by pen-and-ink spot illustrations.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox Graphic Novels series.
Illustrated by
Bere Muñiz.
In Catcher, Eddie quits baseball after a humiliating four strikeouts in the championship game. Switch finds Andre frustrated by his new soccer coach's unconventional methods. The texts are message-y ("if we want to make the championship...you need to trust me. Trust your team"), but the graphic novel format and sports action may draw reluctant readers. "Visual Questions" of varying interest are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Graphic Novels titles: Comeback Catcher and Soccer Switch.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox Sports Stories series.
Illustrated by
Sean Tiffany.
Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in tennis (Doubles), football (Punter's), bull-riding (Rodeo), and golf (Secondhand). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of focus and fair play to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Double Trouble, Punter's Pride, Rodeo Challenge, and Secondhand Slice.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox JV series.
Breakneck soccer, football, basketball, and baseball action dominate these message-driven short novels about middle-school boys who learn lessons concerning the importance of doing the right thing for your friends and yourself while seeking the glory of winning. The easy-to-read, engaging hi-lo books also include discussion questions, writing prompts, and interesting facts about each sport. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox JV titles: Block and Rock, Free Throw Fail, Home Safe Home, and Soccer Sabotage.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox JV Girls series.
Figure skating, gymnastics, volleyball, and softball action (and stereotypical girl-drama) dominate these message-driven short novels about middle-school girls who learn lessons concerning the importance of doing the right thing for your friends and yourself while seeking the glory of winning. The easy-to-read, engaging hi-lo books also include discussion questions, writing prompts, and interesting facts about each sport. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox JV Girls titles: Aerials and Envy, Back Row Dynamo, Catching Confidence, and Spinning Away.