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Fred Bowen Sports Story
4 Reviews
(4)
4-6
Fred Bowen Sports Story series.
Middle schooler Trey Thompson believes he made the Ravens baseball team thanks to a lucky piece of blue sea glass. When he loses it and goes into a playing slump, caring adults and teammates encourage him to rely on practice, not superstitions, to become a top-notch player. Lots of game action lightens the story's messaging; an interesting addendum highlights superstitions of past baseball greats.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(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.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(4)
4-6
Fred Bowen Sports Story series.
Nate Osborne is on a competitive U-14 soccer team training hard to avenge their U-13 championship loss. While Nate's aunt, a former Division I player, helps with his goal-scoring, she also teaches Nate the value of winning the right way, a lesson not easily accepted by his team. The approachable, if preachy, sports novel includes an appendix with real-life stories of sportsmanship.
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
(4)
4-6
Fred Bowen Sports Story series.
Isaac is focused on pitching a perfect game--so much so that he loses focus on everything else. Then he's encouraged to help with the Special Olympics. Previously using words like "retarded" and "weird," he has a lot to learn, but soon gets a new perspective on what perfect means. The character development is predictable, but the book's lesson is laudable.
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
4 reviews
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