2015 Newbery Medal Winner2015 Coretta Scott King Honor Award WinnerNew York Times Bestseller "With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander. Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.
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9780544107717
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Hardcover
Soar
By Bauer, Joan
Newbery Honor-winner Joan Bauer's newest protagonist always sees the positive side of any situation - and readers will cheer him on!Jeremiah is the world's biggest baseball fan. He really loves baseball and he knows just about everything there is to know about his favorite sport. So when he's told he can't play baseball following an operation on his heart, Jeremiah decides he'll do the next best thing and become a coach.Hillcrest, where Jeremiah and his father Walt have just moved, is a town known for its championship baseball team. But Jeremiah finds the town caught up in a scandal and about ready to give up on baseball. It's up to Jeremiah and his can-do spirit to get the town - and the team - back in the game.Full of humor, heart, and baseball lore, Soar is Joan Bauer at her best.
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9780451470348
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Hardcover
Tangerine
By Bloor, Edward
Paul Fisher sees the world from behind glasses so thick he looks like a bug-eyed alien. But he’s not so blind that he can’t see there are some very unusual things about his family’s new home in Tangerine County, Florida. Where else does a sinkhole swallow the local school, fire burn underground for years, and lightning strike at the same time every day? The chaos is compounded by constant harassment from his football–star brother, and adjusting to life in Tangerine isn’t easy for Paul—until he joins the soccer team at his middle school. With the help of his new teammates, Paul begins to discover what lies beneath the surface of his strange new hometown. And he also gains the courage to face up to some secrets his family has been keeping from him for far too long.
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9780152012465
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Hardcover
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies
By Cochrane, Mick
For an eighth grader, Molly Williams has more than her fair share of problems. Her father has just died in a car accident, and her mother has become a withdrawn, quiet version of herself.Molly doesn't want to be seen as "Miss Difficulty Overcome"; she wants to make herself known to the kids at school for something other than her father's death. So she decides to join the baseball team. The boys' baseball team. Her father taught her how to throw a knuckleball, and Molly hopes it's enough to impress her coaches as well as her new teammates.Over the course of one baseball season, Molly must figure out how to redefine her relationships to things she loves, loved, and might love: her mother; her brilliant best friend, Celia; her father; her enigmatic and artistic teammate, Lonnie; and of course, baseball.
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9780375856822
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Hardcover
Leverage
By Cohen, Joshua C.
A Top Ten Best Fiction Book for Young Adults as Selected by the American Library Association The football field is a battlefield Theres an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High It is paid on-and off-the football field And it claims its victims without mercy-including the most innocent bystanders When a violent steroid-infused ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a schools salvation Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty flawed justice and hard-won optimism of two young athletes
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9780525423065
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Hardcover
Gutless
By Deuker, Carl
With good speed and good hands, wide receiver Brock Ripley should be a natural for the varsity team, but he shies away from physical contact. He also avoids provoking the star quarterback, Hunter Gates, well known for his bullying tactics. Hunter struggles on the field, causing him to act even more like the bully he is, lashing out at not only Brock but also Brock's friend, the quiet and smart Richie Fang. Brock wants to stand up for Fang, but he is younger, smaller, and doesn't want to cause problems. But when the bullying goes too far, will Brock be able to face his fears and prove to himself that he is brave enough?
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9780544649613
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Print book
Payback Time
By Deuker, Carl
Overweight, somewhat timid Mitch reluctantly agrees to be the sports reporter for the Lincoln High newspaper because he is determined to be a writer, but he senses a real story in Angel, a talented football player who refuses to stand out on the field--or to discuss his past.
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9780547279817
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Hardcover
Last Shot
By Feinstein, John
Steven Thomas is one of two lucky winners of the U.S. Basketball Writer’s Association’s contest for aspiring journalists. His prize? A trip to New Orleans and a coveted press pass for the Final Four. It’s a basketball junkie’s dream come true!But the games going on behind the scenes between the coaches, the players, the media, the money-men, and the fans turn out to be even more fiercely competitive than those on the court. Steven and his fellow winner, Susan Carol Anderson, are nosing around the Superdome and overhear what sounds like a threat to throw the championship game. Now they have just 48 hours to figure out who is blackmailing one of MSU’s star players . . . and why.Praise for John Feinstein:“The best writer of sports books in America today. SEQUELS: Vanishing Act: Mystery at the U.S. Open (2006), Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl(2007), Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series (2009), The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game (2010), Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympic Games (2012).
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375931686
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Library Binding
Foul Trouble
By Feinstein, John
Bestselling sportswriter John Feinstein exposes the big money and back-room deals that pervade college-basketball recruiting in this fast-break young adult novel. Terrell Jamerson is the #1 high school basketball player in the country. His team is poised to win State, top colleges are lining up to give him scholarships, and everyone says he could play in the NBA tomorrow. But it only takes one false step to lose everything. Danny Wilcox is Terrell's best friend and teammate, and a top prospect himself, but these days it seems like everyone wants to get close to Terrell: the sneaker guys, the money managers, the college boosters. They show up offering fast cars, hot girls, and cold, hard cash. They say they just want to help, but their kind of help could get Terrell disqualified. Danny and Terrell better keep their eyes on the ball if they hope to last the season. John Feinstein has been praised as "the best writer of sports books in America today" (The Boston Globe) , and he proves it again in this fast-paced novel. "Thorough and suspenseful; a must-read for those interested in basketball and the dealings surrounding the sport." - Kirkus Reviews, StarredFrom the Hardcover edition.
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9780375869648
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Paperback
Stick
By Harmon, Michael
"Stick" is the best wide receiver in the history of his high school - the football seems magnetically drawn to his hands, hence his nickname. Preston is an outcast, and his pipsqueak stature and nerdy social status couldn't be further from a star athlete's. Stick puts on his football costume every week to make others - his teammates, his dad, everyone but himself - happy, but he's fallen out of love with the sport and feels that he's lost control of his future. Preston puts on his homemade superhero costume every night to help others, too: to avenge his father's murder, he's determined to right the wrongs he sees in his neighborhood and regain control of the flawed world he sees around him. A twist of fate brings this unlikely pair together in a friendship that is as odd as it is true.
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9780385754361
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Hardcover
The Football Girl
By Heldring, Thatcher
For every athlete or sports fanatic who knows she's just as good as the guys. This is for fans of The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, Grace, Gold, and Glory by Gabrielle Douglass and Breakaway: Beyond the Goal by Alex Morgan. The summer before Caleb and Tessa enter high school, friendship has blossomed into a relationship . . . and their playful sports days are coming to an end. Caleb is getting ready to try out for the football team, and Tessa is training for cross-country. But all their structured plans derail in the final flag game when they lose. Tessa doesn't want to end her career as a loser. She really enjoys playing, and if she's being honest, she likes it even more than running cross-country. So what if she decided to play football instead? What would happen between her and Caleb? Or between her two best friends, who are counting on her to try out for cross-country with them? And will her parents be upset that she's decided to take her hobby to the next level? This summer Caleb and Tessa figure out just what it means to be a boyfriend, girlfriend, teammate, best friend, and someone worth cheering for.
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9780385741835
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Print book
Safe at Second
By Johnson, Scott
Paulie Lockwood's best friend Todd Bannister is destined for the major leagues until a line drive to the head causes him to lose an eye and they both must find a new future for themselves.
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399233652
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The Flip Side
By Johnson, Shawn
From gold medalist and reality TV star Shawn Johnson comes a debut YA novel inspired by her own experiences as an elite teenage gymnast just in time for the Summer 2016 Olympic games. Charlie Ryland has a secret. She may "seem" like your average high school sophomore but she s just really good at pretending. Because outside of school Charlie spends all her waking hours training to become one of the best gymnasts in the world. And it s not easy flying under the radar when you re aiming for Olympic gold especially when an irresistible guy comes along and threatens to throw your whole world off balance. Inspired by her own experiences as a fifteen-year-old Olympic gymnast, gold medalist Shawn Johnson writes a delightfully entertaining novel about chasing big dreams and falling in love, all while trying to keep it real. "
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9781481460217
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Print book
Heat
By Lupica, Mike
The 1 Bestseller!Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat along with aspirations of leading his team all the way to the Little League World Series. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the familys escape from Cuba, Michaels only family is his seventeen-yearold brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care systemor worse, sent back to Cuba. Together, the boys carry on alone, dodging bills and anyone who asks too many questions. But then someone wonders how a twelve-year-old boy could possibly throw with as much power as Michael Arroyo throws. With no way to prove his age, no birth certificate, and no parent to fight for his cause, Michaels secret world is blown wide open, and he discovers that family can come from the most unexpected sources.
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9780142407578
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Paperback
The Only Game
By Lupica, Mike
Can a young baseball star maintain his love of the game after the loss of his brother? Find out in this start to the Home Team series about a small town with high hopes, from New York Times bestselling author and sportswriting legend Mike Lupica.Jack Callahan is the star of his baseball team and sixth grade is supposed to be his year. Undefeated season. Records shattered. Little League World Series. The works. That is, until he up and quits. Jack's best friend Gus can't understand how Jack could leave a game that means more to them than anything else. But Jack is done. It's a year of change. Jack's brother has passed away, and though his family and friends and the whole town of Walton thinks baseball is just the thing he needs to move on, Jack feels it's anything but. In comes Cassie Bennett, star softball player, and the only person who seems to think Jack shouldn't play if he doesn't want to. As Jack and Cassie's friendship deepens, their circle expands to include Teddy, a guy who's been picked on because of his weight. Time spent with these new friends unlocks something within Jack, and with their help and the support of his family and his old friends, Jack discovers sometimes it's more than just the love of the game that keeps us moving - and he might just be able to find his way back to The Only Game.
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9781481409957
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Hardcover
Goldfish
By Luurtsema, Nat
I am Lou Brown:Social outcast, precocious failure, 5'10" and still growing. I was on the fast track to the Olympic superstardom. Now, I'm training boys too cool to talk to me. In a sport I just made up. In a fish tank.My life has quickly become very weird. Nat Luurtsema's YA debut is side-splittingly funny and painfully true to anyone who's just trying to figure out how they fit into the world.
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9781250089182
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Print book
Hit Count
By Lynch, Chris
"I hit him so hard, the clash of helmets and pads sounded like a gunshot across the field. I crushed him with the hit, held on to him and crushed him again when I slammed him into the ground . . . I had arrived." Arlo Brodie loves being at the heart of the action on the football field, getting hit hard and hitting back harder. Arlos dad cheers him on, but his mother quotes head injury statistics and refuses to watch games. Arlos girlfriend tries to make him see how dangerously hes playing; when that doesnt work, she calls time out on their relationship.Even Arlos coaches begin to track his hit count, ready to pull him off the field when he nears the limit. But for Arlo the winning plays, the cheering crowds, and the adrenaline rush are enough to convince him that everything is OK--in spite of the pain, the pounding, the dizziness, and the confusion. "Powerful." - The New York Times Book Review "Sharp." - Sports Illustrated "Heart-pounding." - Washington Independent Review of Books "A powerful provocative look at the dark side of popular sports and their potential cost." - Publishers Weekly "This unflinching examination of the price of athletic power with plenty of bone-crunching play-by-play action, is both thought-provoking and formidable." - The Horn Book Magazine A BOOKLIST 2015 Top Ten Sports Books for Youth A Junior Library Guild Selection
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9781616202507
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Paperback
Game Change
By Monninger, Joseph
Seventeen-year-old Zeb Holloway is happy to work in his uncle's auto repair shop and cruise through school without much effort. He's a quarterback on his high school's undefeated football team, but he never plays. Why would he when T.T. Munroe - a walking, talking highlight real - is around? That is, until T.T's injured a week before the state championships. Now Zeb is starting. As he assumes the role of QB and team leader, the entire town is watching him. And when a college recruiter says Zeb could have a future beyond his small New Hampshire town, he realizes there's a bigger life out there for him . . . if he can play his heart out.
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9780544531222
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Hardcover
Ball Don't Lie
By Pena, Matt De La
Sticky is a beat-around-the-head foster kid with nowhere to call home but the street, and an outer shell so tough that no one will take him in. He started out life so far behind the pack that the finish line seems nearly unreachable. He’s a white boy living and playing in a world where he doesn’t seem to belong. But Sticky can ball. And basketball might just be his ticket out . . . if he can only realize that he doesn’t have to be the person everyone else expects him to be. Matt de la Peña's breakout urban masterpiece, Ball Don’t Lie takes place where the street and the court meet and where a boy can be anything if he puts his mind to it.AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTSAN ALA QUICK PICK FOR RELUCTANT READERS[STAR] "[An] inspiring story.
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9780385734257
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Paperback
If You're Reading This
By Reedy, Trent
From the author of WORDS IN THE DUST and DIVIDED WE FALL: A heartwarming book about a son reconnecting with the father he lost in Afghanistan.Mike was seven when his father was killed in mysterious circumstances in Afghanistan. Eight years later, the family still hasn't recovered: Mike's mom is overworked and overprotective; his younger sister Mary feels no connection to the father she barely remembers; and in his quest to be "the man of the family," Mike knows he's missing out on everyday high school life.Then, out of the blue, Mike receives a letter from his father -- the first of a series Dad wrote in Afghanistan, just in case he didn't come home, meant to share some wisdom with his son on the eve of Mike's 16th birthday. As the letters come in, Mike revels in spending time with his dad again, and takes his encouragement to try new things -- to go out for the football team, and ask out the beautiful Isma.
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9780545433426
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Hardcover
Always a Catch
By Richmond, Peter
A ripped-from-the-headlines story about teens and steroids.From a New York Times bestselling sports writer comes the story of one boy's quest to stay true to himself without letting down his team. Jack and his father have never seen eye to eye ... until Jack's dad gives him the chance to transfer to Oakhurst his junior year. His dad sees it as a way for Jack to get into a good college; Jack sees it as refuge from his dad. Oakhurst is more than an escape - it's a chance for Jack to do something new, to try out for the football team. Once Jack makes the team, he's thrust into a foreign world - one of intense hazing, vitamin supplements, monkey hormones and steroids. Jack has to decide how far he's willing to go to fit in - and how much he's willing to compromise himself to be the man his team wants him to be.Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.Praise for ALWAYS A CATCH:"Richmond has written an above-average story that will appeal to fans of the genre and authors, such as Mike Lupica and Tim Green."--School Library Journal "A dynamic but thoughtful novel of self-discovery."--Kirkus Reviews "Richmond skillfully delivers scene after scene of gridiron grit while maintaining Jack's wit and charm, and pulling off a winning story, on and off the field. Readers can only hope that this isn't Richmond's last young adult novel."--Publishers Weekly "This is a quick and easy read that leaves the reader with hope for Jack's future."--Library Media Connection
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9780399250552
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Book
Under The Baseball Moon
By Ritter, John H
Andy Ramos, a free-style skateboarding trumpeter, has dreams as big as a baseball moon. Born into a family of musicians, Andy wants to take his unique fusion of Latin jazz, rock, and hip-hop straight to the top. But when he crosses paths with Glory Martinez, a softball pitcher who
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9780399236235
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Book
Winger
By Smith, Andrew
A teen at boarding school grapples with life, love, and rugby in a heartbreakingly funny novel.Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids. He's living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he's madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy. With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life's complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what's important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart. Filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen's experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.
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9781442444928
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Hardcover
There's a Girl in My Hammerlock
By Spinelli, Jerry
Eighth-grader Maisie endures the skepticism of the coach and the ridicule of the kids in school to join the wrestling team and be near Eric Delong, her true love. Reprint.
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9780671866952
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Paperback
Game Seven
By Volponi, Paul
A fastball of a book by Paul Volponi - an author who knows sports and suspense!
Julio Ramirez Jr. lives in the shadow of his famous father. Not just because Julio Senior is a pitcher for the Miami Marlins and famous for his scorching fastball, but because he defected from Cuba, leaving Julio and his sister and mother branded as the family of a traitor. Now sixteen, Julio has dreams of playing shortstop for Cubas national team--until hes given the opportunity to sail to the U.S. Can he abandon his family, just like his Papi did? Is freedom worth the perilous journey and risking prison if hes caught? Will his Papi be waiting for him on the other shore - or, with the Marlins in the World Series against the Yankees, has Julio Senior forgotten all about his son?
"An entertaining tale of baseball, family and loyalty." - Kirkus Reviews
"Volponi once again delivers top-notch sports fare coupled with a deeper story of family and fidelity. . . Readers will identify with Julio as he juggles dreams, bitterness, and family loyalties in this lyrical, spare novel." - BOOKLIST
"A poignant story. . . this is a must-read for any teen who not only loves stories about sports but also enjoys reading about families." - VOYA
Read more Continue reading Read less REVIEW
Praise for Game Seven:
"An entertaining tale of baseball, family and loyalty." - Kirkus Reviews
"Volponi once again delivers top-notch sports fare coupled with a deeper story of family and fidelity. . . Readers will identify with Julio as he juggles dreams, bitterness, and family loyalties in this lyrical, spare novel." - Booklist
"A poignant story. . . this is a must-read for any teen who not only loves stories about sports but also enjoys reading about families." - VOYA
Praise for The Final Four by Paul Volponi:
"A triple-overtime game keeps readers on the edge of their seats." - BCCB, starred review
"This gritty, realistic, and riveting novel deserves the wide audience it will no doubt attract." - School Library Journal, starred review
"Volponi nails it when it counts in this dynamic story." - Booklist, starred review
"Volponi, a multiple award-winning author, keeps the tension high from the first to last page ... The Final Four is definitely a winner." - VOYA, starred review
"Volponis latest combines in-the-moment action, basketball history and the points of view of four college ballplayers with very different lives ... No story or character is simple." - Kirkus Reviews
"The Final Four does a terrific job of capturing the emotion of March Madness." - Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Mens Basketball, Duke University
"This is a great story about how one sport can transcend different experiences, backgrounds, and beliefs, and unite in a desire to succeed." - Jim Calhoun, Head Coach, Mens Basketball, University of Connecticut (2010 National Champions)
"It was inspirational to a coach and full of lessons to children of many ages." - Jamie Dixon, Head Coach, Mens Basketball, University of Pittsburgh
"A rocket ride of a plot that rips you into the story from the first line." - Paul Griffin, author of Stay With Me
"Paul Volponi delivers a high-octane basketball story fans will cheer for." - Tim Green, author of Deep Zone, a Football Genius novel ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Volponi (www.paulvolponibooks.com) is a writer, journalist, and teacher. He has taught incarcerated teens to write on Rikers Island and he taught adolescents in a drug-treatment program in New York City. EXCERPT. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From his chair, Uncle Ramon kicked his shoes off and dug his feet deep into the sand.
"Your papi was able to get a sum of money into Cuba through a Canadian turista," he said, as the smell of swordfish filtered through the salty air. "That money was given to Gabriel."
I was pissed. My family had struggled for every peso, just to meet the bills. No wonder Gabriel could afford steaks like these.
"Why?" I demanded. "How come our money went to him?"
"So Gabriel can get us out of Cuba," Uncle Ramon replied, before popping the top on a can of soda with a tsssp.
Those words seemed to hang in the air for a moment - get us out of Cuba.
I only felt the weight of them when Luis grabbed hold of my arm and gasped, "Holy crap."
My heart began beating harder and harder inside my chest, and I had to actually think about taking my next breath.
"And thats his payment?" I asked, hoping to steady myself.
"Payment?" repeated Gabriel, turning the steaks on the grill with a long metal fork. "No. Theres nothing for me. That money covered the entire cost of building - "
"Look! Down the beach!" interrupted Luis. "Police!"
There were two officers on a motorcycle with a sidecar. It had three wide wheels, meant to power its way over the sandy shore. They were slowly making their way from the far end of the beach toward where wed camped.
"Just act naturally. Remember the truth: youre baseball players from Matanzas celebrating a victory over Puerto Padre. Nothing more," instructed Gabriel. "Besides, I know these two, what theyre all about."
"You know them?" asked Luis.
"I make it my business to," answered Gabriel, through the smoke from the barbecue.
The policemen rolled past the families and kids without any interest. But they took a long glance at the two girls reading on their blankets. They seemed about to pass us, too, before Gabriel called out to them, "Officers! A moment, please!"
I shot Uncle Ramon a concerned look, already feeling the sweat on my palms.
"Ive learned to trust him," Uncle Ramon said quietly, barely moving his lips. "Theres no other way."
Gabriel took one of the st
Publisher: n/a
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9780670785186
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Hardcover
Next
By Waltman, Kevin
In Indiana, basketball is the next thing to religion. Especially for inner-city black kids like Derrick Bowen. He's a 6'3" freshman, lightning quick, and he can slam the rock. He wants to start at point guard for Marion High, but senior Nick Starks has that nailed down. Besides, the coach is old school. He thinks D-Bow needs to work on his game, his shot, and his attitude. That means bench time. And that's when Hamilton Academy, the elite school in the suburbs, comes sniffing around. They want D-Bow for the next three years. His mom wants no part of that. But his father needs a job, and Uncle Kid, who is a bitter ex-star at Marion High, has his own plans. Yeah, there's a pretty girl and a best friend in the mix. Plus plenty of basketball action and suspense just like high school boys like to read. SEQUEL:Slump (2014).
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9781935955641
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Book
A Season of Daring Greatly
By White, Ellen Emerson
Eighteen-year-old Jill Cafferty just made history. Her high school's star pitcher, she is now the first woman drafted by a major league baseball team. Only days after her high school graduation, she'll join the Pittsburgh Pirates' Class A Short Season team . . . but not everyone is happy to have her there. On top of the pressure heaped on every pitcher, Jill must deal with defying conventions and living up to impossible expectations, all while living away from home for the first time. She'll go head-to-head against those who are determined to keep baseball an all-male sport. Despite the reassurance of coaches and managers alike, a few of her teammates are giving her trouble. The media presence following her at each game is inescapable. And to top it all off, Jill is struggling with the responsibilities of being a national hero and a role model for young women everywhere. How can she be a role model when she's not even sure she made the right choice for herself? Didn't baseball used to be fun?This literary and engrossing story of a young woman trying to mark out a place for herself in a male-dominated world will captivate fans of Friday Night Lights, The Art of Fielding, John Corey Whaley, and Laurie Halse Anderson.
The Crossover
By Alexander, Kwame
2015 Newbery Medal Winner2015 Coretta Scott King Honor Award WinnerNew York Times Bestseller "With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander. Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.
Soar
By Bauer, Joan
Newbery Honor-winner Joan Bauer's newest protagonist always sees the positive side of any situation - and readers will cheer him on!Jeremiah is the world's biggest baseball fan. He really loves baseball and he knows just about everything there is to know about his favorite sport. So when he's told he can't play baseball following an operation on his heart, Jeremiah decides he'll do the next best thing and become a coach.Hillcrest, where Jeremiah and his father Walt have just moved, is a town known for its championship baseball team. But Jeremiah finds the town caught up in a scandal and about ready to give up on baseball. It's up to Jeremiah and his can-do spirit to get the town - and the team - back in the game.Full of humor, heart, and baseball lore, Soar is Joan Bauer at her best.
Tangerine
By Bloor, Edward
Paul Fisher sees the world from behind glasses so thick he looks like a bug-eyed alien. But he’s not so blind that he can’t see there are some very unusual things about his family’s new home in Tangerine County, Florida. Where else does a sinkhole swallow the local school, fire burn underground for years, and lightning strike at the same time every day? The chaos is compounded by constant harassment from his football–star brother, and adjusting to life in Tangerine isn’t easy for Paul—until he joins the soccer team at his middle school. With the help of his new teammates, Paul begins to discover what lies beneath the surface of his strange new hometown. And he also gains the courage to face up to some secrets his family has been keeping from him for far too long.
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies
By Cochrane, Mick
For an eighth grader, Molly Williams has more than her fair share of problems. Her father has just died in a car accident, and her mother has become a withdrawn, quiet version of herself.Molly doesn't want to be seen as "Miss Difficulty Overcome"; she wants to make herself known to the kids at school for something other than her father's death. So she decides to join the baseball team. The boys' baseball team. Her father taught her how to throw a knuckleball, and Molly hopes it's enough to impress her coaches as well as her new teammates.Over the course of one baseball season, Molly must figure out how to redefine her relationships to things she loves, loved, and might love: her mother; her brilliant best friend, Celia; her father; her enigmatic and artistic teammate, Lonnie; and of course, baseball.
Leverage
By Cohen, Joshua C.
A Top Ten Best Fiction Book for Young Adults as Selected by the American Library Association The football field is a battlefield Theres an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High It is paid on-and off-the football field And it claims its victims without mercy-including the most innocent bystanders When a violent steroid-infused ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a schools salvation Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty flawed justice and hard-won optimism of two young athletes
Gutless
By Deuker, Carl
With good speed and good hands, wide receiver Brock Ripley should be a natural for the varsity team, but he shies away from physical contact. He also avoids provoking the star quarterback, Hunter Gates, well known for his bullying tactics. Hunter struggles on the field, causing him to act even more like the bully he is, lashing out at not only Brock but also Brock's friend, the quiet and smart Richie Fang. Brock wants to stand up for Fang, but he is younger, smaller, and doesn't want to cause problems. But when the bullying goes too far, will Brock be able to face his fears and prove to himself that he is brave enough?
Payback Time
By Deuker, Carl
Overweight, somewhat timid Mitch reluctantly agrees to be the sports reporter for the Lincoln High newspaper because he is determined to be a writer, but he senses a real story in Angel, a talented football player who refuses to stand out on the field--or to discuss his past.
Last Shot
By Feinstein, John
Steven Thomas is one of two lucky winners of the U.S. Basketball Writer’s Association’s contest for aspiring journalists. His prize? A trip to New Orleans and a coveted press pass for the Final Four. It’s a basketball junkie’s dream come true!But the games going on behind the scenes between the coaches, the players, the media, the money-men, and the fans turn out to be even more fiercely competitive than those on the court. Steven and his fellow winner, Susan Carol Anderson, are nosing around the Superdome and overhear what sounds like a threat to throw the championship game. Now they have just 48 hours to figure out who is blackmailing one of MSU’s star players . . . and why.Praise for John Feinstein:“The best writer of sports books in America today. SEQUELS: Vanishing Act: Mystery at the U.S. Open (2006), Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl (2007), Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series (2009), The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game (2010), Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympic Games (2012).
Foul Trouble
By Feinstein, John
Bestselling sportswriter John Feinstein exposes the big money and back-room deals that pervade college-basketball recruiting in this fast-break young adult novel. Terrell Jamerson is the #1 high school basketball player in the country. His team is poised to win State, top colleges are lining up to give him scholarships, and everyone says he could play in the NBA tomorrow. But it only takes one false step to lose everything. Danny Wilcox is Terrell's best friend and teammate, and a top prospect himself, but these days it seems like everyone wants to get close to Terrell: the sneaker guys, the money managers, the college boosters. They show up offering fast cars, hot girls, and cold, hard cash. They say they just want to help, but their kind of help could get Terrell disqualified. Danny and Terrell better keep their eyes on the ball if they hope to last the season. John Feinstein has been praised as "the best writer of sports books in America today" (The Boston Globe) , and he proves it again in this fast-paced novel. "Thorough and suspenseful; a must-read for those interested in basketball and the dealings surrounding the sport." - Kirkus Reviews, StarredFrom the Hardcover edition.
Stick
By Harmon, Michael
"Stick" is the best wide receiver in the history of his high school - the football seems magnetically drawn to his hands, hence his nickname. Preston is an outcast, and his pipsqueak stature and nerdy social status couldn't be further from a star athlete's. Stick puts on his football costume every week to make others - his teammates, his dad, everyone but himself - happy, but he's fallen out of love with the sport and feels that he's lost control of his future. Preston puts on his homemade superhero costume every night to help others, too: to avenge his father's murder, he's determined to right the wrongs he sees in his neighborhood and regain control of the flawed world he sees around him. A twist of fate brings this unlikely pair together in a friendship that is as odd as it is true.
The Football Girl
By Heldring, Thatcher
For every athlete or sports fanatic who knows she's just as good as the guys. This is for fans of The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, Grace, Gold, and Glory by Gabrielle Douglass and Breakaway: Beyond the Goal by Alex Morgan. The summer before Caleb and Tessa enter high school, friendship has blossomed into a relationship . . . and their playful sports days are coming to an end. Caleb is getting ready to try out for the football team, and Tessa is training for cross-country. But all their structured plans derail in the final flag game when they lose. Tessa doesn't want to end her career as a loser. She really enjoys playing, and if she's being honest, she likes it even more than running cross-country. So what if she decided to play football instead? What would happen between her and Caleb? Or between her two best friends, who are counting on her to try out for cross-country with them? And will her parents be upset that she's decided to take her hobby to the next level? This summer Caleb and Tessa figure out just what it means to be a boyfriend, girlfriend, teammate, best friend, and someone worth cheering for.
Safe at Second
By Johnson, Scott
Paulie Lockwood's best friend Todd Bannister is destined for the major leagues until a line drive to the head causes him to lose an eye and they both must find a new future for themselves.
The Flip Side
By Johnson, Shawn
From gold medalist and reality TV star Shawn Johnson comes a debut YA novel inspired by her own experiences as an elite teenage gymnast just in time for the Summer 2016 Olympic games. Charlie Ryland has a secret. She may "seem" like your average high school sophomore but she s just really good at pretending. Because outside of school Charlie spends all her waking hours training to become one of the best gymnasts in the world. And it s not easy flying under the radar when you re aiming for Olympic gold especially when an irresistible guy comes along and threatens to throw your whole world off balance. Inspired by her own experiences as a fifteen-year-old Olympic gymnast, gold medalist Shawn Johnson writes a delightfully entertaining novel about chasing big dreams and falling in love, all while trying to keep it real. "
Heat
By Lupica, Mike
The 1 Bestseller!Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat along with aspirations of leading his team all the way to the Little League World Series. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the familys escape from Cuba, Michaels only family is his seventeen-yearold brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care systemor worse, sent back to Cuba. Together, the boys carry on alone, dodging bills and anyone who asks too many questions. But then someone wonders how a twelve-year-old boy could possibly throw with as much power as Michael Arroyo throws. With no way to prove his age, no birth certificate, and no parent to fight for his cause, Michaels secret world is blown wide open, and he discovers that family can come from the most unexpected sources.
The Only Game
By Lupica, Mike
Can a young baseball star maintain his love of the game after the loss of his brother? Find out in this start to the Home Team series about a small town with high hopes, from New York Times bestselling author and sportswriting legend Mike Lupica.Jack Callahan is the star of his baseball team and sixth grade is supposed to be his year. Undefeated season. Records shattered. Little League World Series. The works. That is, until he up and quits. Jack's best friend Gus can't understand how Jack could leave a game that means more to them than anything else. But Jack is done. It's a year of change. Jack's brother has passed away, and though his family and friends and the whole town of Walton thinks baseball is just the thing he needs to move on, Jack feels it's anything but. In comes Cassie Bennett, star softball player, and the only person who seems to think Jack shouldn't play if he doesn't want to. As Jack and Cassie's friendship deepens, their circle expands to include Teddy, a guy who's been picked on because of his weight. Time spent with these new friends unlocks something within Jack, and with their help and the support of his family and his old friends, Jack discovers sometimes it's more than just the love of the game that keeps us moving - and he might just be able to find his way back to The Only Game.
Goldfish
By Luurtsema, Nat
I am Lou Brown:Social outcast, precocious failure, 5'10" and still growing. I was on the fast track to the Olympic superstardom. Now, I'm training boys too cool to talk to me. In a sport I just made up. In a fish tank.My life has quickly become very weird. Nat Luurtsema's YA debut is side-splittingly funny and painfully true to anyone who's just trying to figure out how they fit into the world.
Hit Count
By Lynch, Chris
"I hit him so hard, the clash of helmets and pads sounded like a gunshot across the field. I crushed him with the hit, held on to him and crushed him again when I slammed him into the ground . . . I had arrived." Arlo Brodie loves being at the heart of the action on the football field, getting hit hard and hitting back harder. Arlos dad cheers him on, but his mother quotes head injury statistics and refuses to watch games. Arlos girlfriend tries to make him see how dangerously hes playing; when that doesnt work, she calls time out on their relationship.Even Arlos coaches begin to track his hit count, ready to pull him off the field when he nears the limit. But for Arlo the winning plays, the cheering crowds, and the adrenaline rush are enough to convince him that everything is OK--in spite of the pain, the pounding, the dizziness, and the confusion. "Powerful." - The New York Times Book Review "Sharp." - Sports Illustrated "Heart-pounding." - Washington Independent Review of Books "A powerful provocative look at the dark side of popular sports and their potential cost." - Publishers Weekly "This unflinching examination of the price of athletic power with plenty of bone-crunching play-by-play action, is both thought-provoking and formidable." - The Horn Book Magazine A BOOKLIST 2015 Top Ten Sports Books for Youth A Junior Library Guild Selection
Game Change
By Monninger, Joseph
Seventeen-year-old Zeb Holloway is happy to work in his uncle's auto repair shop and cruise through school without much effort. He's a quarterback on his high school's undefeated football team, but he never plays. Why would he when T.T. Munroe - a walking, talking highlight real - is around? That is, until T.T's injured a week before the state championships. Now Zeb is starting. As he assumes the role of QB and team leader, the entire town is watching him. And when a college recruiter says Zeb could have a future beyond his small New Hampshire town, he realizes there's a bigger life out there for him . . . if he can play his heart out.
Ball Don't Lie
By Pena, Matt De La
Sticky is a beat-around-the-head foster kid with nowhere to call home but the street, and an outer shell so tough that no one will take him in. He started out life so far behind the pack that the finish line seems nearly unreachable. He’s a white boy living and playing in a world where he doesn’t seem to belong. But Sticky can ball. And basketball might just be his ticket out . . . if he can only realize that he doesn’t have to be the person everyone else expects him to be. Matt de la Peña's breakout urban masterpiece, Ball Don’t Lie takes place where the street and the court meet and where a boy can be anything if he puts his mind to it.AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTSAN ALA QUICK PICK FOR RELUCTANT READERS[STAR] "[An] inspiring story.
If You're Reading This
By Reedy, Trent
From the author of WORDS IN THE DUST and DIVIDED WE FALL: A heartwarming book about a son reconnecting with the father he lost in Afghanistan.Mike was seven when his father was killed in mysterious circumstances in Afghanistan. Eight years later, the family still hasn't recovered: Mike's mom is overworked and overprotective; his younger sister Mary feels no connection to the father she barely remembers; and in his quest to be "the man of the family," Mike knows he's missing out on everyday high school life.Then, out of the blue, Mike receives a letter from his father -- the first of a series Dad wrote in Afghanistan, just in case he didn't come home, meant to share some wisdom with his son on the eve of Mike's 16th birthday. As the letters come in, Mike revels in spending time with his dad again, and takes his encouragement to try new things -- to go out for the football team, and ask out the beautiful Isma.
Always a Catch
By Richmond, Peter
A ripped-from-the-headlines story about teens and steroids.From a New York Times bestselling sports writer comes the story of one boy's quest to stay true to himself without letting down his team. Jack and his father have never seen eye to eye ... until Jack's dad gives him the chance to transfer to Oakhurst his junior year. His dad sees it as a way for Jack to get into a good college; Jack sees it as refuge from his dad. Oakhurst is more than an escape - it's a chance for Jack to do something new, to try out for the football team. Once Jack makes the team, he's thrust into a foreign world - one of intense hazing, vitamin supplements, monkey hormones and steroids. Jack has to decide how far he's willing to go to fit in - and how much he's willing to compromise himself to be the man his team wants him to be.Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.Praise for ALWAYS A CATCH:"Richmond has written an above-average story that will appeal to fans of the genre and authors, such as Mike Lupica and Tim Green."--School Library Journal "A dynamic but thoughtful novel of self-discovery."--Kirkus Reviews "Richmond skillfully delivers scene after scene of gridiron grit while maintaining Jack's wit and charm, and pulling off a winning story, on and off the field. Readers can only hope that this isn't Richmond's last young adult novel."--Publishers Weekly "This is a quick and easy read that leaves the reader with hope for Jack's future."--Library Media Connection
Under The Baseball Moon
By Ritter, John H
Andy Ramos, a free-style skateboarding trumpeter, has dreams as big as a baseball moon. Born into a family of musicians, Andy wants to take his unique fusion of Latin jazz, rock, and hip-hop straight to the top. But when he crosses paths with Glory Martinez, a softball pitcher who
Winger
By Smith, Andrew
A teen at boarding school grapples with life, love, and rugby in a heartbreakingly funny novel.Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids. He's living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he's madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy. With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life's complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what's important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart. Filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen's experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.
There's a Girl in My Hammerlock
By Spinelli, Jerry
Eighth-grader Maisie endures the skepticism of the coach and the ridicule of the kids in school to join the wrestling team and be near Eric Delong, her true love. Reprint.
Game Seven
By Volponi, Paul
A fastball of a book by Paul Volponi - an author who knows sports and suspense! Julio Ramirez Jr. lives in the shadow of his famous father. Not just because Julio Senior is a pitcher for the Miami Marlins and famous for his scorching fastball, but because he defected from Cuba, leaving Julio and his sister and mother branded as the family of a traitor. Now sixteen, Julio has dreams of playing shortstop for Cubas national team--until hes given the opportunity to sail to the U.S. Can he abandon his family, just like his Papi did? Is freedom worth the perilous journey and risking prison if hes caught? Will his Papi be waiting for him on the other shore - or, with the Marlins in the World Series against the Yankees, has Julio Senior forgotten all about his son? "An entertaining tale of baseball, family and loyalty." - Kirkus Reviews "Volponi once again delivers top-notch sports fare coupled with a deeper story of family and fidelity. . . Readers will identify with Julio as he juggles dreams, bitterness, and family loyalties in this lyrical, spare novel." - BOOKLIST "A poignant story. . . this is a must-read for any teen who not only loves stories about sports but also enjoys reading about families." - VOYA Read more Continue reading Read less REVIEW Praise for Game Seven: "An entertaining tale of baseball, family and loyalty." - Kirkus Reviews "Volponi once again delivers top-notch sports fare coupled with a deeper story of family and fidelity. . . Readers will identify with Julio as he juggles dreams, bitterness, and family loyalties in this lyrical, spare novel." - Booklist "A poignant story. . . this is a must-read for any teen who not only loves stories about sports but also enjoys reading about families." - VOYA Praise for The Final Four by Paul Volponi: "A triple-overtime game keeps readers on the edge of their seats." - BCCB, starred review "This gritty, realistic, and riveting novel deserves the wide audience it will no doubt attract." - School Library Journal, starred review "Volponi nails it when it counts in this dynamic story." - Booklist, starred review "Volponi, a multiple award-winning author, keeps the tension high from the first to last page ... The Final Four is definitely a winner." - VOYA, starred review "Volponis latest combines in-the-moment action, basketball history and the points of view of four college ballplayers with very different lives ... No story or character is simple." - Kirkus Reviews "The Final Four does a terrific job of capturing the emotion of March Madness." - Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Mens Basketball, Duke University "This is a great story about how one sport can transcend different experiences, backgrounds, and beliefs, and unite in a desire to succeed." - Jim Calhoun, Head Coach, Mens Basketball, University of Connecticut (2010 National Champions) "It was inspirational to a coach and full of lessons to children of many ages." - Jamie Dixon, Head Coach, Mens Basketball, University of Pittsburgh "A rocket ride of a plot that rips you into the story from the first line." - Paul Griffin, author of Stay With Me "Paul Volponi delivers a high-octane basketball story fans will cheer for." - Tim Green, author of Deep Zone, a Football Genius novel ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul Volponi (www.paulvolponibooks.com) is a writer, journalist, and teacher. He has taught incarcerated teens to write on Rikers Island and he taught adolescents in a drug-treatment program in New York City. EXCERPT. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. From his chair, Uncle Ramon kicked his shoes off and dug his feet deep into the sand. "Your papi was able to get a sum of money into Cuba through a Canadian turista," he said, as the smell of swordfish filtered through the salty air. "That money was given to Gabriel." I was pissed. My family had struggled for every peso, just to meet the bills. No wonder Gabriel could afford steaks like these. "Why?" I demanded. "How come our money went to him?" "So Gabriel can get us out of Cuba," Uncle Ramon replied, before popping the top on a can of soda with a tsssp. Those words seemed to hang in the air for a moment - get us out of Cuba. I only felt the weight of them when Luis grabbed hold of my arm and gasped, "Holy crap." My heart began beating harder and harder inside my chest, and I had to actually think about taking my next breath. "And thats his payment?" I asked, hoping to steady myself. "Payment?" repeated Gabriel, turning the steaks on the grill with a long metal fork. "No. Theres nothing for me. That money covered the entire cost of building - " "Look! Down the beach!" interrupted Luis. "Police!" There were two officers on a motorcycle with a sidecar. It had three wide wheels, meant to power its way over the sandy shore. They were slowly making their way from the far end of the beach toward where wed camped. "Just act naturally. Remember the truth: youre baseball players from Matanzas celebrating a victory over Puerto Padre. Nothing more," instructed Gabriel. "Besides, I know these two, what theyre all about." "You know them?" asked Luis. "I make it my business to," answered Gabriel, through the smoke from the barbecue. The policemen rolled past the families and kids without any interest. But they took a long glance at the two girls reading on their blankets. They seemed about to pass us, too, before Gabriel called out to them, "Officers! A moment, please!" I shot Uncle Ramon a concerned look, already feeling the sweat on my palms. "Ive learned to trust him," Uncle Ramon said quietly, barely moving his lips. "Theres no other way." Gabriel took one of the st
Next
By Waltman, Kevin
In Indiana, basketball is the next thing to religion. Especially for inner-city black kids like Derrick Bowen. He's a 6'3" freshman, lightning quick, and he can slam the rock. He wants to start at point guard for Marion High, but senior Nick Starks has that nailed down. Besides, the coach is old school. He thinks D-Bow needs to work on his game, his shot, and his attitude. That means bench time. And that's when Hamilton Academy, the elite school in the suburbs, comes sniffing around. They want D-Bow for the next three years. His mom wants no part of that. But his father needs a job, and Uncle Kid, who is a bitter ex-star at Marion High, has his own plans. Yeah, there's a pretty girl and a best friend in the mix. Plus plenty of basketball action and suspense just like high school boys like to read. SEQUEL: Slump (2014).
A Season of Daring Greatly
By White, Ellen Emerson
Eighteen-year-old Jill Cafferty just made history. Her high school's star pitcher, she is now the first woman drafted by a major league baseball team. Only days after her high school graduation, she'll join the Pittsburgh Pirates' Class A Short Season team . . . but not everyone is happy to have her there. On top of the pressure heaped on every pitcher, Jill must deal with defying conventions and living up to impossible expectations, all while living away from home for the first time. She'll go head-to-head against those who are determined to keep baseball an all-male sport. Despite the reassurance of coaches and managers alike, a few of her teammates are giving her trouble. The media presence following her at each game is inescapable. And to top it all off, Jill is struggling with the responsibilities of being a national hero and a role model for young women everywhere. How can she be a role model when she's not even sure she made the right choice for herself? Didn't baseball used to be fun?This literary and engrossing story of a young woman trying to mark out a place for herself in a male-dominated world will captivate fans of Friday Night Lights, The Art of Fielding, John Corey Whaley, and Laurie Halse Anderson.