sports fiction

"Playing soccer is the only time Feng is in control. On the field, he can forget the rest of the world. When an injury puts Feng on the sidelines, he is forced to face the problems in his life head-on. Will he realize that he doesn't have to do it all alone?"--Provided by publisher.

"Derek is about to turn 13, and as the school year comes to an end and summer baseball season is about to begin, Derek knows that if he does his best both on and off the field, the future will look bright next year in 8th grade, and it'll be a grand slam!"--Provided by publisher.

"Ten-year-old Lukas and his brother Denys want nothing more than to play hockey, but it's 1963, and they live in Czechoslovakia, where the secret police (the 'Eye') are constantly on the lookout for anyone committing crimes against the state--whether that be reading a magazine about the NHL or saying anything negative about the Communist regime. Lukas's father works for a newspaper, and printing the truth is a dangerous activity. The family is poor, but hockey is the one bright light for the boys. They learn to skate on a bumpy outdoor rink in a city park. And when their talent is noticed, they are encouraged to try out for a local youth league, where they are thrilled to play in a real arena for the first time. Then the boys' father is arrested. No one knows where he has been taken or when he might be coming home. Lukas and Denys soon realize they are being watched, too, and when the secret police promise them information about their father if they help throw a game against a visiting Soviet team, Lukas must make some difficult decisions that may endanger his family and his friends, as he faces some tough questions about what loyalty really means"--Provided by publisher.

Maya has trouble controlling her temper on the softball field, but when she posts some nasty comments on their last opponent, she gets the whole team in trouble--and has to find a way to make up for her mistake, and convince her teammates to help her.

Eighth-grader Jared Shotpouch loves lacrosse, but at his new school he is being teased with taunts of "get back to the reservation", and some of the worst bullies are his own teammates.

Eighth-grade Audrey hopes to ease the pain of moving by joining the school football team, but faces the challenge of proving her skills and gaining acceptance from teammates, all while uncovering the reasons behind their hostility toward her new friend, star receiver Ryan.

"Twelve-year-old Alex loves playing soccer, and she's good at it, too. Very good. When her skills land her a free ride to play for Select, an elite soccer club, it feels like a huge opportunity. Joining Select could be the key to a college scholarship and a bright future--one that Alex's family can't promise her. But as the team gets better and better, her new coach pushes the players harder and harder, until soccer starts to feel more like punishment than fun. And then there comes a point where enough is enough, and Alex and her teammates must take a stand to find a better way to make their soccer dreams come true"--Provided by publisher.

Annabella Donatello loves softball and performing so she is thrilled when she gets cast in the school play, on top of being pitcher of her softball team, but when practice conflicts with opening night of the show she hatches a plan putting her softball and acting skills to the test.

Malcolm loves baseball and science, but his idea for a homemade glove oil causes a blowup with his team. Now he must find a way to use science and statistics to create a new type of pitch to help his team and earn back their trust.

Upset over her parents' divorce and her subsequent move to Minnesota, Maisie joins a curling team and begins to have a change of heart. Includes a glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts.