Jake Maddox sports stories

Jacob dreams of playing real soccer and scoring goals, but his team only has four players, so when they are challenged by a bullying street team, they have to use teamwork and strategy to win and convince the street players to join their team.

Avani Patel loves to skateboard, but there is no skate park in her town so she does not get to practice tricks often. Now that the idea is under consideration in the city council to build a skate park in her town, Avani and her friends set out to convince the skeptical politicians the town really needs one.

Twelve-year-old Calvin is the small but speedy left wing for his hockey team, but when he takes a really hard bodycheck during first game of a tournament he starts to freeze up on the ice and worry he will be benched.

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.

"When Robinson learns about wheelchair rugby during Super Sports Saturday, he can't wait to try it. But then his family moves to Alabama to help take care of his grandma after she gets hurt. But Robinson's in luck--his dad tells him about an organization called the Shore that has a wheelchair rugby team. Robinson's in for quite a rush as he learns a new sport--and some important lessons about life"--Back cover.

Twelve-year-old Calvin is the small but speedy left wing for his hockey team, but when he takes a really hard bodycheck during the first game of a tournament he starts to freeze up on the ice and worry he will be benched.

Since Nina's middle school in her new home in tiny Janesville, Illinois, does not have a girls basketball team, she tries out for the boys team and makes the roster--but the hostility of one the players threatens to disrupt the whole team.

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.