Sports stories

"The samll town of Westlock measures itself in balls and strikes. Twenty-five years ago, the double-A team was the town's pride and joy, and Mo's dad was the star player. Now Mo and his teammates have a chance to relive the glory. The provlems is that Mo's team isn't very good. In fact, they lose every game they play. As a big tournamentapproaches, the pressure on the team mount's It's up to Mo and his teammates to convince the town that winning isn't everything and to let them play the game their own way"--Back cover.

"Fourteen-year-old Jordan lives for basketball. Wyatt calls her Jordan the Jock. The players on her team want their new uniforms to be short, tight and sexy, rather than being functional. Her best friend is more concerned with how she looks. Jordan thinks she found an ally in Amin, who plays basketball and clearly admires his older sister, who plays at the college level. But when Amin doesn't stand up for her against Wyatt, she feels more alone than ever and wonders if she should give up the game. But then she meets Amin's sister, who shows her that there is no shame in being a girl and a strong athlete"--Provided by publisher.

"Jo loves playing basketball in gym class, and she is surprised when she makes the school team. Because she has to babysit her younger brother, she's afraid her mom will make her give up her place on the team, so instead, Jo hatches a plan to have a neighbor secretly babysit so she can play. But the deception and secrets start getting to her after a few close calls. While Jo shows initiative and problem-solving skills both on and off the court, will her mom see it that way when she's found out?"--Provided by publisher.

Highlighting girls' volleyball, a sport that has overtaken girls' basketball in popularity, Volleyball Vibe shows how engagement in sports can boost self-esteem, confidence and foster responsibility and teamwork. The main character, Ria, is a teen girl whose obsession with beauty and fashion leads her mother to insist that she either get a job or join a team sport. At an age when too many girls stop competing athletically, Ria discovers her own capabilities as well as the rewards of challenging herself and connecting with others on a team.

With characters who display diversity in ethnicity and leadership style, this book focuses on empowering girls to work together and develop leadership qualities. Readers will instantly recognize the struggle of dealing with someone they don't get along with as main character Emika struggles to connect with her co-captain on the soccer team named Maram. Rather than portraying others as inherently difficult and avoidable, Head to Head instead illuminates healthy relationships and teamwork, particularly for young girls.

"As captain of his school track and field team, Jonas runs only to win. His specialty is the 100-metre sprint. When the team's first track meet does not go as he hoped, Jonas turns his anger on his teammates. He ends up in the office, where the principal also notices that Jonas has failed to complete his required volunteer work. She kicks him off the team and strips him of his captaincy, but later makes him a deal: Jonas can compete at the final track meet if he finishes his volunteer hours. To do so, he must train Darien, a vision and mobility impaired teen, for a 5k race. Through working with Darien, Jonas gains a new appreciation for his sport and for what it means to be a true winner"--Amazon.com.

Growing up with a developmental condition that left her clumsy in both movement and speech, Jazz was teased and never had the chance to play team sports. Now rid of her symptoms, Jazz is ready to play basketball at her junior high, but the reappearance of an old bully makes her question herself and tempts her to let down the team that is counting on her. Last Pick emphasizes teamwork and countering bullying with fairness and forgiveness and how determination can help overcome obstacles.

"For thirteen-year-old David Timko, making the Bantam A hockey team is everything. So when he doesn't make the cut and is forced to play house league, his bad attitude soon gets him benched. Even worse, his new friend at school, Omar, shows a complete lack of understanding of David's problem. Omar, on the other hand, has problems of his own. A recent Syrian refugee, he's angry that his parents can't find good jobs in his new country or provide for him the way they used to. And he's desperately missing his older brother, who was left behind in Syria. As both boys become more frustrated with their own problems, their friendship begins to suffer. David wonders why Omar can't see how important hockey is to him, while Omar thinks David is acting spoiled. Can the two boys come to an understanding of each other's problems before their friendship comes to blows?"--Publisher provided.

Highlighting rugby, the fastest growing sport in America, this book tackles the issue of girls playing full-contact sports. Maddy and her friends are a small town group determined to form a girls' junior rugby team while they navigate learning both the rules of the game and the rules set out by the school board. The adults are concerned about the girls' safety and even Maddy worries that she is too small for the rough game. But the persistence of the diverse group of girls wins the day and the book becomes a celebration of the empowerment and self-esteem young girls get from participating in sports.

"Sam's grandfather, Pop, has always taught Sam that the most important thing about rugby is your teammates. So when Sam's school closes and he's moved to a school across town, his rugby rivals suddenly become the team he has to depend on. While Sam tries to adapt to a new school and teams where he feels out of place, he also has to deal with Pop's growing dementia. The one thing Sam wishes for the most is to bring the Cup home to Pop one last time while Pop can still remember it. But to do so, San will have to find a way to fit in with his new team"--Back cover.