sports fiction

Twelve-year-old Nick loves soccer and hates books, but soon learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams.

"Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother, and a David Beckham in training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of isolation and bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio. At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boy's soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans--he's passing. So when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him after he discovers the 'F' on Spencer's birth certificate, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even though it would mean coming out to everyone--including the guy he's falling for"--Provided by publisher.

"A new coach's flagrant racism, a teammate's endless sabotage, and local media interest make it difficult for Andi Carillo and Jeff Michaels to keep both of their basketball teams on track"--OCLC.

"When formerly medically fragile Levi discovers his love for boxing, he finds himself in the ring with those who love him most. He knows he's strong enough to fight for his life but can he convince everyone else to believe in him, too?"--Provided by publisher.

When Mo and his dad join in a volleyball game at the beach and the score is tied, it is up to Mo, the smallest boy on the team, to secure the game-winning point.

"After a disastrous field day competition at school, Greg decides that when it comes to his athletic career, he's officially retired. But after his mom urges him to give sports one more chance, he reluctantly agrees to sign up for basketball. Tryouts are a mess, and Greg is sure he won't make the cut. But he unexpectedly lands a spot on the worst team. As Greg and his new teammates start the season, their chances of winning even a single game look slim. But in sports, anything can happen. When everything is on the line and the ball is in Greg's hands, will he rise to the occasion? Or will he blow his big shot?"--Provided by publisher.

Thirteen-year-old Devante Briggs loves basketball, but now he is just the sixth man off the bench for his school team, putting up with the snide remarks of some of the other players--until an outbreak of food poisoning gives him his chance to show off his skills.

Seventh grader and math wiz Trish plans to play on the baseball team, but fellow math wiz Ben thinks baseball is a torture he would like to avoid--but now the two, who competed against each other in a math tournament, find themselves on the same baseball team. Includes recipes and math facts.

"Carli and Rex have an immediate connection, an understanding that must mean first love, but family secrets, disappointments--and basketball, which holds center stage in both their lives--all create complications"--Provided by publisher.

Feeling bad about last year's Field Day, in which her slow running cost the relay team a victory, Nancy, who enjoys using fancy words, finds herself facing another Field Day and another relay race with a mean classmate.