Levitt, Mike

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.

"Highlighting rugby ... 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"--Provided by publisher.

"Sam's grandfather, Pops, always taught Sam that the most important aspects of rugby are sportsmanship and teamwork. Things are not great at home, but Sam's struggles really begin when his school is shut down and he transfers to Rosedale Heights. He has trouble fitting in with the snobby Rosedale team, especially Bittner, who resents Sam's presence. All seems lost when, set up by Bittner, Sam gets kicked off the team under suspicion of stealing. Can Sam prove his innocence and get back in play for the highly anticipated England game? And can he play the kind of rugby that will make Pops proud? Find out in this gripping high/low middle grade sports story"--From the publisher's web site.