Posts Tagged ‘sports fiction’
Trevor and Sam may look just alike, but they live in very different worlds. Trevor was born into Hollywood “royalty.” His dad is a powerful producer, and his mother is a famous actress. He stars in major motion pictures as well. What else could he want besides the life of luxury that surrounds him? Just the one thing he can’t have–a normal life as a baseball player on a real baseball team. Sam, on the other hand, lives with his dad in a run-down trailer next to the garbage dump. Both of them have dreams of a better life. Sam lives baseball, and has a chance (if his team wins the championship and he earns MVP of the tournament) to make it to the USC Elite Training Center. His dad may be a high school English teacher who loves to quote Shakespeare, but he dreams of making it as a screen writer.
Pinch Hit (Harper 2012) by Tim Green tells the tale of when these two worlds collide. While his dad is pitching a script, Sam gets called to be a body double for Trevor on the set of his new movie. They immediately notice the uncanny resemblance they share and concoct a plan to switch places. Trevor will finally get to play baseball on a real team. In return, he promises to get a green light on the script Sam’s dad has written. It will all work out, won’t it?
Of course not. That’s where the adventure kicks in. Trevor may have spent hours in a batting cage, but he’s never faced a pitcher with a curve ball. Sam knows nothing about acting. Trevor wants to take on bully Klum off the field. Sam wants to use his new power to track down his (and Trevor’s?) birth mother. Frantic text messages and coaching from actress McKenna might get them through the rough spots. Or will it all come crashing down?
I enjoyed the humor and the action in this modern take on The Prince and the Pauper. Chapters alternate between Sam and Trevor, so you get to see what happens to both boys. Sam is completely lost in the world of the rich and the powerful, but soon comes to appreciate all it offers. Trevor handles the stench of the garbage dump pretty well and relishes the chance to see how his baseball stacks up in real competition. Even better, I won this copy (it’s even signed!) from a GoodReads discussion with Tim Green. I can’t wait to hear what other readers–and Tim Green himself–have to say about this book.
Who wants to read it first?
Stevie and Susan Carol are at it again. This time their nose for news is about to uncover a scandal at the Army-Navy football game. If you haven’t met them before, Stevie and Susan Carol are teen sports reporters. Since winning a writing contest as 8th graders, they have been working with two seasoned reporters, Bobby Kelleher and Tamara Mearns, ever since. They have covered some of the biggest events in sports (the Super Bowl, the Final Four) and uncovered some of the biggest scandals. Now they are back again in The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game (Yearling 2010).
This time around, Stevie and Susan Carol split up (not their relationship, just news coverage) to report on the traditions and competition with “America’s Game,” the annual football game between Army and Navy. Stevie heads to West Point while Susan Carol travels to Annapolis. The trouble begins when Susan Carol expresses her frustration with the lousy officiating at the Navy-Notre Dame game. The same officials are scheduled to work the Army-Navy game, too. Is it just bad calls, or is something more sinister going on? In addition to interviewing players and coaches, they also get to know the Secret Service since the President traditionally performs the coin toss to start the game. When it comes to the President, the Secret Service doesn’t mess around.
It is probably a bit atypical for two teens to uncover so much trouble. I certainly hope there aren’t scandals underlying every major sporting event like Stevie and Susan Carol find. Even so, I enjoy each of John Feinstein’s stories involving these two teen reporters. I love the behind-the-scenes looks at the big events, especially the long-standing traditions with the Army-Navy game. I love how hard Stevie and Susan Carol work to uncover the truth and back it up before printing. They know the power of words and don’t take it lightly.
I love teaching middle school. Every day my students surprise and amaze me with something new and unexpected. These three books surprise me with the unexpected, too, as they chronicle the lives of middle school characters. I think you will find characters and situations that would feel right at home in our school, too.
Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes (Scholastic 2011)
I enjoyed this glimpse into Joylin’s life as she navigates the changes that middle school brings. Joylin loves basketball. She could watch and play all day long with the guys, but now things are changing whether she wants them to or not. Her body has a mind of its own as it grows overnight. All of a sudden, she can’t keep the boys out of her mind. She’s even giggling when a certain Santiago comes around. She just might try out some make up and a skirt, too. Things are even changing with her two best friends, KeeLee and Jake. At home she just wishes her dad could see her brother Caleb’s artistic talent over her athletic interests. Through it all, Joylin must learn how to stay true to herself. Nikki Grimes’ poetry capture those moments that define and change Joylin.
The Cruisers by Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic 2010)
Zander and his friends Kambui, LaShonda and Bobbie have a problem. Even though they are students at the school for gifted and talented kids, they are not living up to their potential. The assistant principal is ready to throw them out unless they can come up with a plan–and fast. Their last chance is to broker a peace between the students who have been assigned the role of Union sympathizers and Confederate sympathizers in a school-wide Civil War project. Zander hopes they can pull it off with the power of words using their alternative newspaper, The Cruiser. Before it is over, they have all learned a lesson about the power of the pen–that words can bring peace or be used as weapons. While some of his friends are ready to fight, Zander wants to “find the win in it.” What’s the point of fighting if the only thing you change is to get yourself kicked out of school? One of my favorite parts is how Zander figures out how to fight back (with words) and keep the win. Along they way, they learn that everyone has to be willing to own their words and actions. Now if I could just get that across in language arts class!
Neil Armstrong is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me by Nan Marino (Scholastic 2009)
Get ready to travel back in time to 1969 with this book. Things are changing slowly Ramble Street as the world gets ready to watch Neil Armstrong take the first step on the moon. For the kids on Ramble Street, nothing comes in the way of a good kickball game–unless it is the lies told by Muscle Man McGinty. Tamara has had enough of his lies and thinks she might finally prove her point when Muscle Man claims he can beat the the other kids on the block all by himself. Somehow, though, things don’t go quite according to Tamara’s plan. Tamara is so wrapped up in proving Muscle Man’s lies, that she can’t see the truth in front of her face. No matter how quiet things are on Ramble Street, issues from the rest of world leak into the carefree days of childhood.
I am plowing my way through the graphic novels that have been piling up on my desk. Some of them I snatched up from the bargain books at our last book fair. Some of them have been gifts from students who are helping me beef up my collection.
Arana: The Heart of the Spider by Fiona Avery (Scholastic 2005)
I think superhero fans will like this graphic novel. Anya is a reluctant recruit to the secretive spider society. Miguel believes that she is the chosen one, to be the next hunter. When he saves her life from an attack by the Wasps, she is bound for life. All she wants is to be a normal high school student. Will she come to terms with and claim her destiny before it’s too late? The color illustrations in this one seem to explode off the page. I really need to slow down and look more at the pictures when I read a graphic novel.
The Lightning Thief (Rick Riordan) Graphic Novel adapted by Robert Venditti (Hyperion Books 2010)
I loved the original Percy Jackson series, so I wasn’t sure what I would think of a graphic novel adaptation. I was pleasantly surprised. The color illustrations bring the story into vivid pictures. The dialogue captured the fast-paced adventure of Percy’s first quest with Anabeth and Grover. I wouldn’t want to replace the original completely, but this adaptation stands nicely alongside. It’s much more faithful to the heart of the story than the movie was.
Mystic: Rite of Passage by Ron Marz (CrossGen Comics 2003):
I enjoyed the story in this graphic novel, first published in a series of comic books. Two sisters–one responsible and one not–find their lives turned upside down. Just as the responsible Genevieve is about to be accepted as Guild Master of one of the magic guilds on Ciress, the rite goes horrible wrong. Party girl Giselle finds that she is now host to all seven of the magic guild spirits. Whether she likes it or not, she is now the most powerful magician on the planet. It’s too bad she hasn’t prepared for it at all. With a talking squit (looks like a shaggy puppy) as her only ally, will Giselle survive the magic that now possesses her and those angry magicians who want it back? For once, the artwork caught my eye as much as the words. These color illustrations burst off the page. I just might be getting the hang of these graphic novels.
The Path: Crisis of Faith by Ron Marz (CrossGen Comics 2003)
This graphic novel is much darker than the above one by the same writer. Set it the land of the samauri warriors, it involves war, betrayal, and the loss of faith. Todosi dedicated his life to the arts of war while his brother Obo San dedicated his life to serving the gods. After the gods take Todosi’s life, Obo San vows to use their own weapon against them for revenge. But first he must survive the wrath of his emperor and the demons of an invading army. My favorite part of this graphic novel is the interview with the penciler, Bart Sears, in the back. After reading it, I understood much more what he accomplished with the two page spread layout, the dark images, and his penciling technique.
Rebound by Yuriko Nishiyama (Tokyo Pop 1997)
I successfully finished my first manga novel. I am surprised that it is a basketball story! Who knew that manga included sports fiction? Not me until today. Nate Torres and his high school basketball team, Johnan, won the Tokyo championship. Now they are on their way to Sapporo to play again in the National Championships. They hope to avoid a repeat of last year’s first round loss, but this year they have to get past Kyan Marine Industry–a team full of tough players who don’t mind playing rough. Oh yeah, there might even be a few girls to provide a distraction. I thought this was a fun story once I got the hang of reading from right to left. It might even bring in new fans (of sports stories) to graphic novels.
Harlequin Pink: Idol Dreams written by Charlotte Lamb & art by Yoko Hanabusa (Dark Horse Manga 2006)
I’m starting to get the hang of reading from right to left–and to the variety of topics and genres available through manga. This is a love story that will please readers looking for something light and fluffy. Quincy wins a contest she didn’t eve enter (thanks to her little brother Bobby) for a date with pop idol Joe Ardness. Now she is caught up in a weekend of celebrity with her heart torn between Joe (Is he just using her for the publicity) and Brendan (Can her heart still be satisfied with her dad’s partner in their veterinarian practice?) There’s lots of swooning and flashing cameras in this story even if there’s not much else. It’s even printed in pink ink!
Felton Reinstein is turning sixteen this summer, and his life is turning upside down ever since he started growing and growing and growing. Now he’s not just tall (and constantly hungry), but he is also fast–stupid fast. The track and football coaches want him bad. All those jocks who used to bully him now want to be his friend. It’s a good thing (or is it) since his best friend Gus is spending the summer in Venezuela with family and his mom is freaking out. Oh yeah, he also might have a girlfriend, Aleah, the beautiful and amazingly talented pianist who is living in Gus’s house for the summer.
Stupid Fast (Sourcebooks Fire 2011) was not what I was expecting (a sports story along the lines of Carl Deuker or Mike Lupica), but I enjoyed it very much. Rather than creating an action packed sports story, Geoff Herbach explores a story of family and friendship and romance and bullies and depression and piano.
I loved Felton. He is awkward and dorky and not sure at all about being a jock. He is an accidental athlete who slowly comes to accept it. Harder to accept is the chaos erupting at his home as his mother dives into a depression bigger than all of them. Felton worries as his little brother burns all his clothes and turns into a pirate. He rejoices as Aleah seems to be as into him as he is to her. When it all gets to be too much, he runs and runs and runs. It is not until he learns to reach out and ask for help that he learns just how strong he is.
Cam O’Mara comes from a long line of bull riders: older brother, father, grandfather. But he took a good look at the bucking bulls and decided he’d rather get his thrills from perfecting his skateboard tricks. Then his older brother Ben comes home from Iraq after running into an improvised explosive device. Ben is missing part of his arm and struggling with traumatic brain injury. Cam is shocked by the changes in the older brother he always looked up to. Now Cam is looking for a way to bring back the brothe he remembered before the war. Could riding a monstrous bull named Ugly for eight seconds to win a $15,000 prize bring hope and a new life for them all?
I was first captivated by Cam’s voice in Bull Rider (Margaret K. McElderry Books 2009). Suzanne Morgan Williams captures the roil of emotions Cam experiences. He loves his brother, but is shocked enough by his injuries to walk out. He thinks getting on the back of a bull is crazy–utnil he is taunted into taking his first ride. Then he realizes that the adrenaline rush can block out all his worries. Then he becomes obsessed with the idea of riding Ugly, a big bull with a big prize for the first rider to stick on him.
Baseball fans will enjoy reading about the Schneider family. For nine generations, their history has been wrapped up with that of baseball. It begins with Felix Schneider, a German immigrant who cheers on the New York Knickerbockers as they play three-0ut, all-out. A tragic accident while fighting fires with Alexander Cartwright (the father of modern baseball) puts an end to some of his dreams, but leads to more. From generation to generation, baseball ties this family together. Louis Schneider takes baseball with him to the battlefields of the Civil War. Arnold Schneider meets one of baseballs first stars, King Kelly as he hopes to gain acceptance from his peers. Walter Schneider/Snider meets Cyclone Joe Williams, the best pitcher of the day, as they both run head-on into prejudice. Frankie has a head for numbers that almost gets her into more trouble that she can handle when she cooks up a scheme with sports writer Joe Kieran. Kat Snider plays with the Grand Rapids Chicks of the All-American Girls Baseball League during World War II. Jimmy Flint has to duc k and cover from both bullies and threatened Soviet bombs, so it’s a good thing he’s the undisputed champion of flipping baseball cards. Michael Flint is desperate for advice from his Grandma Kat when a perfect summer day becomes the opportunity to pitch a perfect game midway through the Little League season. Snider Flint discovers the history contained in a box of baseball memorabilia as he searches for the provenance of Babe Herman’s bat–complete with address and postage stamps.
I’m not much of a baseball fan, but I enjoyed how Alan Gratz wove baseball history into nine interlocking stories in The Brooklyn Nine: A Novel in Nine Innings (Scholastic 2009). Each generation faces a new challenge, but love of baseball ties them all together. The book is divided into nine short sections, basically long short stories. Each story could be read and enjoyed alone. I liked tracing the links between each story as well. Baseball fans will enjoy this one, especially those who appreciate or want to learn more of the sport’s history. Gratz provides notes in the back about the historical figures who appear.
Molly Williams doesn’t mean to shake things up when she goes out for the boys baseball team during eighth grade. She just misses baseball, that she played and watched with her dad before he died in a freak car accident. She may not be the biggest jock, but she does have a secret weapon: She can pitch a knuckleball. Will it be enough to impress her coaches and new teammates?
While not dealing with the guys on the baseball field. Molly is trying to negotiage the relationship with her mother, who has become irritable and withdrawn. Thank goodness her best friend Celia is ready with loyal support and witty remarks. Then there is the new relationship with artistic Lonnie, who becomes her catcher.
Mick Cochrane weaves a story of baseball, loss, and love in The Girl Who Threw Butterflies (A Yearling Book 2009). I learned lots of baseball lore. Did you know that knuckleball pitchers often wear the number 49 in honor of Hoyt Wilhelm, a great knuckleball pitcher who retired at age 49? Did you know knucklball pitchers often have their own personal catcher (with a specially designed mitt) because the pitch is hard to catch as well as hit? Did you know Jackie Mitchell struck out Babe Ruth in an exhibition game before the commissioner of baseball banned her from professional baseball because it was too strenuous for a woman? I didn’t know any of it, but I do now.
There is plenty of baseball play and lore for fans in this book, but there is much more, too. It is a heartwarming story that is at times humorous, touching, and surprising.
What are your favorite baseball stories?
Today’s post comes straight from the middle school library. Miss Bowman* gets you off on just the right note for your summer reading!
Will Halpin is a guy who kind of stands on the edge of school “society.” For the most part, his classmates ignore him and he writes humorous things about them in his notebook. Perhaps that’s just the fate being a “new kid.” However, Will being hefty and deaf probably doesn’t help things. A field trip to a coal mine that ends in murder will shake things up a bit. Follow Will as he tries to solve the murder mystery, beats up a “deaf child area” sign, smuggles dogs, and rereads the online profile of the hottest girl in school:
According to her profile, “Music is the sound track to my life.” This is not that deep of a thought, because what else is going to be the sound track to your life? Shut up, Will. Do not make fun of lovely Leigha Pennington. She has very particular tastes and expresses a particular disdain for emo, which apparently is a type of rock or something? (I’m not a big music aficionado.) Mainly, I just look at her beautiful profile pic…
Should I send her a message? Maybe I could just reach out to her under a fake name. Just so she knows somebody knows. Or maybe – and here’s a wild thought – I could send her a message as…myself?
I decide to write it by hand because there is no “save draft” option on this site. I get out my notebook and start composing…
“You have probably seen me around. I’m the fat deaf guy in the Phillies shirt who people sometimes throw casseroles at.”
Yes, Will is a smooth guy. You can read about him in The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk.
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Adam Canfield is a very busy guy: Swim team, academic team, school newspaper, stirring up trouble in his community…Have you ever heard of a school paper getting a principal fired? Well, Adam’s paper, The Slash, has! Now it’s time to stir the pot some more!
Adam earns spending money by shoveling driveways, but one day some teenagers emerge from an SUV, beat him up, and steal his shoveling money. Is it mugging? Is it bullying? It’s definitely a crime. But who wants to be the kid that got beat up and thrown in the snow? Not cool. His newspaper staff decides to fight back by determining their middle school’s top ten bullies. But will they go too far?
Find out by reading Adam Canfield: Watch Your Back! by Michael Winerip.
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18 year-old Ben Wolf is a scrawny guy who is pretty good at cross country. He’s sure he will never be able to play football like his brother – he would get annihilated on the field. It’s senior year and he has a plan: Run cross country, get into a good college, and maybe ask out his dream girl, if he can find the courage. A routine athletic physical reveals that Ben’s senior year may be his last. He has leukemia, and there’s no hope. At the age of 18, he legally doesn’t have to tell his family. He doesn’t have to tell anyone. But will he?
What would you do if you had one year to live? What will Ben do? Go out for football? Talk to the girl? Tell his teachers what he really thinks of them? Read Deadlineby Chris Crutcher find out what happens to your plans when they’re cut short.
These books can be found or requested at your public library. Can’t find what you want at the public library? Request it! The Jennings County Public Library has access to books from 90 libraries around the state!
*Miss Bowman is the Library Media Specialist at JCMS. She enjoys hiking, reading, texting, awkward guys, and her local public library.
Thank you, Miss Bowman, for clueing us in on three great books for summer reading. Which of these books will you be picking up this summer?
How many of you plan to spend your summer taking part in some sport? If you are not on the field practicing or playing, pick up one of these books by Carl Dueker. I call his books sports-plus. They are packed with sports action, but the action and emotion carry over into life off the field as well. Emily P, Evan P, Wyatt D, and Tara T found plenty to enjoy, too.
Enjoy these glogs:
Enjoy these posters:
Emily’s poster:
Evan’s poster:
Trevor and Sam may look just alike, but they live in very different worlds. Trevor was born into Hollywood “royalty.” His dad is a powerful producer, and his mother is a famous actress. He stars in major motion pictures as well. What else could he want besides the life of luxury that surrounds him? Just the one thing he can’t have–a normal life as a baseball player on a real baseball team. Sam, on the other hand, lives with his dad in a run-down trailer next to the garbage dump. Both of them have dreams of a better life. Sam lives baseball, and has a chance (if his team wins the championship and he earns MVP of the tournament) to make it to the USC Elite Training Center. His dad may be a high school English teacher who loves to quote Shakespeare, but he dreams of making it as a screen writer.
