SLO |
Make-Believe Ball Player
(age 8-11) by Alfred Slote sports Publisher comments: In real life, Henry is clumsy, nearsighted, and slow to react -- not exactly a star athlete. But in Henry's games of make-believe baseball, he's always a winner, no matter what. Henry has played real ball, and he doesn't like it very much. Somehow, no matter how hard he tries, he ends up losing the game for his team. Imaginary games are much better: He can play any position he wants, and he can also impersonate both teams, the coaches, and even the crowd. Then one night Henry finds himself in the middle of a dangerous situation. And as a result of the attention that follows, Henry is drawn back into the world of real baseball -- and is given another chance to be a real sports hero! |
HUR |
Baseball Fever
(age 8-11) by Johanna Hurwitz humor ... family ... sports Ezra Feldman, almost ten, likes baseball more than anything else in the world. But his father cannot understand why his son would rather rot his brains watching men swinging big wooden sticks than read a book or play chess. Can an unwanted car trip, a grumpy old professor, and a surprising chess victory help father and son find a little common ground--and convince Ezra's dad that cheering for the national pastime isn't completely off base? |
KIR |
The Little Ballerina and Her Dancing Horse
(age 8-11) by Gelsey Kirkland sports Eleven-year-old Rosie must choose between the two things she loves most--ballet and horseback riding. |
YEE |
Good Luck, Ivy
(age 8-11) by Lisa Yee growing up ... sports ... family Ivy Ling feels invisible. The middle child in a busy Chinese-American household, Ivy's mother has gone back to school to become a lawyer and her father has two jobs to keep the family afloat. And if that's not enough, Ivy's best friend Julie Albright has moved to another part of San Francisco. The only place Ivy feels at home is at gymnastics. But when she learns that the big gymnastics tournament is scheduled for the same day as the annual Ling family reunion, Ivy wrestles with a difficult choice. Gradually, with her brother Andrew's help, Ivy realizes that she can take charge of her life--and make her own luck. |
MAC |
Edward's Eyes
(age 8-11) by Patricia Maclachlan illness/loss ... family ... sports Jake is a part of an extraordinary family. He has a life filled with art, music, and long summer nights on the Cape. He has hours and days and months of baseball. But, more than anything in this world, Jake knows he has Edward. From the moment he was born, Jake knew Edward was destined for something. Edward could make anyone laugh and everyone think. During one special year, he became the only one in the neighborhood who could throw a perfect knuckleball. It was a pitch you could not hit. That same year, Jake learned there are also some things you cannot hold. |
JON |
Champ
(age 8-11) by Marcia Thornton Jones friendship ... animals ... sports Riley is awful at sports. He wants to quit the baseball team, but his dad won't let him give up. So when one bad swing brings a three-legged dog into his life, Riley feels like he's been thrown a curveball. How can he take care of a dog and make his dad proud? Champ is a former champion show dog. But when the accident that leaves him with Riley also leaves him with three legs, this dog has to learn some new tricks. Can Champ show Riley that winning doesn't always mean coming in first? Together, Riley and Champ make a great team, but not everyone thinks so. Could they be separated? |
VAN |
Benjy the Football Hero
(age 8-11) by Jean Van Leeuwen school ... sports Benjy discovers that brains work better than brawn when it comes to beating the other fourth grade class's football team. |
HEN |
Black Gold
(age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry animals ... sports No one thinks much of Black Gold because he is so small. But Jaydee sees something special in his eyes. He knows Black Gold would be great if he was his rider! Finally, Jaydee gets his wish. And Black Gold grows strong and fast under his careful hands. Soon it would be time for the most important race in America. Did they really have what it takes to win? Black Gold's inspirational story proves that the power of love and dedication can make any dream come true. |
GIF |
Poopsie Pomerantz, Pick Up Your Feet
(age 8-11) by Patricia Reilly Giff growing up ... sports ... the arts Poopsie Pomerantz is sure that ballet lessons will make her slim and graceful. But her friend Tracy Matson makes fun of Poopsie's efforts, saying there's no hope for chubby Poopsie. Tracy is surprised when Poopsie announces she's getting the starring role in her dance school's ballet. And Poopsie's surprised, too, because it's not true! She didn't mean to say that. Now she has to pray that Tracy doesn't come to the ballet, because guess which part Poopsie really has? |
GUT |
The Million Dollar Kick
(age 8-11) by Dan Gutman enterprise ... sports Whisper Nelson remembers scoring a point for the opposing team in her last soccer match four years ago. So when she wins a chance to kick a goal past a professional soccer player for a million dollars, she is torn. Should she risk further humiliation and failure in front of all of Oklahoma City? sequel: The Million Dollar Shot sequel: The Million Dollar Strike sequel: The Million Dollar Goal |
PET |
Matt Christopher's Sports Series (age 8-11) by Stephanie Peters realistic ... friendship ... sports The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the importance of good sportsmanship and playing as part of a team. You'll find all this and more in Matt Christopher's exciting books. title: Comeback of the Home Run Kid title: Football Double Threat |
CHR |
Matt Christopher's Sports Series (age 8-11) by Matt Christopher realistic ... friendship ... sports The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the importance of good sportsmanship and playing as part of a team. You'll find all this and more in Matt Christopher's exciting books. title: Baseball Turnaround title: Challenge at Second Base title: The Comeback Challenge title: The Diamond Champs title: Face-Off title: Glue Fingers title: Goalkeeper in Charge title: Ice Magic title: The Kid Who Only Hit Homers title: Prime Time Pitcher title: Red-Hot Hightops title: The Reluctant Pitcher title: Roller Hockey Radicals title: Skateboard Tough title: Snowboard Maverick title: Soccer Duel title: Spike It! title: Tough to Tackle title: Wild Pitch title: Wingman on Ice title: The Submarine Pitch title: Long-Arm Quarterback title: Football Fugitive |