F BOR	The Greatest Skating Race: a World War II Story From the Netherlands (age 8-11) by Louise Borden adventure ... war ... survival ... sports ... historical Publisher comments: "You're a strong skater, Piet, and you have a quick mind. This is why I know you'll succeed in this important task. I wouldn't ask you to do this if I didn't know it could be done." In 1941 Piet, a young Dutch boy from Sluis, gets the assignment of a lifetime: He must skate along the frozen canals of the Netherlands and across the Belgian border, in order to guide two neighborhood children to their aunt's house in Brugge, where the children will remain for the duration of World War II. Their father has been taken by German soldiers, and the children are no longer safe in Sluis -- but the journey with Piet, past soldiers and enemies, is fraught with danger. Along the treacherous path to Belgium the three children skate using every bit of speed, courage, and strength they can muster. All the time they try to appear like innocent schoolchildren simply out for a skate, for if the German soldiers discover their escape plan, the children will be in grave trouble. During the journey Piet thinks about his hero, Pim Mulier -- the first person to ever skate the Elfstedentocht, the famous and prestigious Eleven Towns Race that takes place in his country. For years Piet has dreamed of proving that he is a skater as brave and strong as Pim Mulier -- but he had never imagined that his test would fall under such dangerous circumstances.
F SLO	Matt Gargan's Boy (age 8-11) by Alfred Slote growing up ... family ... sports Catalog: A major leaguer's son feels threatened when a girl tries out for his baseball team and his divorced mother becomes interested in the girl's father.
F SLO	Tony and Me (age 8-11) by Alfred Slote friendship ... sports Catalog: Tony, a star athlete, befriends Bill and gives hope to the losing baseball team, but Tony's problems force Bill to make some tough decisions.
F 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!
F BLE	The Big Bike Race (age 8-11) by Lucy Jane Bledsoe family ... sports Publisher comments: Ernie was hoping for a sleek new racing bike for his tenth birthday, not a big, secondhand, yellow clunker. He knew it was all his grandmother could afford, yet he was still disappointed ... and embarrassed to show it to his friends. But the laughter of the other kids doesn't stop Ernie from racingk, or proving that it's determination, not the bike, that makes the winner!
F PAR	Skinnybones (age 8-11) by Barbara Park friendship ... sports ... humor For the smallest kid on the baseball team, Alex “Skinnybones” Frankovitch has a major-league big mouth! But when he brags his way into a pitching contest, this might be one mess that not even Alex can talk his way out of. sequel: Almost Starring Skinnybones
F COR	The Baseball Bargain (age 8-11) by Scott Corbett sports Woody is in a dilemma when he is offered a position on the baseball team in exchange for an expensive baseball glove.
F 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?
F 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.
F PEC	Hub (age 8-11) by Robert Newton Peck school ... sports When their teacher enters the annual Chump's Landing Overland Obstacle Bicycle Race, Horrace Hubert and his best friend Spooner Jitwell do everything they can to make sure she wins the silver trophy.
F 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.
F WIL	The Aurora County All-Stars (age 8-11) by Deborah Wiles friendship ... family ... bigotry ... sports Twelve-year-old House Jackson--star pitcher and team captain of the Aurora County All-Stars--has been sidelined for a whole sorry year with a broken elbow. He's finally ready to play, but wouldn't you know that the team's only game of the year has been scheduled for the exact same time as the town's 200th-anniversary pageant. Now House must face the pageant's director, full-of-herself Frances Shotz (his nemesis and perpetrator of the elbow break), and get his team out of this mess. There's also the matter of a mysterious old recluse who has died and left House a wheezy old dog named Eudora Welty--and a puzzling book of poetry by someone named Walt Whitman. Through the long, hot month of June, House makes surprising and valuable discoveries about family, friendship, poetry . . . and baseball.
F 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.
F 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?
F CHR	The Pigeon With the Tennis Elbow (age 8-11) by Matt Christopher family ... sports Kevin O'Toole, playing in a tennis tournament, meets a talking pigeon who turns out to be his great uncle ... and gives him tennis tips.
F CHR	Johnny No Hit (age 8-11) by Matt Christopher school ... sports Threatened by a beating if he hits against Roy's pitching, Johnny almost loses a ballgame for his team.
F BAR	The Black Belt Club Series (age 8-11) by Dawn Barnes sports ... adventure ... action In this high-drama action novel, four members of the elite Black Belt Club set off on a daring adventure to save the world from an evil force that can only be stopped if they use their martial arts skills and karate-spirit powers to work together. Full of high-kicks, blocks, and intelligent problem-solving, here is a series sure to pack a punch. title: The Seven Wheels of Power title: Night on the Mountain of Fear title: Beware of the Haunted Eye
F YOU	15 Minutes (age 8-11) by Steve Young fantasy ... humor ... sports ... magic Seventh-grader Casey Little is always late until he discovers a magic watch that takes him back in time, a trick he uses both on and off the football field. It's not that Casey Little is always late. It's just that everything starts a little too early. But when Casey discovers a weird little time machine, he figures he'll never be late again. Unfortunately, it's not a very good time machine. It can only go back 15 minutes. And it seems to have a mind of its own. Still ... what could possibly go wrong?
F VAN	Benjy in Business (age 8-11) by Jean Van Leeuwen enterprise ... sports ... school Benjy needs a new catcher's mit, and decides to go into business to earn the money to buy it. He tries everything from lemonade stands to dog-washing operations, and learns more than the value of a dollar along the way.
F 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.
F 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.
F 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?
F GAT	Little Vic (age 8-11) by Doris Gates sports ... animals An undersized colt, son of a famous racer, has the potential to be a winner but is recognized only by his stable boy who trains to become a jockey and wins the right to ride his favorite to victory.
F ELI	Jason and the Baseball Bear (age 8-11) by Dan Elish humor ... animals ... sports Fourth-grader Jason, the only member of his Little League team who can talk with animals, improves his team's chances to win the championship with the help of an elderly polar bear named Whitney.
F HIT	An Even Break (age 8-11) by Sid Hite sports ... enterprise It's tough getting work in a small town, but 12-year-old Frisk Tilden has managed to get the summer job every kid wants. He's manager of the back room of Billy Compton's hardware store. The back room has some pool tables and pinball machines, and nobody under 15 is allowed--except Frisk. Not only does Frisk have to rack up and clean up, but he must earn the respect of the teenage boys. Dan Breedon, the best pool player in town, helps Frisk earn their respect and even teaches him to play pool. On the day of the annual Wilma Eight-Ball Tournament, Frisk unexpectedly finds himself in the spotlight. All he needs to win is an even break.
F STR	Skating Shoes (age 8-11) by Noel Streatfeild friendship ... sports ... identity ... school ... the arts Publisher comments: It's a stroke of great luck when Harriet Johnsons doctor prescribes skating after an illness that has left her feeling frail and listless. For on her very first day at the rink, Harriet meets orphaned Lalla Moore, who is being brought up by her wealthy aunt Claudia to be a skating champion. Although they have little in common, the girls form a fast friendship. Harriet is energized by talented, funny Lalla, and Lalla in turn blossoms under the affection of openhearted Harriet. The girls skate together more and more. But just as Lallas interest in skating starts to fade, Harriets natural talent begins to emerge. Suddenly Lalla and Harriet seem headed in two very different directions. Can their friendship survive?
F JEN	Out Standing in My Field (age 8-11) by Patrick Jennings family ... friendship ... sports Ty has been named for baseball legend Ty Cobb, but the hero of Jennings' wonderful new novel isn't living up to his namesake's reputation when it comes to The Game. He loves baseball; he just isn't great at it, despite all the efforts of his coach and father, who himself once dreamed of playing in the majors. To complicate matters, Ty's younger sister Daisy is a baseball whiz (as well as the school genius). In this sharply witty, deeply poignant all-American novel, Ty has to figure out just who he's trying to please: his father, his teammates, or himself.
F 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 Putt sequel: The Million Dollar Goal
F TES	Some Kind of Pride (age 8-11) by Maria Testa identity ... family ... sports Eleven-year-old Ruth is the star shortstop in her small Maine town, and now a reporter is coming to interview her for Sports Illustrated magazine. She's at the top of her game. Then she overhears her father in the crowd: ``Real major-league talent. But I can't help thinking what a shame it is that it's all wasted on a girl.'' Suddenly Ruth is doubting herself, her dream, and the game she loves. In search of answers, she looks to those closest to her: her best friend, Ellie, a self-proclaimed feminist; her father, a famous sportswriter; and her mother, a firefighter hero, who died eight years ago. But Ruth knows the truth lies within herself.
F KVA	One Lucky Summer (age 8-11) by Laura McGee Kvasnosky realistic ... friendship ... sports Moving from Santa Cruz, California, to Sacramento, Steven, a ten-year-old baseball player, spends the summer trying to make friends with his next-door neighbor, ballet-loving Lucinda. Will this unlikely pair find common ground? The outcome will surprise them both.
F MAC	Eggs in One Basket (age 8-11) by Kathy Mackel science fiction ... sports ... school With the help of two middle school classmates and a bear-like talking ``dog'' from the planet Sirius, seventh-grader Scott Schreiber discovers that he can be a hero in other ways than on the football field.
F COS	Soccer Stars Series (age 8-11) by Emily Costello friendship ... sports Each story in this series follows the members of the Stars girls' soccer team as they work together on and off the field. title: Against the Rules title: Best Friend Face-Off title: Foul Play title: On the Sidelines title: Tournament Trouble
F CHR	The Hockey Machine (age 8-11) by Matt Christopher mystery ... survival ... adventure ... sports Catalog: Abducted by a "fan" and forced to become a member of a professional junior hockey team, thirteen-year-old star center Steve Crandall quickly realizes that he must play not only to win but to survive.
F 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: Soccer Hero title: Lacrosse Firestorm title: Comeback of the Home Run Kid title: Football Double Threat title: Lacrosse Face-Off title: On Thin Ice
F 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: The Lucky Baseball Bat title: Baseball Pals title: Baseball Turnaround title: The Basket Counts title: Catch That Pass! title: Catcher With a Glass Arm title: Center Court Sting title: Centerfield Ballhawk title: Challenge at Second Base title: The Comeback Challenge title: Comeback of the Home Run Kid title: Cool As Ice title: The Counterfeit Tackle title: Crackerjack Halfback title: The Diamond Champs title: Dirt Bike Racer title: Dirt Bike Runaway title: Double Play at Short title: Face-Off title: Football Nightmare title: The Fox Steals Home title: Glue Fingers title: Goalkeeper in Charge title: Hard Drive to Short title: Ice Magic title: Inline Skater title: Johnny Long Legs title: Johhny No Hit title: The Kid Who Only Hit Homers title: Making the Save title: Man Out at First title: Mountain Bike Mania title: No Arm in Left Field title: Nothin' But Net title: Olympic Dream title: Pressure Play title: Prime Time Pitcher title: Red-Hot Hightops title: The Reluctant Pitcher title: Roller Hockey Radicals title: Skateboard Renegade title: Skateboard Tough title: Slam Dunk title: Snowboard Maverick title: Soccer Duel title: Soccer Halfback title: Soccer Scoop title: Spike It! title: The Spy on Third Base title: Stealing Home title: Takedown title: Top Wing title: Touchdown for Tommy title: Tough to Tackle title: Wheel Wizards title: Wild Pitch title: Wingman on Ice title: The Winning Stroke title: The Submarine Pitch title: Shoot for the Hoop title: Lacrosse Face-Off title: Master of Disaster title: Long-Arm Quarterback title: Football Fugitive

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