RECOMMENDEDREADS JFICTION:SPORTS
J BISH, J
Jenn Bishop FREE THROWS, FRIENDSHIP AND OTHER THINGS WE FOULED UP
GAME FACE J GREE, S
Shari Green
J FULL
New to Cincinnati, where her father is now coach of the University basketball team, eighth-grader Aurora finds herself isolated by the heated team rivalries--especially when it turns out her new friend Abby's father has a mysterious feud with Rory's father that threatens her new friendship.
J FEIN, J
MIXED DOUBLES
John Feinstein
Eleven-year-old Andi Carillo quickly becomes the star of her school's new co-ed tennis team, and when her talent attracts sports agents who want her to play professionally, Andi's best friend Jeff Michaels helps her thwart the agents by uncovering their underhanded schemes.
Thirteen-year-old Jonah is determined to prove that anxiety won't stop him from succeeding as his hockey team's goalie in this dynamic novel in verse. What-ifs rattle around his brain at the worst times, like when he's in the middle of a playoff game. What if he lets his teammates down? What if he can't make it pro? And the biggest what-if of all, the one he keeps to himself- what if he's like his dad, whose life is controlled by anxiety that has only gotten worse since Jonah's mom died in a car crash?
J FULL, A
FLIPPING FORWARD TWISTING BACKWARD
Alma Fullerton
The gym is where Claire shines and she's on her way to qualifying for the state championships. Claire's struggle with something that seems to come easily to everyone else will resonate with listeners and have them cheering her on.
ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NATTY
Lisa
Greenwald
When Natty's mom kind of takes a break from her dad and sort of the whole family, Natty and her dad move to his childhood hometown of Miller Creek. Now she's starting middle school for the second time, this time in Miller Creek, without her mom, or her BFF. But Natty's doing great! Really. Anything is possible. But what happens when the leader of the pep squad has no more cheer to give?
HANDS J MALD, T
Torrey Maldonado
J ENGL, S
LEARNING TO FALL
Sally Englefried
Daphne spends a vacation with her estranged father, whom she has not seen in years, and the pair bond over their love of skateboarding.
Twelve-year-old Trevor has an adult problem to deal with: how to protect himself, his sisters, and his mother from his abusive stepfather (currently in prison) and he thinks the way to do that is to take up boxing--although he would really rather draw.
J GREE, T
Tommy Greenwald DINGED
Fourteen-year-old star freshman quarterback Caleb Springer watches his father deteriorate from injuries he suffered playing the very same sport, forcing Caleb to consider whether playing football, the sport of his dreams, is worth risking irreparable physical harm.
SKATING ON MARS J HUNT, C
Caroline Huntoon
Still coping with the death of their father, twelve-year-old Mars tries to figure out their place on and off the rink as they navigate being nonbinary in a traditionally gendered sport.
Laurie Morrison COMING UP SHORT J MORR, L
Seventh-grader Bea is the star short stop on her softball team, which is going to the league championship, but her world has been turned upside down by the news that her father has been suspended from his law practice because he used some of his clients' money to pay bills.
TUMBLE J PERE, C
Celia C. Pérez
Christie Matheson SELECT J MATH, C
One girl and her soccer team take a stand against the bullies who push them too far in this brave, inspiring novel that celebrates girl power and the true spirit of sports coaching and celebrates the true spirit of sports.
From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk and Strange Birds, a dazzling novel about a young girl who collects the missing pieces of her origin story from the family of legendary luchadores she’s never met.
ANIA DEL MAR JUMPS IN J MEND, J
Jasminne Mèndez
Aniana and Papi keep her swim practices and meets hidden from Mami, who has never recovered from losing someone she loves to the water years ago. That is, until the day Ani's stiffness and swollen joints mean she can no longer get out of bed, and Ani is forced to reveal just how important swimming is to her.
Twelve-year-old Emmie is working to raise money for a tricked-out wheelchair to get serious about WCMX, when a mishap on a poorly designed ramp at school throws her plans into a tailspin.
Marcus Stroman THE GRIP J STRO, M
Marcus is determined to make it to the highest playing level he can, despite every coach telling him he’s not tall enough to become a “real” pitcher. He’ll show them with some struggling and a whole lot of learning. These hard lessons are universal whether in the majors or at school, and so are teamwork, competition, and believing in yourself.