Middle Grade Review: Stealing the Score

Best friends Sasha and Ethan meet Mateo. All three kids are huge soccer fans. They're excited to participate in the contest to attend the Men's World Cup. Their favorite play is hosting a scavenger hunt. At first, Ethan and Mateo butt heads, but Sasha sees another side of Mateo and tells Ethan to give him a chance.

When their favorite soccer player's cleats are stolen, they're sad to see him play so poorly. He's devastated at the loss of his cleats - his magic touch. He can't believe it. In a series of videos, he's worse in each one - until the world believes he's been kidnapped.

Can the three kids come together and solve the mystery of the stolen cleats?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I loved the sports element, the video games, the friendship moments, the family moments, and the moments with a superstar soccer player. There's something for everyone in this book. I liked how the two boys became friends because of Sasha. There were a lot of connections in this book that came together, which was fun to read. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: my Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

Booklist: Hockey

 

Lately, I've been reading hockey books. I thought I would create a booklist

Books Included:

It's a Love/Skate Relationship

Being Sloan Jacobs

Icebreaker

Michigan vs. the Boys

Off the Ice

A Cold Day in the Sun

Bea Mullins Takes a Shot

On Thin Ice (currently checked out from the library)

* If you love the figure skating books, here's a list for you

Mini Review: The Favorites

 

I love books about figure skating, so ice dancing isn't a huge leap.

I'm not a fan of Wuthering Heights and toxic relationships - however, this was a really hard book to put down. The short chapters interspersed with interviews from a documentary was like catnip. I had to know what happened. 

Usually, I read a book because I connect to the characters - but this was one of those books where you just didn't like anyone. But that didn't bother me. 

Booklist: Summer Olympics

 

The games start today!

Who will you be watching?

I'm partial watching to Gymnastics, Basketball, Track and Field, and Swimming

Catch up on some books while you wait for your favorite sport(s):

Happy Reading and Happy Watching! 

Graphic Novel Review: Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper

Gemma's dealing with a lot right now - she's picking up the slack from her mother, looking after her brothers, and helping her older brother with his baseball dreams. But could she have dreams of her own? Gemma's just trying to keep everything together, but can she also figure out what she wants?

My Thoughts: A great graphic novel with sports and drama. All the drama! (Friendship, school, and family drama) I love it when the siblings play baseball together. I love it when Teddy realizes the truth about Gemma and forces her to realize it too. While the parents aren't great in this one, the father realizes it in the end. I like how the illustrations are mostly green, black, and white. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: A great sports graphic novel - highly recommended for your school and public library collections!

Children's Basketball Books: A Place to Start

 If you have a kiddo curious about basketball or who just loves the sport. 

Here's a great place to start in books

1. Fiction

2. Fiction written by the pros

3. Biographies - read up on your favorite superstars

4. About the Game

And if you're looking for middle grade books here's a list of Books with Female Main Characters and Middle Grade and YA Books with Male Main Characters

Review: We Are Family

 

Jayden Carr has been training all summer to be ready for Hoop Group--the free afterschool basketball program where his hero, NBA superstar Kendrick King, got his start. But when his beloved coach tells him there's not going to be a Hoop Group this year, Jayden is heartbroken.

And he's not the only one. Coach Beck's daughter, Tamika, was planning to be the first girl ever to start for the squad. Chris King, Kendrick's only nephew, spent the summer bragging that his uncle was coming home just to watch him play. For Anthony Pierson, Hoop Group was supposed to be his way out of trouble. And for Dexter Donyel, all 4'6" of him, Hoop Group was his chance to finally be part of a team, instead of just watching from the stands.

For each kid, Hoop Group was more than just a chance to ball; it was an escape, a dream, a family. Now their prospects seem all but impossible--but then the world hasn't met Jayden, Tamika, Chris, Anthony, and Dex before. Determined to have their shot, the five new friends scrap, hustle, fight, and play hard to save their season to prove that sometimes a chance is all it takes. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book.* I loved Jayden but my heart went out of the Tamika. I adored her characters and how she was determined to make this team happy - even if it meant standing up to her father. I loved Chris's story arc and how he changed. I loved how this team became a team of underdogs but had each other's backs. 

*There was one nitpicking problem and that was the layout. I didn't like how they characters switched POVs in the middle of the chapters. It was sometimes hard to figure out the new character's POV and took me out of the story.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic - so many little details.

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries.

Review: Dating Playbook

 

* Book 2 in the Boyfriend Playbook trilogy *

Taylor's personal training business needs serious help. She's amazing at her job, but thanks to a few bad choices, the bills are piling up. Taylor needs a solution and fast.

Luck just might be on her side. Former NFL player Jamar Dixon left professional football due to an injury. He's interested in making a comeback. He hires Taylor to help him get back into shape - if Taylor will keep his plan a secret. Taylor agrees if Jamar will publicly support her business once he makes the team.

What starts off as a business deal quickly becomes complicated when a reporter asks Jamar a tough question. Taylor steps in and tells the world they are dating. Now, they have to fake date and keep their training private. 

It's not hard to fake date a former professional athlete - but it does require a certain amount of skill.

My Thoughts: I loved the Boyfriend Project, so I was really happy to read this one. I loved how the women met in the first book - well, mostly how they stayed friends and kept each other accountable for their goals. I love learning more about Taylor. I enjoyed her fitness tips and her energy. I liked her moments with Jamar - the banter and the getting to know each other. Fake dating is a favorite trope of mine. I'm so looking forward to London's story!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have trilogy for your library's romance collection.

Athletes Who Became Authors

 

Watch them.

Read them.

   

   

   

Review: She Drives Me Crazy

 

Basketball player Scottie Zajac has never liked cheerleader Irene Abraham. Especially after Irene towed her car at a party. So she's less than thrilled when the fender bender in the parking lot happens with Irene.

Even worse, their moms get involved. Neither of the girls can stop the plans their moms put into place. Scottie will drive Irene to and from school until her car is fixed. In their forced time together, they trade snarky comments.

But people take notice of them driving together - especially Scottie's ex girlfriend.  Which makes Scottie hatch a fake dating plan. If it works, her ex might no longer be an ex.

My Thoughts: From the moment I heard about this book, I needed to read it. And I loved it. So many awesome parts: basketball, cheerleading (of course it's a sport), fake dating, enemies to lovers trope, friendship, and of course the romance. I loved the snark and the banter between Scottie and Irene. I loved the sports award drama and how it all turned out. I enjoyed the families of each girl - especially Scottie's sisters. I didn't want to put this book down, it was super good!

Cover Thoughts: Perfection

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Grab this sports romance for your teen collections! Highly Recommended.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books for my younger self

This week's topic is all about books for my younger self. This could go so many ways - from food to friendship breakups to sisters. High School Me was split into two - the good years and the not so good years. But for the first two years of high school, I was happy. I loved sports and my friends. Basketball my was great love but it didn't work out. I loved watching figure skating and gymnastics too. So I would have loved these books. 

Would you have liked these as your younger self?

Review: Nikki on the Line

Nikki's excited to play basketball for an elite club team. It's the team that will make or break her basketball career. She's not afraid to work for it. This team will help her make the basketball team in high school and hopefully beyond.

She's thrilled to discover that she's made the team, but as time goes on everything changes. She's no longer a point guard but she's never been a shooting guard. Most of the girls are taller and faster than her. When she overhear some nasty comments made about her by a parent, she begins to doubt herself.

That doubt grows and multiples with each mistake that she makes (and she makes a bunch). Nikki's struggling at everything - her basketball, finding her place on the team, friendships, school work, and taking care of her little brother. Can she dig deep and rediscover her confidence?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - mostly for the basketball but there is a lot of other good moments. I loved Nikki's work ethic and how she wanted so hard to do her best. I loved the basketball moments - even though they were intense. I felt bad for Nikki and how money became an issue for her and her family. But I admired her solution. And I really did love the moments between Nikki and her brother. The bits about her mother and her reading habits amused me. I loved her moments with Booker. I found it interesting that they bonded over hardships in the family life - things they didn't want all the students to know about. A great book about basketball - but also about friendship drama, new friendships, family, and dreams.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Another great middle grade sports book for school and public libraries - highly recommended. 

Review: We Are the Wildcats

The Wildcats' season is just beginning, but they're coming off the loss of the championship game. There are reasons for the loss. But now the team has to pull themselves together.

They just discovered their teammates and there's a scrimmage tomorrow against the team that beat them. They have one night to gel as a team. Luckily the sleepover tradition will help.

This is the one night of the season that they break all the rule in the name of tradition. The initiation ceremony helps seal the bond of friendship and teammates. But the coach throws a wrench into their plans and the night pivots in a way Mel, the captain, never imagined.

My Thoughts: I've been waiting to read this book since I heard Siobhan talking about this during her book tour for Stay Sweet. And it was really good. It kept me guessing and I couldn't wait to see how everything turned out. I loved the multiple perspectives and how all the stories came together within a 24 hour window. My heart broke for these girls but it also cheered for them. I loved their friendship, their loyalty, and their sportsmanship. It's hard to talk too much about this book without giving away spoilers, but I really really enjoyed it. I didn't want to put it down and I didn't want the book to end. I want more about these characters. 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: Book from the library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your library. Siobhan Vivian is now an auto-buy for me for the library's collection.

Review: Fumbled

* Book 2 in the Playbook series *

Poppy Patterson's main concern is her son. As a single mom, she worries about making his life the best that she can. She's not concerned about the past - until her past walks into her work.

When football player TK Moore walks into the club, he's stunned to see her. From their reunion, it's clear that they both have feelings for each other. When Poppy tells him about his son, TK flips out.

Poppy's not impressed. But when TK runs into his son on the soccer field, there's no denying the truth. He's dumbfounded to learn the truth about the past. TK knows he's can't make up for the past, but he can be present in the future - if Poppy will let him...

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the chemistry between Poppy and TK. I loved Poppy and Ace and their relationship. I loved the friendships Poppy found within the wives and girlfriends of the team football players. I loved the snark and the support from the other women. I enjoyed hearing updates about the characters in the previous book. I liked the discussion about concussions and the dangers of playing football. I loved the second chance romance. I couldn't put this book down.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your romance section at your public libraries

Best Discovery: The next book in the series is already out (and I'm currently reading it)

Graphic Novel Review: Dragon Hoops

Dragon Hoops follows one California team as they chance the state championship title. They've been chasing the title for years and have gotten to the title game several times...but have come up short each time.

Gene Yang's never been a jock. He's more of a nerd and that has stayed true from his high school days to his teaching days.  When he attempts to find the subject for his new book, he thinks this might be the perfect story to tell.

My Thoughts: And it is. I'm a basketball fan. I played basketball, I watch basketball, and I love reading about basketball. So I knew that I was going to love this book. I loved how the history of basketball was interwoven with the story. I loved learning about the players on the team. I also love stories about the underdogs. It's the story of dreams, hope, and hard work.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect. I love the little bumps on the cover. Genius.

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for high school libraries and public libraries.

Review: Friday Night Stage Lights

Brooklyn lives for ballet. Even though her life's changed so much in the past few months, she's hopeful for a spot at Texas School of Arts. She and mother moved when her mother remarried. Now they live in Texas - smack in the middle of football country. She doesn't understand the fascination with football.

But when her dance partner injures himself, she must find a substitute partner - and quickly. She turns to an unlikely source - a football player. Logan makes her a deal, he's willing to learn the steps, but he asks for a favor in return. He wants Brooklyn to learn to appreciate football.

She knows it's never going to happen, but it doesn't hurt to try if it means making her dreams come true.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - I loved learning about dance. I loved the football moments. I loved how both the football jocks and Brooklyn came to appreciate each other's favorite sport. I liked the family moments, especially those between Brooklyn and Tanner. I loved the support from Brooklyn's friends and how they had her back in the Big Moment. And I loved that ending! 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries.

Review: Hockey: then to wow

A history of hockey.

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. Confession: I know almost nothing about hockey, so it was enjoyable to learn about the history of the sport. I loved the photographs, the trivia, and the layout of the book. It's a great overview of the game.

I only wish there had been more mention of women in the sport. There was a two page spread of great women players, but there were opportunities throughout the book for more mentions.

Hockey fans young and old will enjoy this book. 

Review: Coming Up For Air

* Last book in the Hundred Oaks series *

Swimming has been Maggie's focus for as long as she can remember. She spends her days swimming, eating, and sleeping. Then does it all over again the next day.  She's hoping to make the Olympic team one day.

Because of her goal, she hasn't lived the normal high school life. She hangs out with her friends at least once a week for a night out - food and laughter. But she's missed out on having boyfriends.

Now she after an incident at a party, she doesn't want to be embarrassed by her lack of experience with guys. So she asks her best friend and fellow swimmer for lessons on hooking up - which could be the best thing that ever happened to her or a complete disaster.

My Thoughts: I really love this series and I'm sad that it's over because I would keep reading it forever. But I do love how it ended, especially with the epilogue. I loved seeing favorite characters and knowing what's happened to them since we left them last.

I loved this friends to lovers story. And I love how focused both Levi and Maggie were on their swimming goals. Of course I love how much Maggie had to eat all the time. I loved their moments together and their conversations. I love how supportive they were of each other during their swim meets. 

I'm eager to read whatever Miranda Kenneally writes next. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Get this series for your library! Strong female characters with amazing sports skills, great friendship, and of course romance. 

Summer Reading: Display Ideas

I'm starting to think more and more about summer and trying to get everything ready to go to make it as smooth as possible. Summer's always super busy, but super fun. I love interacting with all the readers that come into the library and helping them pick out a book to read. And I love making displays to entice readers into picking up a great looking book.

Baseball

We set up a cool baseball one for the start of the season, so I'm looking for a new idea. Here's what I discovered while trying to think of a new idea.

Football

I posted these football ideas previously on the blog. 

 

Swimming/ Diving

Soccer

All Sports