Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

Danny Walker may be the smallest kid on the basketball court, but no one has a bigger love of the game, or a better sense of how to hit the open player with the perfect pass. Then the local travel team—the same travel team Danny’s dad, Richie Walker, led to the national championship on ESPN when he was a kid— cuts Danny because of his height. But Danny isn’t about to give up on basketball. It turns out that... (more)

Heat

by Mike Lupica

Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the family’s escape from Cuba, Michael’s only family is his seventeen-yearold brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care system—or worse, sent back to Cuba. Together,... (more)

Keeper

by Mal Peet

"This stirring adventure — a soccer story? a ghost story? — defies expectations. . . . Both lyrical and gripping." — KIRKUS REVIEWS (starred review) When Paul Faustino of LA NACION flips on his tape recorder for an exclusive interview with El Gato — the phenomenal goalkeeper who single-handedly brought his team the World Cup — the seasoned reporter quickly learns that this will be no ordinary story. Instead,... (more)

The Big Field

by Mike Lupica

Playing shortstop is a way of life for Hutch—not only is his hero, Derek Jeter, a shortstop, but so was his father, a former local legend turned pro. Which is why having to play second base feels like demotion to second team. Yet that’s where Hutch ends up after Darryl “D-Will” Williams, the best shortstop prospect since A-Rod, joins the team. But Hutch is nothing if not a team player, and he’s cool with playing... (more)

Box Out

by John Coy

Liam has just been bumped up to starter on the varsity basketball team, and the pressure's on. With the girls' team heading to State, the boys' team is under even greater scrutiny than usual in Liam's small midwestern town. When the team's coach starts counting on the power of prayer---and enforcing teamwide participation---Liam finds himself in a spotlight that's more nerve-racking than any trip to the free-throw... (more)

The Million Dollar Shot

by Dan Gutman

11-year-old Eddie Ball gets a chance to win a million dollars by sinking a foul shot at the National Basketball Association finals.

Hoops (Laurel Leaf Books)

by Walter Dean Myers

A teenage basketball player from Harlem is befriended by a former professional player who, after being forced to quit because of a point shaving scandal, hopes to prevent other young athletes from repeating his mistake.

The Sportswriter (Vintage Contemporaries)

The Sportswriter (Vintage Contemporaries)

by Richard Ford

To coordinate with the publication of its long-awaited sequel, Independence Day, Vintage is reissuing this novel. In the course of one Easter week, Frank Bascombe, a former novelist who now supports himself writing about men who live more successfully within themselves, walks the treacherous line between elation and searing regret. Profile in Vanity Fair.

Game 1 (Barnstormers)

by Loren Long, Phil Bildner

Griffith, Graham, and Ruby's father passed away in the war. And now they must join their mother and their father's wartime traveling baseball team, The Travelin' Nine, on a tour of America to raise money. No one will tell the kids why the team needs money so badly. Their only clue is a baseball with a hole the size of an acorn in it that their Uncle Owen gave to them the night of their father's funeral. They know... (more)

Raiders Night

by Robert Lipsyte

The pressure is on. At Nearmont High School, football stars are treated like royalty, and Matt Rydek has just ascended to the throne. As co-captain of the Raiders, he's got it all, or so it seems: hot girls, all the right friends, plenty of juice to make him strong, and a winning team poised to go all the way. If he can keep his eye on the ball now, his future will be set, with a full ride to a Division One... (more)

Scupper Hargreaves, Football Genie

by Chris D' Lacey

When Adam snatches a chance to get his hands on the Parkways Cup - a glorius trophy won many years ago by his grandad - he gets a lot more than he bargained for. For out of the Cup swirls a ghostly goalie with the power to grant any footballing wish - Scupper Hargreaves!

Game, Set, and Match (Going for Gold)

by Donna King

Ever since Cassie was old enough to hold a tennis racket, her dad has been training her to be the best. Now age twelve, she's a star player with fast reactions, long legs, and an excellent backhand. But something is wrong: she just doesn't feel the same way about tennis anymore. She keeps having to choose between her friends and tennis -- between having fun or endless hours on the court. When Cassie is whisked... (more)

Goal!

by Robert Rigby

This is a terrific story of a young Latino boy, who spotted by an ex-scout, playing in a park in Los Angeles, wins himself a trial at one of England's Premier League clubs - Newcastle United. Struggling to cope with the gritty Northern weather, the rivalries and jealousies from other players and dodgy scouts, he has just this one shot at fulfilling his dream. He has the skill, but does he have the pace and stamina... (more)

Schooled (Bluford Series, Number 15)

by Paul Langan

There's no backing down for Lionel Shephard. With a dream of joining the NBA, all he wants to do at Bluford High is play basketball. But everyone's trying to stop him. His father thinks basketball is a waste of time; his teachers don't know he can barely read and threaten to fail him; and his dropout friend Jamar wants him to quit school. Unsure where to turn, Lionel must make a choice. Will he pursue his dream or... (more)

Dream Team (Hotshots)

by Terence Blacker

An invitation to play in a tournament means a trip to Suffolk. The Hotshots find that they're involved in a mysterious game that's far more deadly than soccer.

Double Twist (Going for Gold)

by Donna King

Twelve-year-old Laura Lee and her thirteen-year-old partner, Patric, have their sights set on the Junior Pair skating championship at the Montreal Grand Prix. After months of preparation, they are almost ready for the performance of their lives. Well drilled in their lifts and spins, the two skate like a dream together. But a training accident puts Patric out of action. Laura's dreams are shattered --unless she... (more)

Goal Power: A Real Life Girl's Soccer Story

Goal Power: A Real Life Girl's Soccer Story

by Mandy Cross

Going Straight (Black Apples)

by Michael Coleman

A hard-hitting, gritty novel, from popular author Michael Coleman. Packed with suspense, this gripping read deals with real issues for teenagers today. Luke has grown up on the wrong side of the tracks. He knows that a life of crime does pay. Then he meets Jodi through the young offenders scheme, and discovers the choices he can make in his life and the meaning of truth, justice, as well as real friendship. But... (more)

Shooting Star

by Martin Waddell

Buzzer Jezz: the official story. The story of the most-feared striker in the Premiership - in the world even - is told here by the man who spotted him, through the key games in Buzz's early career from a pub-team kick-about to a Champions League semi-final. This is an absorbing and detailed inside account of the fall and rise of the most exciting footballer of his generation - Buzzer Jezz, shooting star.

The Young Oxford Book of Football Stories

The Young Oxford Book of Football Stories

by James Riordan

A collection of Football Stories, mixing humour, excitement and tension, about professional and amateur teams, girls playing and succeeding, English and German soldiers at Christmas, Gestapo v. Kiev Dynamo - and football poems as well. James Riordan is a distinguished children's book writer, as well as being Professor of Russian at the University of Surrey. This book is now being reissued in a smaller,... (more)

Shelfari Book Activity

Tags: sports fiction

by Mike Lupica

by Mike Lupica

by Mal Peet

by Mike Lupica

by John Coy

by Dan Gutman

by Walter Dean Myers

by Richard Ford

by Loren Long, Phil Bildner

by Robert Lipsyte

by Chris D' Lacey

by Donna King

by Robert Rigby

by Paul Langan

by Terence Blacker

by Donna King

by Mandy Cross

by Michael Coleman

by Martin Waddell

by James Riordan