Gr 4-7--A part of the "Jake Maddox" collection, these middle grade books are focused on female athletes who share a passion for their sports. Tamaya Jackson is the captain of her gymnastics team in Aerials and Envy. After a local news station makes her the center of their segment on the team, she must learn how to share attention and be a good teammate. In Catching Confidence, bookish Ana finds herself fascinated by softball after seeing a college team play. When she does not earn a spot on her school's team, she must gain confidence and work with a combative teammate. Each story is balanced between detailed descriptions of the athletics and interpersonal relationships with team members, though the plots can occasionally be slow-paced. The books, which are written at a third grade reading level, include a glossary of sports terms, discussion questions, writing prompts, and additional information about the sport. VERDICT With diverse, relatable characters, this series can fill the gap in many collections for appealing hi-lo sports titles directed towards girls.
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Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler – or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps – literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers. ¿Quién es Jake Maddox? ¿Atleta, autor, viajero mundial o los tres? Ha surfeado en Hawái, buceado en Australia y escalado las montañas de Perú y Alaska. Sus libros abarcan desde los deportes de equipo más populares hasta actividades al aire libre, aventuras de supervivencia e incluso carreras de autos. Sus hazañas han inspirado a numerosos escritores a seguir sus pasos, ¡literalmente! Cada una de sus historias está marcada por el trabajo en equipo, el juego limpio y un fuerte sentido de autoestima y disciplina. Siempre un jugador de equipo, Maddox se da cuenta de que se necesita más de una persona para crear un libro lo suficientemente bueno para un joven lector. Espera que las lecciones aprendidas en la cancha, el campo o la arena y el ritmo de velocista campeón de sus libros puedan motivar a los niños a convertirse en mejores atletas y lectores de por vida.
