Search results for ""author jake maddox""

After a big growth spurt, dancer Mercy Smyth feels completely out of step. Her new height has thrown off her balance. Now dance moves that used to be easy are challenging and gymnastics skills that were always tricky are nearly impossible. It's going to take a lot of extra work and money that Mercy doesn't have to bring her skills back to competition level. Will Mercy ever feel graceful again?

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Will Pastora is entering his first snowboard race at the ski resort where he’s on holiday. Instead of signing up as a beginner -- where he belongs -- he lies about his experience and registers for a higher level of competition. But when he faces his first black-diamond mountain, Will learns that the high level isn't just about tougher competition. It's about dangerous terrain too. Will the racing newbie admit to his lie before he gets hurt?

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Addison is joining the track and field team, even though her mum said no. Addison has come up with a risky plan to compete. But soon she's torn between her love of sprinting relay races with the team and the guilt over lying to her mum. How can Addison pursue her running passion? With plenty of action and extra materials including discussion questions and bonus track facts, this Teen Sport Story is sure to be a hit with any young athlete.

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Twelve-year-old Calvin is skating his hardest in the ice hockey tournament. He's ready to lead the Blades to victory! But then he suffers a hard collision during the first game. The knock leaves him feeling rattled. Nervous. Terrified. Now he's freezing up every time another player comes anywhere near him on the ice. Can Calvin find a way to work through his puck panic and play his best for the team? Find out in this fast-paced, easy-to-read illustrated chapter book!

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Nina's basketball dreams have been dashed. After moving to a small town, she learns her new school doesn't have enough players to form a girls basketball team. Nina is devasted until she finds out the boys team is one player short, and anyone can try out! Nina decides to take a shot, and her hoop hopes rebound when she wins a spot on the roster. But not everyone is pleased she made the team. Can Nina prove herself as a power forward? Or will she buckle under pressure when a teammate tries to foul things up? Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read Sport Stories chapter book!

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Fourteen-year old Aarash is nervous to start his first year at Freemont Central High School. Though his family has lived in the country since he was eight years old, Aarash still feels like an outsider. Then an older friend suggests Aarash join the school’s wrestling team. Aarash is nervous but tries out anyway and is excited to make the team. But a bully on the mat makes Aarash rethink everything. Can he see his commitment through? Or will taking it to the mat cost more than he’s willing to sacrifice?

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When DeSean Mitchell makes an embarrassing mistake while showboating in the end zone, he ends up costing his American football team the game. In the final play, heâs tackled and lies on the field in defeat. A teammate assumes he is hurt, and rather than face the shame of his mistake, DeSean fakes an injury. How long will DeSean let the deception go on?

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Mike Gordon loves a good thrill. And he's not afraid to break the rules to get one. But when Mike goes too far, a friend steers him in the right direction: up. Rock climbing gives Mike all the excitement he needs. But when things get tough, will Mike fall back into his old rule-breaking habits?

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No one is more surprised by Thema Turner''s new interest in a video game than the bookworm herself. The battle game Shrinking Island Showdown reminds Thema of one of her favourite book trilogies, and the novels'' plots inspire how she plays the game. Her first tries are rough, and she struggles to last long in 100-player rounds, but she''s determined to get better. With her younger twin brothers'' help, she improves enough to compete in an esports SIS competition. Does Thema have what it takes to advance to the regional round?

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Lisa Vega and her basketball teammates are thrilled when they make it into the regional playoffs. But before they can play their first game, they discover that their school gym has been vandalized. Paint is splattered everywhere. The basketball hoops and nets are destroyed. And all of the balls have been slashed open. It’s the middle of winter, and the girls have nowhere to practice. Who would do this? Did the rival team from across town somehow wreck the girls’ gym? Or is someone else to blame? Follow along as Lisa and her teammates uncover the clues and track down the culprit who trashed their court in this exciting sport mystery!

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While at summer camp, Domingo and Carmen Rivera are excited for the big Camp Rivals Race, an annual cross-country running competition. But during the boy’s race, one runner trips and knocks over several competitors. Then another runner interferes with Domingo and keeps him from finishing in a higher spot. What’s going on? Are the boys conspiring against Domingo and the other runners from his camp? And what will happen to Carmen and the girls during their race? Follow Domingo and Carmen as they track down the clues to reveal the truth about the rival runners' plans in this exciting sport mystery!

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Mia Hernandez’s gymnastics team is nervous about the upcoming season. However, they’re encouraged when their new coach tells them that she was once a gymnast for their long-time rivals. The coach’s knowledge will be a great advantage during the season. But strange things begin to happen at the competitions. The wrong music is played during some girls’ floor exercises. Itching powder ends up in one team’s chalk. At another meet, the parallel bars fall apart while a competitor performs her routine. Someone is taking dangerous risks to cheat at the competitions. But who could it be, and why? Follow along as Mia discovers the shocking truth behind who’s been sabotaging the competition during the gymnastics season in this exciting sport mystery!

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Avani Patel loves to skateboard. With the nearest skate park an hour away, though, she doesn't get much chance to sharpen her skills or practise advanced tricks. Then one day, she learns the local council is considering building a skate park in town! But it's far from a done deal. Can Avani and her friends find a way to convince the council that a park is a worthy investment for the community, or will she be stuck doing ollies in her driveway? Find out in this fast-paced, easy-to-read illustrated chapter book!

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For twelve-year-old Autumn Holloway, a week at Blazing Hoops wheelchair basketball camp is a dream come true. She has high hopes that it will be her ticket to making friends and connections in the adaptive sports community. But Autumn struggles to fit in with her wealthier fellow campers. To make matters worse, she has to use a borrowed basketball wheelchair that keeps needing repairs. It takes a chance encounter to help Autumn realize that, no matter where she’s from or how she speaks, she belongs at camp - and on the court - just as much as anyone else.

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After winning their first playoff game, Badger teammates Kenny Hu and Romeo Russell get some disturbing news. The Supreme Bowl trophy has been stolen from the rival school across town! Even worse, the evidence points to the Badgers’ quarterback being the culprit. At first, Kenny and Romeo think it’s just a prank that went too far. But when their teammate insists that he didn’t do it, they decide to investigate. Where will the clues lead? Will the evidence show that their friend is innocent? Follow Kenny and Romeo as they work to uncover the truth behind the stolen trophy in this exciting sport mystery!

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Liv's temper is causing problems, on and off the football field. When one outburst gets her kicked off the team, Liv knows it's time for a change, or she'll never lace up her boots again. Can she learn to control her temper and overcome this football struggle? With plenty of action and extra back matter materials including discussion questions and bonus football facts, this Teen Sport Story is sure to be a hit with any young athlete.

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After Ivette is gifted an old game console, she becomes interested in speedrunning an old game called The Shattered Blade. So interested, in fact, that she enters an amateur speedrunning contest. As Ivette travels to the competition, news breaks that online gamer Quick Silver has broken the speedrun record once again. Can Ivette discover the glitches and techniques to put her in competition with the best?

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Francis is spending the week at an esports camp, with the hopes of becoming even better at Red Card Racers, his best and favourite game. But it doesn''t take long for Francis to realize that the camp competition is tough. Frustrated by his game performance, Francis struggles to make progress and even has to deal with a bad-mouthing competitor. Will Francis find a way move past his early losses to take advantage of all that the camp has to offer?

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Luis âœLuckyâ Martinez is the new kid on River Valley Junior High Schoolâs football team. But his goalie skills arenât the only thing being tested. When a school talent show opens for auditions, Luis will find out if heâs inherited his grandmother's musical skills. Can Luis juggle both, or will he have to choose which of his passions to save: football or music?

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After working hard in the close season, Quincy is thrilled to move up to a top-level football team and play with his friend Will. But the rest of his new teammates on the Vipers aren't so excited. They give Quincy the cold shoulder, making it difficult for him to find his groove. But soon, Quincy begins to earn some respect. Then his manager shifts him into the starting lineup, and moves Will to the bench. Can Quincy find a way to get Will back in the game? Or will their friendship falter over the sudden football snub? Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read Sport Stories chapter book!

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Figure skater Eva Chen is looking forward to sharing her latest routine. She’s skating to a song with Mandarin lyrics as a special nod to her Chinese grandmother. But when a fall results in concussion, Eva is forced to take time off the ice. To make matters worse, Eva overhears some fellow skaters making fun of her song. Will Eva find the strength to return to the ice despite her setbacks?

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Baxter Reilly has always felt at home in the water. And the school swimming team has been his place of refuge, especially over the past few months. Baxter's parents have separated, and his father is now living in a rundown flat. Instead of dealing with his home life, Baxter has devoted himself to the swimming team and their 4x400 freestyle. But how can he support a team when his life is so adrift?

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Samuel is a long-time fan of the classic world-building game Buildtopia, playing it years after his friends have forgotten about it. So he's excited to learn that a big game update has reignited interest in the video game. Now with new in-game challenges, Buildtopia is getting an eSports competition. Will Samuel turn his love of the game into an opportunity to compete and connect with new friends?

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Levi can't believe his ears when his new stepsister, Sofia, insists that karate isn't a real sport. But he's even more shocked when Sofia suddenly joins his karate school. Why is she there? And why can't she be more respectful toward Levi and his friends? Soon, the sparring between the new siblings turns into an outright competition, until Sofia tries to break a board and has a breakdown instead. Can Levi put aside his feelings to figure out what's at the heart of their karate clash? Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read Sport Stories chapter book!

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Chery lives to dance. She has her own hip-hop dance crew and a signature move that's a surefire showstopper. But when her crew is forced to break up, Chery is faced with joining her school's hip-hop dance team. Trouble is, Chery's not like most dance hopefuls who have formal training. She moves to the music based on what feels right rather than following a strict routine. Will Chery's unique skills be good enough for the dance competition? Or will her hip-hop hustle land her in hot water with her teammates? Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read Sport Stories chapter book!

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When Sheldon spends the day with his aunt, he has no idea he's about to enter the fast-paced world of go-kart racing. Sheldon's not keen on sports, but the combination of technical skill and adrenalin, along with an opposing bully, pulls him onto the track. Will Sheldon cross the finish line first, or will his dreams of go-kart racing break down?

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After only ever playing with friends and schoolmates, Ana Ramirez is excited to attend a basketball summer camp where she'll play on a real team with real teammates. But when the coach says they'll use something called "zone defence", the shooting guard feels totally lost and starts to doubt her skills. Can Ana get out of her comfort zone and ask for help? Combining a dramatic sports story with a dynamic full-colour comic format, this Graphic Novel is sure to be a win for any young reader.

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When Robinson learns about wheelchair rugby during Super Sports Saturday, he can’t wait to try it. But then his family moves halfway across the country to help take care of his grandma after she gets hurt. But Robinson’s in luck - his dad tells him about an organization called the Shore that has a wheelchair rugby team. Robinson’s in for quite a rush as he learns a new sport... and some important lessons about life. Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read chapter book!

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Rosie loves nothing more than spending her summers surfing while staying with her Aunt Hazel in Australia. But this summer, her cousin Flora is coming to visit, too, and Aunt Hazel wants Rosie to teach Flora how to surf. Trouble is, Flora has a history of being mean to Rosie, and it doesn’t take long to figure out that Flora hasn’t changed one bit. Can Rosie set aside her hard feelings and teach her cousin to ride the waves? Or will this shake-up to Rosie’s summer of surfing lead to a wicked wipeout? Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read chapter book!

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Nita and Sohail are thrilled when they win scholarships to attend the Alaska Young Explorers program. Both kids could use the prize money to help their families and set out to compete as hard as they can. But things take a turn when they're paired up on an expedition. The two make a misstep while hiking down a glacier and find themselves in dangerous territory. Nita and Sohail will have to depend on each other and learn to work together ... if they want to survive the Alaskan wilderness.

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Jasmine Lopez and her brother Arjun love exploring the coral reefs around Fiji, where their marine biologist parents are stationed. Jasmine, already a certified scuba diver, dreams of following in her parents' footsteps and wants to help Arjun do the same. Unfortunately her younger brother is sure he already knows everything. That attitude gets them into danger when Arjun drifts too far from the group during a dive - and straight into a reef shark.

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On a summer holiday with his family, Marlon Keys is about to hike the Appalachian Trail in the USA. He isn't exactly thrilled about the trip – he'd rather play on his smartphone and connect with his friends back home. But when Marlon accidentally gets separated from the group on the hike, his "boring" holiday becomes an exercise in survival. Can Marlon find his way back to his family and camp safely, or will he remain lost on the trail?

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Twelve-year-old Carly has recently recovered from an illness and to celebrate, Carly, her older brother, Ajay, and her dad go on a climbing trip in the Rocky Mountains. Even though Carly tries to convince her family she is one hundred per cent better, her troubling bouts of tiredness give her away. When an unexpected injury forces Carly and Ajay back down the mountain, Carly’s health is put to the ultimate test.

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Hank Watson enjoys helping his basketball team win big games. However, his true passion is cooking. Hank doesn't tell his team that he likes to cook because he's afraid they'll make fun of him. When an opportunity arises to meet celebrity chef Brenton Spooner, Hank jumps at the chance. But while practising a difficult dish to impress his idol, he accidentally burns his hand. The injury isn't serious, but it affects his performance both on the court and in the kitchen. Despite the setback, Hank is determined to help his team achieve victory in the big game and meet his cooking hero in the process.

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Jae Cho isn’t very good at games. Whether it’s board games, card games or anything else, she usually doesn’t have much luck. But when she watches her brother, Dal, playing Castle Crusaders 5, she’s fascinated by the strategy of destroying the opponent’s forces and taking out the enemy’s castle. When Dal rushes off and leaves the game running on his computer, Jae can’t resist the temptation to try playing for herself. Before long she’s hooked on the game and secretly playing against others on her brother’s computer whenever she can. However, she soon realizes that she’s accidentally entered an online esports competition in her brother’s name! Will Dal be angry that Jae has been using his computer and played as him in the qualifying round? Or will he help his little sister dominate the competition at the tournament?

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As much as he would like to, Iako can’t play American football. Being in a wheelchair keeps him from hitting the real gridiron. However, Iako makes up for it by being a whizz at his favourite video game, American Football Blitz: Turbo. When his friends tell him he should play at a local esports tournament, Iako is hesitant. He doesn’t think he’s that good, and he doesn’t like crowds. But when Iako plays a pickup game and beats the current AFB:T champion, he endures a lot of insults from the sore loser. With the support of his friends, Iako decides to enter the tournament to prove he can compete as well as anyone else. Will Iako’s skills help him defeat the current champ again and claim the title?

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Maisie loves pitching for her softball team, so she’s crushed when she has to move halfway across the country to live with her dad. Upset about the move and her parents’ divorce, Maisie isn’t thrilled when her dad asks her to join his curling team. She thinks it’s a strange sport. But as she learns more about curling, and how much her dad loves it, she begins to have a change of heart. But when its crunch time for the team, will Maisie be able to take charge and lead? Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read chapter book!

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Toby Brandt would rather be hitting jump shots than doing chores on his Grandpa’s farm. But he’s about to learn a new appreciation for the great outdoors. His cousin Chloe and her friends soon convince Toby to join them on their nature runs. Before long, he learns to enjoy running with them through the woods and navigating their homemade obstacle course. However, when they tell Toby about the upcoming Wild Run, he doesn’t want to risk getting hurt and letting down his friends. Will Toby overcome his fears and help his team win the biggest, sloppiest mud race around?

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Antonia is a great gamer. She’s especially skilled at her favourite game called Mobius Bridge. She’s a fierce fighter and can quickly knock enemies out of the game. Together with her esports teammates, they usually dominate other teams at the multiplayer online battle arena tournaments. When a new and inexperienced teammate joins them, Antonia volunteers to play a different role than she’s used to. She quickly discovers that her new role is much more difficult than she expected. Will she learn how to play the game differently to avoid getting KO’d and help her team win at the next tournament?

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Eager to follow in his father's footsteps, Ramon Hill wants nothing more than to be a starting attacker on his lacrosse team. But his dreams don't go as planned, and he's moved to a different position. Playing as a midfielder lets Ramon put his skills and talent to best use, but he can't help but feel disappointed. Will his new position lead to bigger and better things for him and his team?

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Alejandro is a new high school American football quarterback with big shoes to fill - his brother's. But none of the plays that worked for his brother seem to be working for him. With Coach J threatening to bench him, Alejandro has to come up with something good fast. His sister Izzy just might be the secret weapon he needs! Combining exciting sports stories and a diiverse cast of characters with a dynamic graphic novel format, this fast-paced tale of sportsmanship and teamwork comes to life in a full-colour graphic novel. Supportive back matter, including comprehension questions, writing prompts and non-fiction sports info, helps young readers and sports enthusiasts step up their game.

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