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9781598894141

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"Gr 4-8-These hi/lo books rely on typical sports fiction plots but stand out for their focus on unusual sports. In Board Rebel, Tanner finds himself ostracized when he and his family move to a planned community that doesn't allow skateboarding. In Go-Kart Rush, Tony struggles to keep up when he finds himself the youngest kart racer in a new division. Both stories are written at a second- or third-grade reading level but involve middle grade protagonists and problems-pursuing one's interests and fitting in. In both cases, the boys' dedication and skill earn them friends who help them resolve their issues. The writing, featuring plenty of sports action and dialogue, is surprisingly engaging, especially considering the constraints of a lower reading level. Each book utilizes the language of the sport at hand. Potentially unfamiliar terms are clearly defined in the backmatter; Go-Kart Rush even includes diagrams. Tiffany's cartoon illustrations have an edge of manga flair. They're eye-catching and support the story, although older readers may think they're a bit too young. The discussion questions and writing prompts at the end of the books add to their appeal for teachers and tutors who work with struggling readers.-- ""School Library Journal"""

Gr 4-8-These hi/lo books rely on typical sports fiction plots but stand out for their focus on unusual sports. In Board Rebel, Tanner finds himself ostracized when he and his family move to a planned community that doesn't allow skateboarding. In Go-Kart Rush, Tony struggles to keep up when he finds himself the youngest kart racer in a new division. Both stories are written at a second- or third-grade reading level but involve middle grade protagonists and problems-pursuing one's interests and fitting in. In both cases, the boys' dedication and skill earn them friends who help them resolve their issues. The writing, featuring plenty of sports action and dialogue, is surprisingly engaging, especially considering the constraints of a lower reading level. Each book utilizes the language of the sport at hand. Potentially unfamiliar terms are clearly defined in the backmatter; Go-Kart Rush even includes diagrams. Tiffany's cartoon illustrations have an edge of manga flair. They're eye-catching and support the story, although older readers may think they're a bit too young. The discussion questions and writing prompts at the end of the books add to their appeal for teachers and tutors who work with struggling readers.-- School Library Journal

Author Information

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. Sean Tiffany has worked as an illustrator for more than twenty-five years. He has illustrated more than sixty children's books for Capstone and has been an instructor at the famed Joe Kubert School in northern New Jersey. He mixes his love of comics, art, and rock and roll in the multimedia project OilCan Drive. Raised on a small island off the coast of Maine, Sean now resides in Boulder, Colorado with his wife, Monika, their son, James, and a house full of entirely too many guitars.

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