Overview

Sam's grandfather, Pops, always taught Sam that the most important aspects of rugby are sportsmanship and teamwork. Things are not great at home, but Sam's struggles really begin when his school is shut down and he transfers to Rosedale Heights. He has trouble fitting in with the snobby Rosedale team, especially Bittner, who resents Sam's presence. All seems lost when, set up by Bittner, Sam gets kicked off the team under suspicion of stealing. Can Sam prove his innocence and get back in play for the highly anticipated England game? And can he play the kind of rugby that will make Pops proud? Find out in this gripping high/low middle grade sports story. Distributed in the U.S by Lerner Publishing Group.

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9781459414921

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The athletes in these stories must overcome setbacks to succeed. In The Comeback, Chris's psychologist suggests he try playing soccer to help with his depression. When stigma around his mental health threatens to derail the team, Chris learns that honesty is the best policy. After Mo's baseball team gets bumped up to a harder league in Easy Out, he must deal with the unrealistic expectations of his father, a former baseball legend. In Rugby Rivals, Sam gets transferred to elite Rosedale Heights to play rugby. At school, he is bullied by snobby teammates, while at home his Pop is living with dementia. Spindly Ed may not seem like he's built for football in Long Bomb, but he works to garner the respect of the standoffish quarterback after he gains a spot as a receiver on the team. VERDICT The in-depth game play will attract sports fans in these titles written between a second and third grade reading level. The books also skillfully take on relevant issues including racial discrimination, economic disparities, and mental illness.--School Library Journal -- Journal

Author Information

MIKE LEVITT has played, coached, and refereed high school rugby. He wrote the curriculum for his school district's grade 11 rugby course, had a newspaper column in the Williams Lake Tribune, and has had short stories published in British Columbia Magazine. This is his first sports novel. He lives in Kamloops, British Columbia.

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