Madcat Kathy Mackel

Madcat by Kathy Mackel 12yr old MadCat (given name Madelyn Catherine Campione), is the catcher for the Sting. The team is pretty good, this year they are going national. Its no longer about just having fun but winning and getting to the Softball Wordseries. Several sting players have been cut to make room for better players. I really enjoyed Madcat. Mackel gives the reader a good sense of the pressure top tier players and teams face. Madcat is a wonderful character, her voice is strong and believable. Though she is one of the best catchers, she dreams of getting some of the glory and pitching in the circle. The action on the field is described very well. Mackel takes the time to developed several secondary characters. Jess, Madcat's best friend and pitcher. She is determined to stay the number one pitcher. Blair, the new ace pitcher. She quiet, shy and naturally gifted. Mugger, though cut from the team she doesn't give up softball. Ivy, another catcher though competing for the same position, Madcat and Ivy become friends. One of the strengths of this book is Madcat's voice and her relationships with her teammates. Ages 10up

Dragonbreath Ursula Vernon

Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon - This was so much fun, I think Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans will love it. Danny Dragonbreath is the only mythical creature at a school of reptiles and amphibians. Danny wants to make his parents proud and learn how to breath fire. He takes his father's advice, and thinks hot thoughts while practicing. Danny is being bullied at school by big Eddy, a komodo dragon. His best friend is Wendell, an iguana. Danny and Wendell, make a great friendship duo. Their verbal give n take is funny and smart. Danny always acts without thinking, taking Wendell, who is a good sport with him. Danny must do a book report on the sea, instead of going to the library, he visits his cousin Edward a sea serpent. Edward gives Danny and Wendell a tour of the ocean. Vernon easily incorporates ocean facts, sharing some very cool ones like when sea cucumbers get nervous they throw their guts at the enemy. Dragonbreath alternates between comic and text format, making this a wonderful choice for reluctant readers. When the sea serpent spits out his guts, Wendell is the unlucky recipient. This part is in comic form, so readers can see the look of disgust on Wendell's face and Danny laughing at his best friend. Danny and Wendell have a great time in the ocean, though there is an incident with a giant squid. I loved Vernon's writing, it was fast, fun, quick and smart. I highly recommand Dragonbreath. Ages 9up
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Sacred Moutain Everest Christine Taylor-Butler

Sacred Mountain Everest by Christine Taylor-Butler Many books, fiction and non fiction have been written on those who have climbed Everest but few on the people who call it home This book is fact filled from the first page. Beginning with the religion of Sherpa's (Buddhist), give a straight forward approach to their way of life, beliefs and customs. The photographs are wonderful. (I always thought I knew what a yak looked like. They are so much bigger) The photographs range anywhere from big, bright and bold or calm and sincere. The photographs, timelines, maps, and side facts in color give this book a lot of visual appeal. Butler gives a great overall history of Mt. Everest, including how it was formed and the challenges the first climbers faced. This is a wonderful book about the Sherpa people and Everest, their sacred mountain. I highly recommand Sacred Moutain Everest. It would work nicely with Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea Young Readers Edition (My review) Ages 6up

click over, to read an excerpt and more reviews inculding a kirkus and horn book magazine review

Pretty Tough Liz Tigelaar

PrettyTough by Liz Tigelaar - Sisters, Charlie and Kirsta don't get along so well. After an incident in the high school cafeteria, Charlie decided to distance herself from her older sister. Charlie gave up soccer for surfing. Krista is going into her senior year, and is one of the better soccer players. There is a new soccer coach this year, and she recruits Charlie. At first Charlie joins the team, to get on her sisters nerves but she soon likes being about of the team. I really enjoyed Pretty Tough. There were one or two pop culture references that dated the book, (pubs 2007) but not enough to take away from enjoyment. The telling alternates between the two sisters. The soccer action on the field was excellent. Pretty Tough is a wonderful sports book. Girls who play soccer will love. Charlie and Kirsta are both three dimensional characters, many girls will be able to relate to one or both sisters. So girls who have never touched a soccer ball will enjoy it as well. Ages 11up

Boost Kathy Mackel

Boost by Kathy Mackel I was very happy I finally got my hands on this and I was not disappointed. 13yr old Savvy is six foot two and a skilled basketball player. Her older sister, Callie is a cheerleader. Savvy's family are forced to move in with aunt Betty in Rhode Island. They lost everything in New Mexico and must start over. The book begins with Savvy trying out for the 16U basketball league. At the tryouts Savvy meets Gonzo, another great player. Gonzo convinces Savvy to go out for the 18U league. The two make the squad and are the youngest on the team. Savvy is a natural but is at a disadvantage size wise. To remain in the game Savvy must get bigger and stronger. She is committed to training and improving her game. Savvy's aunt Betty keeps a sheep farm. She takes on the responsibility of caring for the sheep and keeping the coyotes away when aunt Betty is injured. Savvy reminds me a lot of DJ from Dairy Queen. Like DJ, Savvy, loves her game and will do anything to help her family in tough times, even if it means doing more than what's fair. Also, they both have the same workout regime, farm fitness. Boost is a well rounded story, Mackel doesn't limit it to the basketball court. Savvy has her eye on Marc, an older football player. At school she must deal with all the jokes and stares that go along with being 6 foot 2, in the 8th grade. Her father is starting a life outside of sports. Callie is living with the guilt of ending her father's career and trying to lose weight for cheerleading. As the 18U season continues, Savvy's game gets better, she soon starting. Mackel writes a great game, its easy to see the action on the court. After beating a rival team, pills are found in Savvy's gym bag, and the whispers of steriod use begins. I felt Savvy's fear, confusion and anger at this accusation. Boost was a wonderful read. I highly recommend it, especially for fans of Murdock's Dairy Queen series. Ages 11up