Grades 6 and 7
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
12-year old Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the basketball court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood. Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.
Fast Pitch by Nic Stone
Shenice Lockwood dreams of leading the Fulton Firebirds to the U12 softball regional championship. But Shenice's focus gets shaken when her great-uncle Jack reveals that a career-ending-and family-name-ruining-crime may have been a setup. It's up to Shenice to discover the truth about her family's past-and fast-before secrets take the Firebirds out of the game forever.
Track series by Jason Reynolds
Ghost. Patina. Sunny. Lu. A fast but fiery group of kids from wildly different backgrounds, chosen to compete on an elite track team. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.
Tumble by Celia C. Pérez
Before she decides whether to accept her stepfather's proposal of adoption, twelve-year-old Adela Ramírez reaches out to her estranged biological father - who is in the midst of a career comeback as a luchador - and the eccentric extended family of wrestlers she has never met, bringing Adela closer to understanding the expansive definition of family.
Will on the Inside by Andrew Eliopulos
Will loves playing center midfield on his middle school soccer team. This year, though, Will hasn't felt like himself: his stomach has been bothering him, and he has no energy at all. When his new doctor diagnoses him with Crohn's disease, Will hopes that means he'll start feeling better soon and he can get back to playing with his team before the season ends. But Will's new medicines come with all kinds of side effects, and his body needs to heal before he can get back out on the field. Forced to sit out afternoon practice, Will finds himself hanging out with a kid at school, Griffin. This could be a real problem, seeing as Griffin just asked Will's best friend to the spring dance. As in, guy friend. What would Will's teammates say if they knew the whole story? Not to mention Will's friends at church. With all these changes happening faster than he can process them, Will knows that he has a lot to figure out who he really is on the inside.
Grades 7 and 8
After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay
Told from alternating perspectives, Bunny takes a basketball scholarship to an elite private school to help his family, leaving behind Nasir, his best friend, in their tough Philadelphia neighborhood.
Rez Ball by Byron Graves
When the varsity basketball team members take him under their wing, Tre Brun, representing his Ojibwe reservation, steps into his late brother's shoes as star player but soon learns he can't mess up--not on the court, not in school and not in love.
Game Changer by Tom Greenwald
While thirteen-year-old Teddy fights for his life after a football injury at training camp, his friends and family gather to support him and discuss events leading to his coma. Told through dialogue, text messages, newspaper articles, transcripts, an online forum, and Teddy's inner thoughts.
KNEEL by Candace Buford
When his best friend is unfairly arrested and kicked off the team, Russell Boudreaux kneels during the national anthem in an effort to fight for justice and, in an instant, falls from local stardom to become a target of hatred.
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons
A transgender athlete must decide between fighting for his right to play on the boys' soccer team and staying stealth.