New to football, Manny knows that he has to make up for his size if he wants to succeed on the field. He might be small, but he's fast. He's confident that if the coach gives him a chance, he'll shine. When he takes the field, however, his skills fall flat, and he's removed from the kickoff team. Can Manny pull it together and become the football player he wants to be? Or is he destined to sit on the sidelines? Football fans will appreciate this title for the action on the field, and anyone who has ever struggled to develop a new skill will see themselves in Manny's efforts. This is the first book in the Winning Season series.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 1/7/2010

ISBN-10: 0670059404

ISBN-13: 9780670059409

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After a humiliating play where Josh freezes when the ball comes towards him and his baseball team loses, his teammates start calling him 'Roots,' like he's a tree that's put down roots and cannot be moved. At the next game, they trick him into missing most of the game, and when he plays, he messes up again. At the end of the game, the team refuses to play again if Josh will be there, chanting 'Boot the Root!' When the chance to move to be with his father in Wisconsin for the year comes, Josh jumps at the chance to escape. He is just as miserable, though, with his new stepfamily at the lake. Then, he meets the mysterious man living next door, and he gets the chance to turn it all around.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 11/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0395451841

ISBN-13: 9780395451847

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Last season, Rocky was the best catcher in the league, and he has a reputation for never giving up on a goal. Life throws him a curveball when a runner slides towards home and breaks Rocky's arm when Rocky tries to tag him. Rocky's arm finally heals, and he's excited to play ball again. Then, he discovers that though his arm is no longer broken, his reflexes are against him. For the life of him, he can't make his arm tag a player: it flinches away on its own whenever someone comes sliding towards home. He's afraid of injuring himself again, and the rival teams take advantage of it. Will Rocky be able to overcome his fear, or will his dream of being on the all-star team be the first goal he gives up for good?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 9/30/2010

ISBN-10: 1596432462

ISBN-13: 9781596432468

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Rob Montgomery is the star of the football team, and everyone knows it. Even Kevin, the second string quarterback, knows he could never come close to equaling Rob's talent. When Rob is injured and out for the season, Kevin's chance has come. How will he ever fill Rob's shoes, especially when everyone is hoping for a championship win this season? Can he prove that he can be more than just a second stringer?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 7/30/2009

ISBN-10: 0688159818

ISBN-13: 9780688159818

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Kevin Boland has a secret. Sure, he loves to play baseball. He even hopes to turn pro someday. His secret is that he also loves to write poetry, but not the mushy, boring kind. Usually, his poems do not even rhyme. He keeps them in a journal and they tell of his every-day experiences. His girlfriend, Mira, doesn't really understand. Kevin's dilemma is that he has met a girl, Amy, who shares his love of poetry and even enjoys sharing her poems with him. Kevin isn't sure that he doesn't prefer Amy's company to Mira's. This sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleaup is a great story of a middle school boy's introduction to the riddle of girls. Kevin's love of poetry is infectious.

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 7/21/2011

ISBN-10: 0763644358

ISBN-13: 9780763644352

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