Ready Player Onemeets the action of battle royale video games in this middle-grade sci-fi perfect for fans ofFortnite. In twelve-year-old Reyna Cheng's world, gaming is everything. Professional esports teams are the mainstream celebrities. Kids begin training from a young age, aspiring for the big leagues. Reyna is the up-and-coming junior amateur Dayhold gamer, competing in a VR battle royale against AI monsters and human players. But despite Reyna's rising popularity and skills, no one knows who she is. Gaming is still a boys' club and to protect herself against trolls and their harassment, she games the mysterious TheRuiNar. When Reyna qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament, she knows she's got what it takes to win the championship title and the $10,000 prize. It's a chance to make a step forward towards her professional esports dreams and to help her family with the costs of her mother's hospital bills. But when she's blackmailed and threatened to be doxed by an anonymous troll, Reyna has to confront the toxic gaming community head-on. With her dreams and the cash prize on the line, it's game on!

Tanita S. Davis, author of Partly Cloudy and Serena Says, has written another funny, warm story featuring middle school and family life—all about the complex calculations it takes for everyone to balance the equations of their lives and what it takes to be part of a team while handling a learning disability. This middle grade novel is perfect for fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and A Good Kind of Trouble. Seventh grader Henrietta Weldon gets to switch schools—finally! She’ll be “mainstreaming� into public school, leaving her special education school behind. She can’t wait for her new schedule, new friends, and new classes. Henri’s dyscalculia, a learning disability that makes math challenging to process and understand, is what she expects to give her problems. What she doesn’t expect is a family feud with her sister over her new friends, joining the girls’ soccer team, and discovering poetry. Henri’s tutor and new friend, Vinnie, reminds her to take it slow. One problem at a time. If Henri Weldon has twenty-four hours in a day, and she has two siblings who dislike her four new friends, two hours of soccer practice, seven hours of classes, and three hours of homework . . . she has: A.       No free time B.        No idea how to make everyone happy C.        No time to figure it out, Henri Weldon!

Connor Sullivan is too humble to admit it, but he's the Orioles' best player, an all-star shortstop and a beast of a clean-up hitter. The Orioles are thankful to have someone with his skill, dedication, and good nature on their Babe Ruth League team. Lately, though, he hasn't been so good natured. Maybe he's worried about things at home, or maybe he's just been working too hard--whatever the reason, his anger is out of control. When he strikes out or makes an error, he's a walking Mt. Vesuvius, slamming his batting helmet and throwing his glove. His opponents dub him "Psycho Sully." Even his best friend Jordy starts to avoid him. Coach Hammond is ready to bench him indefinitely.Then the sports editor of the school paper threatens to do a big story on his tantrums--complete with embarrassing photos. Will Connor be able to get his act together in time to help the team win the championship, or is he destined to become a champion chump on YouTube?
This story, loosely based on a challenge Cal Ripken, Jr. once faced, is filled with plenty of play-by-play action to keep baseball fans riveted.

Tom Gallagher is in a tight spot. The fate of the Dillontown team rests on the outcome of one baseball game, winner take all. If Tom's team loses, they lose their field too. But how can they possibly win? Just when everything seems hopeless, a mysterious boy named Cruz de la Cruz rides into town and claims to know the secret of hitting. Not to mention the secrets of Dante Del Gato, Dillontown's greatest hitter ever. Since he walked away from the game years ago, Del Gato hasn't spoken a word to anyone. But now he might be Tom's only hope for saving his hometown. From the award-winning author of "Over the Wall" and "Choosing Up Sides" comes this imaginative tale of one boy's struggle to preserve the spirit of the game he loves.

Magic meets football in this fun-filled series from legendary footballer Frank Lampard, for readers aged 5 and up. Frankie and his team love playing football. There's always time for a game - especially during the summer holidays! So Frankie and his friends can't believe it when the magic football sends them back in time to a boarding school . . . they're supposed to be on holiday! But there they meet George - the previous owner of their magic football. His brother got lost when they were on a desert island adventure. Can Frankie help to find him - and some buried treasure?

Sisters Maddie and Jess are new to the football school. They bicker all the time, they never agree and they constantly try to score points against one another. Steve and Esther are keen to get the girls working together, and it's an uphill struggle. But the airfield has other ideas...Maddie and Jess wake up in twin Typhoon fighters and must learn to cover each other's backs. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+

From U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera comes the powerful journey of Chicano teen Lucky Z. A former skateboarder who's anything but lucky, he finds triumph and power through his voice. Raw, cool, real-this novel in verse is a shout-out to teens to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, to raise their voice and find strength in the sheer and simple power of expression. Lucky Z has always lived on the edge-he loved to skateboard, to drag race, to feel alive. But things have taken a turn-he's living with new foster parents and a tragic past. An accident changed everything. And only his voice will set him free. As you feel Lucky breathe in life again, you will want to shout out with him.

The first in a fantastically fun, magical cycling adventure series from Sir Chris Hoy. Fergus Hamilton is a boy with a big imagination. Living with his mum and grandad and his dog, Chimp, he dreams of a state-of-the-art Sullivan Swift and becoming the most brilliant boy cyclist in the world. So when he gets a rusty second-hand bike for his ninth birthday he can't help feeling a bit disappointed. But then he discovers something amazing when he takes it for a ride. . . Written with award-winning author Joanna Nadin, with fantastic illustrations from Clare Elsom. "Champion cyclist Chris Hoy breathes his passion for cycling into this entertaining and imaginative adventure about an ordinary boy and his big cycling dreams." The Guardian

When Frankie and his friends go to a kung fu lesson to improve their football skills, a giant Chinese puppet magically transports them to the gates of The Forbidden City. The team soon learn that an ancient warrior called Zha-Hu is planning to destroy the Great Wall of China, with help from his dragon and an army of terracotta animals. Can Frankie and his team break the dragon curse in time to stop him?

Go behind the scenes of world's biggest and most exhilarating action sports showcase - Nitro Circus. Born in a garage in Utah with just a video camera and some extraordinary, dare-devil stunts, Nitro Circus has exploded to become the world's biggest producer of action sports entertainment, including television shows and show-stopping, adrenaline-charged live events. Nitro Circus's crew of top action-sports athletes attempt the best and boldest tricks in motocross, BMX, scooter, skating and dirt biking, including record-breaking feats and, often, epic spills - there are no limits! From biographies of top athletes and tales of the most astonishing sporting skills, to the story of how it all started, this is the tell-all, must-have guide for every action sports fan. With stunning photography and behind-the-scenes guides, you will find tips and tricks straight from the legends themselves, including founder and action sports legend Travis Pastrana. So sit back and immerse yourself in the world's most exhilarating, extreme, show-stopping sports!

When Carmen spots a mysterious surfer, she can't wait to try surfing herself. But after a few wipeouts, she's wishing she was back on the basketball court. Can the mystery girl get her to try again?

Who do you fight when your worst enemy is yourself? Bo's kept a tight lid on her emotions ever since her dad died. When she takes up boxing, she discovers it's a good outlet for her feelings. But when someone she trusts takes advantage, Bo finds her emotions getting out of control. Can she tell anyone why she lashes out, or will her temper mean she misses her big fight? Between the Lines II is a series of eight brand new titles that will capture the interest and imaginations of teenage readers. These texts have a range of settings - from sports clubs and schools to unfamiliar and chilling visions of the future - and they have been written by experienced authors who are experts in developing stories for struggling readers. Mature themes are covered and include the dangers of internet chat rooms, crime, grief, female empowerment, friendship, bullying and dystopian futures. With eye-catching covers and the look and feel of a real novel, these books perfectly combine visual appeal with carefully chosen content that is both compelling and relevant for teenagers and young adults.

Fifteen-year-old Cal Deane has a chance to make it as a professional footballer. To get there, he'll have to cope with the loss of his mum and a group of racists. For Cal, the battles off the pitch are far more challenging than any game of football. Between the Lines II is a series of eight brand new titles that will capture the interest and imaginations of teenage readers. These texts have a range of settings - from sports clubs and schools to unfamiliar and chilling visions of the future - and they have been written by experienced authors who are experts in developing stories for struggling readers. Mature themes are covered and include the dangers of internet chat rooms, crime, grief, female empowerment, friendship, bullying and dystopian futures. With eye-catching covers and the look and feel of a real novel, these books perfectly combine visual appeal with carefully chosen content that is both compelling and relevant for teenagers and young adults.

The youngest expedition ever to attempt to climb Mt. Everest has begun--but trouble starts long before they reach the summit. Reissue.

New York Times bestselling author and former NFL defensive end Tim Green encourages readers to fight for their dreams in this heartfelt story about a young football star grappling with the stress of living up to his father's name. Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica! Danny Owens is dedicating his seventh-grade season to his Super Bowl champion father, who recently passed away. Danny promises everyone that, just like his dad, he'll dominate the big game at the end of the season and earn a spot on the high school varsity team. Then his English teacher catches him cheating on a test. Even though Danny can retake it, he knows there's no point. He can't read. And if Danny can't pass this class, he won't be eligible to play in the championship game that could unlock his future. While his resentment rises against the only person willing to help him win off the field, the pressure to succeed begins to weigh heavily on Danny's shoulders. Danny is being tested on every level now, and to pass, he may very well have to choose a different path from his father's.

Mickey has no cricket kit and his mom, a single parent, cannot afford a new one. He goes reluctantly to a charity shop where he buys a second-hand kit.

The charity shop owner suggests that the initials ‘JK’ on the bat mean that the bat belonged to Jacques Kallis. Mickey finds that he plays extraordinarily well with this bat and begins to believe that it is a ‘magic’ bat.

The coach wants to take Mickey to the district trials where he’ll be the youngest player. But disaster strikes when Mickey leaves his bat behind by mistake: he has to face playing without his magic bat.

MML 2017 Literature Award Winner.