The next book in the #1 New York Times best-selling Epoca series from Kobe Bryant and Ivy Claire. As Pretia, the Princess of Epoca, prepares to return to Ecrof, the elite magical sports academy, she is focused on the most important part of her upcoming year: the Junior Epic Games. She knows that her destiny is to rule Epoca, but right now, all she wants is to be selected for the Junior Epic team so that she can compete against the best young athletes in Epoca and bring honor to her people. But as rumors begin to swirl about unrest surrounding the Games, Pretia realizes that winning might not be as simple as being the best athlete she can be. She might have to decide which is more important: being an athlete or being a leader. Pretia's best friend, Rovi, is ecstatic when he hears that the Junior Epic Games will be held in Phoenis, where he lived before attending Ecrof. True, his time in Phoenis wasn't ideal-he'd lived on the streets as a Star Stealer, part of a gang of kids who stole what they needed to survive-but he'd found a home there. He's excited to return as a Dreamer, an athlete at the top of his game. But all is not well with the Star Stealers. Rovi's old friends are being blamed for the unrest surrounding the Games, even though he's sure they have nothing to do with it. Now that he's back in Phoenis, Rovi is faced with a difficult question: Is he a Dreamer or a Star Stealer? Can he be both? As tensions mount, Pretia and Rovi, along with their friend Vera, find themselves in a race to save the Star Stealers. And they begin to understand that if anyone is going to make a new future for Epoca, it just might be them.

The second, highly anticipated novel from Carnegie-shortlisted author Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. Come on a journey across the rural American West . . . Meet the teenagers who live in the small towns across these states, separated by distance, but whose stories are woven together in the most unexpected of ways. Whether they are brought together by the spread of wildfire, by the priest who's moved from state to state or by the hunt for a missing child, these incredible tales blaze with secrets, rage and love. A novel like no other, this intricate, intense and beautiful book will take your breath away. 'A clever and unusual novel . . . powerful.' Sally Nicholls 'Gorgeous and compelling . . . breathtaking.' Katherine Webber 'A beautiful literary writer.' The Bookseller 'It's cut like a gemstone. Turn the pages, and facets gleam.' Hiliary McKay 'Beautifully observed and deeply satisfying.' Lisa Williamson 'Breathes life into wonderful, complex characters.' Lisa Heathfield 'A heartbreakingly brilliant tangle of teenage voices.' Judith Eagle Content warning: child abuse, arson, bereavement, addiction

Another graphic novel in this fresh and fun series spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy's little stepsister! It's going to be a great weekend! Karen has new roller skates and is a very good skater. She's looking forward to trying some new tricks. But, oh no! Karen falls down and has to go to the hospital. Her wrist is broken!Karen is determined to get everyone she knows -- plus someone famous -- to sign her cast. It isn't going to be easy, but she won't give up until the job is done.

"Refreshingly voice-y, wildly smart, and genuinely hilarious." - Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue Emilia Romero is living a double life. By day, she's a field hockey star with a flawless report card. But by night, she's kicking virtual ass as the only female member of a highly competitive eSports team. Emilia has mastered the art of keeping her two worlds thriving, which hinges on them staying completely separate. That's in part to keep her real-life persona, but also for her own safety, since girl gamers are often threatened and harassed. When a major eSports tournament comes to her city, Emilia is determined to prove herself to her team and the male-dominated gaming community. But her perfectly balanced life is thrown for a loop when a member of a rival team recognizes her . . . Jake Hooper has had a crush on Emilia since he was ten years old. When his underdog eSports team makes it into the tournament, he's floored to discover she's been leading a double life. The fates bring Jake and Emilia together as they work to keep her secret, even as the pressures of the tournament and their non-gaming world threaten to pull everything apart. Debut author Alexis Nedd has crafted a YA combo-punch of charming romance and virtual adventure that will win the hearts of gamers and non-gamers alike.

Winner of the Telegraph Sports Book Awards Children's Book of the Year Small, skinny and short-sighted . . . and dazzlingly talented. Jimmy Joseph loves rugby. All he dreams about is one day playing for his country in a World Cup, or winning a Test series for the Lions with a last-minute drop-goal. But when he kicks an up-and-under in the schoolyard and accidentally hits the new head of PE, Mr Kane, on the head, he makes a powerful enemy. Jimmy and his best friends - Manu, Scott and Kitty - try to prove their worth on the rugby field, but to no avail. Mr Kane has it out for them, and he's being helped by team captain Mike Green, well known as the school bully. Can Jimmy and his friends overcome the tyranny of Mr Kane and help Mike see the error of his ways? Or will the combination of bullying, pressure and dirty tactics derail the friends' rugby careers before they have even begun? An epic new rugby series begins here!

Advance Praise For Heart of the Hide "Heart of the Hide is a story for all ages You can't help but root for the Kelsey Avenue Crew. You hope that Nicky Palmieri can figure things out. That telling the truth in the long run is much easier than lying. Most likely you'll be reading with moist eyes and tissue in hand." "And when you close the book and reflect on your childhood experiences and friends you can't help but root that Heart of the Hide finds a national audience." Award-winning sports columnist, Corky Blake, Easton Express-Times "A timeless story for all of us baseball people, young and old." WFAN Sports Radio 660 AM Talk Show Host, Rick Wolff Growing up in West Haven, "Heart of the Hide" brought back many fond memories. I think of the friendly rivalries, the competition, spending countless days at the ball fields, and most importantly, the lifelong relationships that helped to make me the person that I am today. Great Book.
Neil C. Cavallaro, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, West Haven Public Schools

Every young person who loves baseball should read "Heart of the Hide," every coach no matter at what level should read this book. Everyone who enjoys a book that deals with the courage it takes to succeed in life should read this book. I can't wait until my grandsons are old enough to read this wonderful book.
Ed Waters, former New York Yankees' farmhand and Florida's High School Baseball Hall of Fame coach, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Please visit loupetrucci.com to learn more about the character in Heart of the Hide.

Tibs Tabane en sy vriend Elroy is MAL oor sokker. Hulle berei voor vir ’n belangrike sokkerwedstryd, maar hoekom hoor hulle die heeltyd ’n stem wat roep: “HONGER-R-R-R”?

Gaan Tibs en Elroy betyds die zombies kan keer wat dreig om die sokkerwedstryd te ontwrig?

A stand-out novel inspired by the incredible true stories of female football legends like Lily Parr and Alice Woods. They can take our ball, but they can never stop the game. Polly Nabb is no stranger to trouble. When her brother Joe is sent to serve in the trenches, all Polly wants is to kick a ball about and forget the war. Mam has other ideas, and makes her stay home to help with endless chores. But football is something Polly is prepared to fight for - it's her life! She's determined to do whatever it takes to fulfil her dream and show the world that football is not just for boys . . . The war years: a time of trailblazing female footballers, like the legendary Lily Parr, who played to sell-out crowds. Polly's dramatic wartime story celebrates those bold young players who changed attitudes to women on the pitch and salutes the unsung heroes on the Home Front too. 'Absolutely magnificent! A glorious tale of football, friendship, feminism and social history.' Emma Carroll 'A very entertaining and enjoyable read.' LoveReading4Schools 'A powerful story.' Sophie McKenzie 'A gripping read.' School Reading List

IT'S A ROCKY ROAD! Game Changer is the eighth book in the football-tastic Roy of the Rovers illustrated fiction series, and the second Rocky of the Rovers story. Part of the third season, this exciting series is written by award-winning author Tom Palmer. The newly formed Melchester Women's team are going from strength to strength in their first full season of professional football, lead by the tenacious Rocky Race. But behind the scenes, the morale of the club is low. After a shocking incident in a men's European game, and the recent Race family tragedy, Rocky, her brother Roy, and the whole club is struggling to deal with the aftermath. What's more, she's fighting with Ffion her friend! Can she maintain her match-winning performances? How is she supposed to deal with everything that's happened? And just where does her footballing future lie? Enjoyed this title? Pick up The GBP100 Million Game next to continue the story! Praise for the Roy of the Rovers series: EPIC! - Match of the Day Magazine I love the way that they are about so much more than football: they are about heart, values and family. Both graphic novel and fiction titles are compelling, engaging and a lot of fun. Lace up and get reading. - Jim Sells, Programme manager for Sport & Literacy, National Literacy Trust. Read with my 7 year old who is football mad, really enjoyed it and left us wanting to read the next one in the series! - GoodReads Review

New boy Smithy can't understand why everyone is so excited about a player on the football team called "Bengo." He's been absent for the first few games of the season and starts the next game on the bench, so surely he can't be that special? But when their coach pulls Smithy off and sends Bengo on in his place, Smithy gets a chance to see him in action. Bengo is easily the best player Smithy's ever seen, putting in perfect crosses and generally running the opposition ragged. So why is Bengo left on the bench so often, and why does he seem to bottle it when any strong tackles come his way? An engaging football story accompanied by fascinating facts about famous substitutes, from reluctant-reader favourite Alan Gibbons.

Sojo the sled dog is born into a hardworking, talented family and starts life as a happy, trusting, and confident dog. But her confidence rapidly wanes as she begins to understand how complicated and challenging it is to be a sled dog. She fears that she will never learn how to do the job and is overshadowed by her sister, Anna, who is very smart and confident and gets all the glory. Reluctantly, she accepts that she is destined to be a sled dog, undergoes training, and much to her surprise, makes the team. When explorer Pam Flowers and the team set out alone across the arctic, Sojo’s self-confidence and pride in her work slowly grow. By journey’s end, she comes to realize that she has made a valuable contribution to the success of the adventure and is respected as a sled dog. When she retires, Sojo is a contented dog who understands that doing your best and being supportive of friends and family is what is most important.

Marilyn Rose was a world champion figure skater. She was the best of the best, so when she had a daughter, much was expected of her. Vyria Rose was born to follow in her mother's footsteps?but she just can't seem to make the grade. She loves figure skating, but she has yet to turn in a winning performance. In frustration, her mother decides to take on a new student named Alice. Vyria, feeling rejected and jealous of her mother's new pupil, turns her focus to school and her grades. She misses figure skating, though, and she still dreams of doing something magical on the ice. Adventurous and brave, Vyria suddenly has a wild idea. Why not mix acrobatics with figure skating? She gets a team together, and they plan to be showstoppers. They?ll use a jump board and add gymnastics to their performances on the ice. Now only time will tell whether Vyria will grow into a future that will make her happy with herself and her own abilities.

#1 New York Times Bestseller A USA TODAY Bestseller A People Magazine pick Reggie has never felt destined for greatness. He dreams about basketball brilliance all day and night, but the hard truth is that he's a benchwarmer for the West Bottom Badgers, the worst team in the league. Even their mysterious new coach, Rolabi Wizenard, can't seem to help them end their losing streak. Reggie is willing to train tirelessly to improve his game, but the gym itself seems to be working against him in magical ways. Before Reggie can become the player he dreams of being, he must survive the extraordinary trials of practice. Basketball legend Kobe Bryant presents this illuminating follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestseller The Wizenard Series: Training Camp-a story of strain and sacrifice, supernatural breakthroughs, and supreme dedication to the game.