Cope Field by T.L. Simpson - OPTIONAL

Cope Field by T.L. Simpson, 272 pages. Flux 2025 $15.00 

Language: R (200+ swears 19 'f'); Mature Content: PG (some kissing); Violence: R (physical abuse, murder (described), injuries detailed) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Crawford is the star pitcher of his high school baseball team in Arkansas. Of course he is! His dad pitched for the Royals! But Craw is in trouble, he has anger management problems - brought on by abuse, and he has hit his dad in the head with a bat. Any other kid would have gone to juvie, but Craw's dad knows lawyers and the sheriff and the judge, so they were lenient. Craw has been sentenced to 300 hours of community service. This is where he meets Hannah, also serving community service. Craw has a lot going on at home, and a lot of secrets he's been keeping his whole life. Hannah likes to talk, she'd love to help Craw by getting him to talk too. 

Right from the beginning, I was into the story and on Craw's side. What would make a kid hit his father in the head with a bat, and why would the judge act like it was no big deal? Good sports action and a sweet love story. Lots of swears, there is violence against children but is mostly off page (the worst of it), except for a cold-blooded murder that is described. Worth addng to the Sports Fiction - baseball boys will love this. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian  

One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller - OPTIONAL

One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller, 336 pages. Levine Querido, 2025. $20. 

Language: R (100+ swears, 78 'f') includes coarse language about Grace's body and transition 

Mature Content: R (Making out, intimacy - touching and kissing, reference to sex - not on page, mentions of tucking, also teen drinking, vaping, marijuana, parties) Violence: PG13, (Bullying, both physical and verbal, football injuries (detailed, not gory or graphic), targeted onfield roughness, transphobic slurs.) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Grace is in her senior year of high school, and is a recently out trans girl. Last football season, she was the star kicker of the football team, and has been invited back by team members and one of the coaches as they can't find anyone with her skills. The coach hasn't bought in 100% and hopes that having the first trans girl player in the history of the state doesn't distract the team. But Grace is still navigating her new self, and everything is different, especially her relationship with her ex-girlfriend. 

I really liked the premise of One of the Boys. I loved that Grace's experiences weren't all bad, that the team, for the most part, was not only accepting, but encouraging and supportive. Yes, there were also horrible people, no surprise. A lot of football action, games, practices, scouts, all the good stuff. Much too mature for middle grade. 

Grace is white and trans 

Lisa Librarian  

Coach by Jason Reynolds - ADVISABLE

Coach (Track #5) by Jason Reynolds, 250 pages. Caitlyn Diouhy, Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $18. 

Language: (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (beer offered to MC, drug dealers and gang activity SC); Violence: PG (Adult gets nose broken) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Otie is an athlete - but he runs track, so he doesn't get the recognition at school like the football or basketball team players do. In fact, he's bullied. When a boy makes fun of Otie's hair during a talent show comedy routine, Otie tries to give himself a hair cut. Of course it's a disaster, starting the ball rolling of one bit of trouble after another. His father is gone a lot, he is always thinking about how he can build a time machine to more quickly get to the olympics he's so sure he'll be part of. But a pair of expensive shoes gifted to him, may just become his undoing. 

Set in 1985, Coach is about a childhood experience of Coach, mentor and trainer of Ghost, Lu, Patina and Sunny of the track team the Defenders.  I'm giving this a higher rating than I would if it were an independent novel. The "Ghost" series is so popular it's a necessity to purchase this one as readers will ask for it and read it. However, it didn't have the excitement, the danger, the engagement of the rest of the books in the series. I felt like I was missing something; should I have re-read Ghost or the others to better appreciate this sequel (prequel?)? I was not drawn in by Otie - I felt he was ordinary - I didn't care a lot about the character, and found the ending another example of things happening to the character that are out of his control, rather than experiencing consequences for his actions or lessons he could learn. And, if you didn't know it was part of the series, calling it Coach could make the reader think the title character is someone else. 

The characters are black. 

Lisa Librarian 

Danilo was Here by Tamika Burgess, - ADVISABLE

Danilo was Here by Tamika Burgess, 304 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $20. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (flashback to Danilo's experience during the Panama invasion) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Danilo is an amazing baseball player and has been the star of his team in Panama. He's been scouted by a coach who trains little league players in America and has invited him to come to San Diego and train with him for a couple of months. However, Danilo has been going through a lot lately; his neighborhood was hit during the US Panama invasion a few months earlier and now his mom and sister are living in tents on an airfield. His dad, a former ball player himself, has gone to America but has stopped sending money, or even calling. Danilo doesn't even like baseball anymore, but thinks this might be an opportunity to find his dad who lives in California, too. 

Burgess has infused just enough history about 1989 Panama for the reader to understand Danilo's situation without all the political stuff. The tension surrounding meeting his father as well as his difficulty connecting with the team and playing his best made for an engaging read. Not completely full of sports action although we see the goings on at a few games. Danilo is Panamanian 

Lisa Librarian 

All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis - SEVERAL

All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis, 384 pages. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2025. $20.

 

Language: R (85 swears 14 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG13 (bloody fight, police brutality, taunting, football violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

16yo Aiden wants to play on his brother's high school football team, and it's finally the year they can do it. 17yo Brandon is a senior and the number one recruit in the nation, but when Aiden, who is a good player, but also has autism, has an episode at tryouts, it looks like the boys won't get to play together after all. When a spot opens and Aiden does gets on the team, some of the other players are unhappy, and resent him because they think he's only playing because his brother is the star quarterback. At a team party after a win, one player picks a fight with Aiden, which turns into chaos, the police are called and several boys on the team are arrested. Including Brandon, who as far as Aiden remembers, wasn't involved. But the police say he assaulted an officer and resisted arrest. Aiden feels this is all his fault, and is desperate to clear his brother's name and save his future prospects. 

There's a lot going on in this engaging, heart wrenching, moving story. Davis hits on racism, social issues, high school football, the legal system, and being a child with autism. At one point he confronts his coach with honest questions and anger about how he has been treated by adults - differently because he's black? because he had autism? because of his brother? Those questions don't have a neat easy answer. A good mix of black and white players on the team, as well as a gay couple. A nice companion to Come Home Safe by Brian Buckmire. 

Aiden and Brandon are black, many of the team is too, most are white. 

Lisa Librarian  

Goalkeeper by Edward Bloor - ESSENTIAL

Goalkeeper (Tangerine #2) by Edward Bloor, 192 pages. Harper Collins, OCTOBER 2025. $20

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (physical threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Paul Fisher has finished his 7th grade year at a Catholic school, but is looking forward to going back to Tangerine Middle School for 8th grade and back to his soccer team. His older brother Erik is under house arrest, not for the death he caused, but for the burglaries. A so-called Christian sub shop owner has come to town and Paul’s dad has bought into the patter. Between drama on the soccer field, drama between friends, drama with Erik, and huge drama caused by the subshop, Paul’s life is topsy-turvy once again. 

It has been almost 20 years since Tangerine was published - it has always been a favorite of mine.  Even though it took so long, I am so happy with Bloor’s sequel! He juggles the multiple strands of the story that none of them feeling left out or overwhelming. I also want to point out that Bloor accomplished all of this in under 200 pages - great for reluctant readers.

The characters are mostly white, with some Latinx.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

On the Line by J.B. Duncan - ADVISABLE

On the Line (Hoops Academy) by J.B. Duncan, 104 pages. Darby Creek (Lerner), 2025. $12

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

9th grader Nadia has made the JV basketball team and is totally jazzed about that. She would be even more excited if she were doing better in algebra. Hoops Academy demands excellence on and off the court and if her grade drops below a B she can't play. Nadia doesn't seem to be the only one struggling with grades and someone on the team may be cheating, which could also keep Nadia from playing. 

Nice that the books aren't just about basketball. Nadia's situation is relatable and you find yourself rooting for her. Super quick read. Though it becomes fairly predictable, it's satisfying and you won't be sorry you picked it up. Race is not specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Numbers Game by J.B. Duncan - ADVISABLE

Numbers Game (Hoops Academy) by J.B. Duncan, 104 pages. Darby Creek (Lerner), 2025 $12 

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12th grader Kaita seems to have everything going her way at Hoops Academy. She is varsity team captain and finally gets to wear her lucky number on her jersey. Except that her jersey keeps disappearing, and soon, her team mates begin finding things missing from the locker room as well. Mistrust eats at the team, making it difficult to play. Kaita has to find out what's happening before their team implodes. 

Short and to the point. Books in this series alternate between male and female protagonists, and don't have to be read in consecutive order, though it may help a little. The story is quickly paced and has some positive vibes about getting along, teamwork, and seeing others' points of view. No race is specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Boxed Out by J.B. Duncan - ADVISABLE

Boxed Out (Hoops Academy) by J.B. Duncan, 104 pages. Darby Creek (Lerner), 2025. $12

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Murph and Mike are twins who have played basketball together all their lives. Mike makes the varsity team, while Murph is on the JV team. Murph is completely bugged by this and doesn't take his coach's guidance seriously. When Murph gets an unexpected opportunity to move up to varsity, he has to decide if he really has what it takes to make it. 

Short and sweet and high interest. This is a great hook for reluctant readers who like basketball. Murph is relatable, with his faults and dreams of glory, and the underlying messages of having to work and be a team player are a happy bonus. Race and culture are not specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Black Star by Kwame Alexander - ESSENTIAL

Black Star (Door of No Return #2) by Kwame Alexander, 384 pages. Little, Brown, 2024. $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (lynching mentioned) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

12yo Charlene (Charley) is good at baseball. She can pitch with both hands and hits well, too. But except for Cool Willie Green and Henry, called Socks, she doesn't have a team. Being black in the segregated south in the 1920s leaves her few options, so when the town bully challenges Charley and her "team" to a baseball game at the church picnic, Charley accepts, even though 3 kids aren't really a team. 

Black Star is the 2nd in Alexander's novel in verse trilogy, The Door of No Return. Kofi from the 1st book is now Charley's wise and beloved grandfather. I was on the edge of my seat for the last half of the book, loved Nana's stories and the glimpses of his history. Alexander now has a Basketball title (Crossover), a Soccer Title (Booked) and now this one about Baseball. An essential purchase, especially if you have The Door of No Return. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Right Call by Tommy Greenwald - ESSENTIAL

The Right Call by Tommy Greenwald, 253 pages. Abrams Amulet, 2025. $19.

Language:  G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (pushing ends up with umpire in coma)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Something has changed in 15yo Cal’s pitching and now he is attracting attention from powerful people. All that changes after his Dad injures the umpire in a fit of anger after a game.  Now, with his Dad in serious trouble, Cal has lost his love of the game.  Plus his coach’s incessant training has injured Cal’s throwing arm.  Cal wants to go back to the games that he has always loved, but doesn’t really see a path forward on his own.

Using police transcripts, text messages, news articles, among others, Greenwald again brings us right into the controversies around a sport culture that exploits children at earlier and earlier ages. He shines the light on the anger and competitiveness among parents of “superstar” athletes. I’m glad Greenwald is writing books that are about sports, but that also address them on a deeper level - 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Shadowed by Carl Deuker - OPTIONAL

Shadowed by Carl Deuker, 352 pages. Harper Collins, 2024. $19

Content: G (a death mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

15yo Nate and his neighbor across the street, Lucas, both love basketball, but they haven’t been friends since Nate said something disparaging about Lucas’s special needs sister. It isn’t until high school, when Nate decides to pursue basketball, instead of his family’s beloved soccer, that Nate reconnects with Lucas - but only outside of school.  Can Lucas’s fierceness on the court help Nate make-up for all the years he is behind in learning the game? As Nate tries to prove himself to his rival, Colin, Lucas gets caught in the crossfire.

Shadowed is deeper, slower roll of a book - more complicated than anything Deuker has written before. It does follow Nate through all four years of high school - diving deep, crafting heartbreak.  Some will not persist and find the heart of the book.  Those that do will find a gem.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Messi Mania by Luis Miguel Echegaray - ESSENTIAL

Messi Mania by Luis Miguel Echegaray, 160 pages. NON-FICTION Holler (Quarto), 2025. $16

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Sports reporter Echegaray gives an intimate feeling look into the life and career of soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Interestingly, he doesn’t follow Messi’s life in a linear manner - instead he mixes the chapters up a bit, which I enjoyed. Much better than a conventional biography.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson - ADVISABLE

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson, 192 pages. Highwater Press, 2024. $13

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G ; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Alex Robinson is 11yo and in 6th grade when his world is upended. He has to move from the rez to Winnipeg when his father gets a new job. Alex is worried he won't fit in. He is Indigenous, and even though he makes the hockey team, he faces racism he never had to face on the reservation.

This is book one of the Breakout Chronicles. The author is a member of Norway House Cree Nation, so he draws from experience. There is a nice balance between the racism issues and the plot. The hockey game descriptions are fast paced and realistic and even readers new to hockey will appreciate them. The print is small and the cover didn't do wonders for me, but readers will be well rewarded if they get past cosmetics. Alex is a member of Norway House Cree Nation.

Michelle in the Middle 

Keeper by Alan Gibbons - ADVISABLE

Keeper by Alan Gibbons, 76 pages. Middle Grade Union Square, 2024. $9 

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Shane is the new kid at the middle school. He is a talented soccer player but his temper makes him pretty intense. His father is almost unbearable at games, and Shane's teammates begin to worry that something may be really wrong in Shane's life. 

The book doesn't look like much because it's so short, and I was prepared not to like it. However it intersperses interesting facts about soccer into the story and the story brings up deeper themes of abuse and fitting in. The book is reader friendly and is high interest for reluctant readers. Race is never specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Shaken by James Preller - ESSENTIAL

Shaken by James Preller, 240 pages. Feiwel (Macmillan), 2024. $18

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Kristy may only be in middle school, she already plays on the high school’s varsity soccer team - and she is their first good hope to win the playoffs. A bad move and kick to the head later and Kristy can barely get out of bed, let alone face a soccer ball. No one seems to understand the state her concussion left her in - she can’t just shake it off and “get back out there”. Her teammates, her parents, most of the kids at school (when she can make it to school) are all putting pressure on her. Only her doctor and her psychologist are actually listening, it feels. 

Wow - Preller dissects another important issue.  If you haven’t read his YA works, you really should. And I not only have a lot of soccer girls at my school, but I remember a teacher who daughter played soccer and received a severe concussion several years ago and Preller feels like he talked to this mother and daughter to write this book! Would be great for any coach of any sport to read.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

We Are Big Time by Hena Khan and Safiya Zerrougui - ADVISABLE

We Are Big Time by Hena Khan, illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui, 234 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House, 2024. $14 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some name calling)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Just a couple of months into her freshman year, Aliya's family moves from Florida to Milwaukee to be closer to their grandparents. While she's excited to go to a Muslim school along with her two brothers, she is disappointed to leave her friends and her County Rec. basketball team. But she enrolls in the new school in time to tryout for their girl's team - they have a new coach who has plans to turn these girls into quality high school athletes. 

Girl's basketball - how fun with some nice ballgame action. The team was unique in that there aren't many Muslim girl's basketball teams. Their opponents underestimated them, but they still had to work very hard to become a good team. The family dynamics are fun, Dada talks about Kareen Abdul Jabar. 

Lisa Librarian 

Eyes on the Ice by Anna Rosner - OPTIONAL

Eyes on the Ice by Anna Rosner, 180 pages, Groundwood Books, 2024. $15.

Language: G (0 swear, 0 "F"); Mature Content: G; Violence:  PG (gun brandished, threats)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

In 1963 Czechoslavakia, 10yo Lukas and 12yo Denys are hockey mad. Though they don’t have the best equipment, their talent shines through.  They are offered places on a prestigious team – but in their Communist-controlled country, everything comes with a price. Then their father is arrested and they know that somehow, if their father returns to them they must escape.

Rosner takes some known historical facts of actual escapes to weave together her story. If you have a student who loves hockey and is also willing to read historical fiction, add this to your library.

Cindy, MS Library Teacher

Tryouts by Sarah Sax - ADVISABLE

Tryouts by Sarah Sax (The Brinkley Yearbooks #2), 286 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Knopf (Random House), 2024. $22 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

13yo Alexandra Olsen lives for baseball. She's played on little league teams forever, but has aged out. She wants to be on the middle school team but it's an all boy team. She tries out anyway. With a tenth consecutive championship on the line, her team isn't working together well at all. What's a girl to do? 

Ali is a great character. She's a go-getter and she really just wants to play. Her friends are doing different things at the middle school and this book is really a celebration of what makes students thrive, whether it is sports or something different. Great themes of friendship and that life is not all about winning or losing, but about people. I totally loved the unexpected ending. There is hope for middle schoolers with this book! Race or culture isn't mentioned. Ali has red hair and freckles and there are a variety of skin tones throughout the book. 

Michelle in the Middle 

True True by Don P. Hooper - OPTIONAL

True True by Don P. Hooper, 384 pages. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023. $17 

Language: PG-13 (67 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Subject matter. Smoking. Drinking); Violence: PG-13 (Bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

17yo Gil Powell lives in Brooklyn, NY. He is interested in robotics but there is no robotics program at his school. There is a private school in Manhattan that has an intense robotics program. Gil advocates for himself and gets accepted to Augustin Prep school and receives a scholarship. Also, Gil is a martial arts expert and participates in a neighborhood martial arts studio with local friends. Gil is targeted by a fellow student and "forced" to display his martial arts skills. He gets in trouble and is placed on probation. Other students of color at APS are isolated and they form a club and demonstrate against the inequalities at the prep school. Gil turns to the book The Art of War to devise a plan to keep his placement at APS. 

Gil is a likable character, and his work ethic is admirable. Some of the instances he has questionable ethics in his interpretation of what is allowable and not allowable. The angst between the neighborhood and friends and those at the prep school seem fairly typical. The students at the prep school work well together to create and devise plans to teach the prep school community about their racism from people and the institution. Gil is a second-generation Jamaican living in a Jamaican neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. He lives with his grandmother, who is suffering from dementia, and his mother. His father is in Jamaica trying to secure legal status in the US. 

Bryant Baird, Librarian