Kirjahaku

SOCCER SIDEKICKS is a fast-paced, highly engaging soccer book for 9-12 year olds. The exciting sports action is sure to appeal to youngsters, whether or not they typically enjoy reading. Best friends Carlos and Amir came to Iowa from different parts of the world -- Mexico and Afghanistan. But their love of soccer unites the boys, even when their world is spinning out of control. Carlos gives up his coveted center midfielder position to Amir. His sacrifice for the team, the Fish, is rewarded when their 99 game losing streak is ended in the heart-stopping season finale. Not even a tornado can stop Carlos' and Amir's never-give-up spirit. Author Bo Rush is an elementary school language arts teacher and writer of sports chapter books for kids. Bo weaves humor, personal struggle, and exciting soccer action to create a rich, high-interest story. Like all Bo Rush books, SOCCER SIDEKICKS uses sports to celebrate diversity and inclusion, grapple with important life lessons, and reaffirm important values like courage, determination, and friendship.

SOCCER BUGS is a sports book for middle grade readers that combines fast-paced soccer action with powerful social issues -- including bullying, divorce, and memory loss. Like all Bo Rush books, SOCCER BUGS uses sports to celebrate diversity and inclusion, grapple with important life lessons, and reaffirm important values like courage, determination, and friendship. SOCCER BUGS takes place in the fictional town of New Abe in Sangamon County, Illinois. Midwestern geography and climate are ever-present, and the ghost of Abe Lincoln and his dog Fido offer a twist that is both entertaining and educational. Ten-year-old Rio Planck witnesses first-hand how his adopted grandpa molds a ragtag bunch of rejects into a championship soccer team. The "Lightning Bugs" feature a superstar striker who uses bilateral cochlear implants to hear, and a hyper-focused goalkeeper who is on the autism spectrum. When their aging coach develops Alzheimer's can no longer guide them, the young players use the lessons they've learned on and off the field to complete their surprising season in spectacular, nail-biting fashion.

OKLAHOMA SHAKE is Bo Rush's latest sports fiction book for middle grade readers. The intense sports action is sure to appeal to any youngster who loves sports, whether or not she/he typically enjoys reading. Like all Bo Rush books, OKLAHOMA SHAKE uses sports to celebrate diversity and inclusion, grapple with important life lessons, and reaffirm important values like courage, determination, and friendship. 12-year-old Guthrie Gore's life is upended when her mother dies while training for a triathlon. Guthrie is uprooted from her home in Oregon's "City of Roses" and sent to an Oklahoma oil town that is the "Small Earthquake Capital of the USA" -- and the home of Norman C. Moore, Guthrie's cardboard cutout father who hasn't seen her since the day she was born. The coach of the Oasis High cross country team notices Guthrie's running ability and selects her as a last-minute replacement for one of his injured runners -- even though she's only in 7th grade Not only does Guthrie help the team win their first-ever county championship, she qualifies for the state meet Teammate Bethany Bixby, a three-time state runner-up, helps Guthrie prepare for the state championship by racing up steps in the school gym. Their final workout ends when a 6.8 earthquake destroys the old gym and nearly kills them both. Remembering the life lessons she learned from her mother, Guthrie overcomes struggles at home and on the racecourse. She discovers that, even when life knocks you down, great things can happen if you get back up and keep running. How many times can a kid get back up when life keeps knocking her down? In OKLAHOMA SHAKE Guthrie Gore answers that question -- and inspires all of us

BASKETBALL BROTHER is a fast-paced basketball book perfect for middle grade readers who love sports. Like all Bo Rush books, BASKETBALL BROTHER uses sports to celebrate diversity and inclusion, grapple with important life lessons, and reaffirm important values like courage, determination, and friendship. Eleven-year-old Leo Looper is recovering from knee surgery and doesn't know if he will ever be able to play basketball again. To make matters worse, he has to move to a new school in the middle of the year. That's never easy, especially when you have to hide the fact that you can't read. But Leo overcomes those obstacles, reaching new heights by slam dunking on the school bully and making an unexpected best friend -- the girl who becomes his teammate and reading tutor. The reading level for BASKETBALL BROTHER is in the third through sixth grade range. Struggling readers who love playing sports will be able to connect with BASKETBALL BROTHER on a personal level. Proficient readers will reinforce their skills while enjoying the sports action and youthful issues presented in the text.