Bea is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard

Bea is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard is a 2023 RICBA nominee. Bea is new in the neighborhood and new in the school. She has a new family too! A new dad and 3 new brothers. That is a lot to deal with, but hopefully she can continue to be a soccer star and hang on to something from her old life. Except, her new school doesn't have a girls' soccer team. What?! Hopefully Bea can advocate for change... with some help from new friends.

I love this story. It has so much heart! Bea is tough and courageous and speaks up for herself, just like we want all our children to be able to do for themselves. This is a great story to inspire and encourage sports minded students, and teaches all students to be good sports.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

 

The Creature from the Seventh Grade, Boy or Beast

The Creature from the Seventh Grade, Boy or Beast by Bob Balaban is about a boy that is in the seventh grade that gets bullied. He gets bullied because he is a short and skinny seventh grader. He doesn't do any sports so he gets made fun of then something happens. He becomes a dinosaur, everyone likes him and he is nice and might try a sport. 

I like the book because it is funny, cool and it is interesting. I connected with this book because I do not bully and I don't stand with bullying.

Reviewed by Jake the baseball god 

Becoming Muhammed Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander

Becoming Muhammed Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander is all about how Ali became a boxer and how his everyday life was. It talks about who Muhammed was during his childhood and all he had to go through. It also talks about most of his boxing fights and the outcomes at a young and old age.

I personally liked the book and thought it was different from most books because some pages are poems. And I liked it because I thought it was only going to be about his professional boxing career but turned out to be about his whole life. It also talked about his training and dedication which helped me out and gave me motivation.

This book reminds me about my boxing career, mostly because I started around the same age as him or because I do a lot of the same things that he did. It also reminds me of many other boxers. They all had around the same routine but there's a difference: he didn't give up and didn’t take breaks and he dedicated his life to boxing.          

Reviewed by string cheese     

Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander is about how Muhammad Ali worked hard to become a boxer. His life was hard before he became a boxer and he had to work hard. He was always interested in why he was different from white people. His grandad told him stories about how black people were segregated. Muhammad was always training hard to become a boxer.

I like this story because I like to work hard on whatever I set my mind on. I like to get stronger and faster. Just like him. I have watched boxing movies since I was six years old. Ali worked hard to achieve his goal. I had to do this when I did gymnastics.

Review by X-dawg2.0

Inside the NBA: Boston Celtics by Sam Moussavi

Inside the NBA: Boston Celtics by Sam Moussavi is about the Boston Celtics and is a super interesting book. It gives so much information about the Celtics. The book covers what happens from the first year until when it was published. If you want to learn about the Celtics, I would recommend this book. 

This book reminds me of me because I also play basketball. The Boston Celtics are a basketball team from Boston. I like this book much because I am a big sports fan. I love the Boston Celtics.  

Review by Sam

 

Big Nate Game On! by Lincoln Pierce

I really like the book Big Nate Game On! by Lincoln Pierce, because it’s a graphic novel series and the character is funny. Big Nate Game On is all about sports, but it's not necessarily in order. For instance there was one event where a boy named Arthur is very lucky and Nate doesn't like him. He became first chair in chess instead of Nate. He even became a couple with Nate’s crush.

Nate plays basketball, baseball, and soccer. In baseball, Nate’s team has an embarrassing name. He plays left field, but he always says that there is no action in left field. In soccer, Nate plays as goalie, but when he makes a save he always gets hits in the face and gets hurt. In basketball, Nate always needs his lucky socks in his warm ups and games or else he he will lose. He likes to roast the other players.  Read the book and I think you‘ll agree it's funny.   
     
 REVIEWED BY MINATO UCHIHA

Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher

Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher is a Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee for 2019.  Joseph, is a student who has difficulty paying attention in school. He is in 7th grade and has trouble making friends because he is different. His resource teacher Mrs. T. encourages him to sign up for the track team. A new girl in school, Heather joins the team too. Together they face the rigors of preparing for a competitive sport and the bullies that seem to dominate in all schools.

Oh wow! I loved this book. The characters are so likable, and well developed by the author that you will feel you know Joseph and Heather. Joseph has Attention Deficit Disorder and Asher seems to know just what it is like to be easily distracted. Full of humor and heart, this is an excellent read aloud for the start of school. This book encourages empathy, a respect for differences, and an understanding of what it is like to struggle to succeed. A great "do your best" lesson.

Review by Mrs. Castro

Allen Iverson by Glen Macnow

This book is called Allen Iverson and the author is Glen Macnow.  This a biography about Allen Iverson and what he did in his life. He was born on June 7, 1975 . When he was a little kid he loved basketball and he always wanted to be a basketball player. He grew up in poverty in Hampton, Virginia. When he was an adult he was drafted by the Seventy Sixers and became one of the best players of all time.

Allen Iverson was one of my favorite players. I play and I watch basketball. If you  like  basketball you should read this book, because Allen Iverson is one of the most thrilling players.

Review by Barney

When the Game Was Ours by Larry Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson

In the book When the Game Was Ours by Larry Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are in high school.They are both dominating on the basketball  court. Then they go to college and play on the best teams.They are both rivals. Finally they get drafted to the NBA. In the book they are ruling there too, but when they face each other in the championship it goes all the way to game seven. Read to find out whose team wins.

I thought the book was very good at explaining what happened in the careers of Larry and Magic, with their injuries and stats. It was very interesting. I learned so much about the teams and those two players, but I learned about many other players too. I thought the book was great and very descriptive. I would recommend reading it to anyone who likes sports.

Review by #1celticsfan

Soar by Joan Bauer

Soar by Joan Bauer is a wonderful book! Soar is about a boy named Jeremiah who has a heart problem. He and his father have to move to Ohio because of a job Walt, his father, has to do. Jeremiah is a big baseball fan, but when something bad happens to one of the players on the town's baseball team, the town starts to die down. Jeremiah is very disappointed about this. He wants to do something about it, but what can he do?

I have an opinion on this book. I love it! It’s a wonderful book and I would recommend it! I like this book because it’s meaningful, and it’s fun. I would recommend this book to someone who likes baseball. This book is a wonderful book, but this is just my opinion. If you want to get a real opinion, read it for yourself!

By WhyDon’tWe#1Fan

Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce

In Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce, Nate, Teddy, and Francis all got assigned a project in their class. They hope to be together, but only Teddy and Francis got paired up together. Nate got paired up with Gina who is his ¨archenemy¨. He gets in trouble and was forced to go to the library but the librarian made him work and he actually ended up doing his part of the the project.

I really liked this book because it was very funny and interesting. For instance, Nate thought a baby picture was his crush, but it turns out it was Gina. His friends were teasing him because he said he would know that face anywhere. In my life at school I always have to work with people I don't like or don’t work well with, but I just try my best and try to get along with them.

Reviewed by, 401.lilsavage


Big Nate Strikes Again is a book written by Lincoln Peirce. I thought it was an amazing book with funny conversations. It is about a boy named Nate that goes to a school with his best friends Francis, and Teddy. One day the Fleece Ball signup results were taped on the wall. When they looked at it they realized that they had a perfect team, but one specific player made Nate almost jump out of his skin. His school enemy…. Gina!!!!

This book reminds me of my life a bit because there’s always that one person that thinks they’re better just like Gina. So Nate reminds me of myself because I’m not the best when it comes  to school subjects like math, social studies, and ELA. Nate also reminds me of myself with the respect that he loves fun subjects like art.

What will Nate do to save his team? Find out by reading Big Nate Strikes Again!!!  

Reviewed by TC_Chocolate_Chips

Middle School:Just My Rotten Luck by James Patterson

Middle School:Just My Rotten Luck is a good book. It was funny and exciting too. It is about Rafe Khatchadorian and his life. Rafe is in seventh grade and has trouble at school. He forgets his homework and gets detention. Before the school year starts, Rafe and his mom go to his school to talk with the principals. What I like best about the story is when Rafe joins the flag football team because Rafe NEVER liked sports. My sister at school gets bullied sometimes. She always tells her teachers about it, and the person who does it, gets in trouble. Will they let Rafe in the school? Read it to find out.

Reviewed by #Pats21

Comeback Kids: Two Minute Drill by Mike Lupica

Comeback Kids: Two Minute Drill was written by Mike Lupica.  He also wrote Heat. The book is about Chris Conlan and his football team. They are underdogs and they are working toward a championship. I will not tell you the end of the Comeback Kids.  One time my team was an underdog in baseball, and we won a championship game.

Review by HAM8  

Too Hot to Handle by Matt Christopher

Too Hot to Handle by Matt Christopher is a realistic fiction book. The main characters are David and Don.  I like them because they are funny, humorous and amusing. The main thing that happens in this book is that Don was an all star baseball player but then he got hurt in one of his games, so his little brother David had to go in for him. I think the author’s message is that you should never give up. I would recommend this book if you like baseball.

Reviewed by AreYouMyFriend?

The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter

The Boy Who Saved Baseball was written by John H. Ritter. This book is about baseball for you baseball fans. I know five people who play baseball.  The book is about a baseball game, and if the Wildcats lose then the whole baseball field will be taken down. They need help and luckily a character named Cruz helps. They get even more help from the legend Del Gato, who randomly left baseball even though he was really good at it. The Wildcats have hope even though they are facing an unbeaten little league team.  If you like baseball, then this book is for you.  I honestly liked this book, even though I don’t play baseball.  Another good reason to read this book is that it has an intense and gripping story.  Do you think you would like this book?  I highly suggest you read The Boy Who Saved Baseball.

Reviewed by Mrs. Left

Red Hot High Tops by Matt Christopher

The book I reviewed is Red Hot High Tops and the author is Matt Christopher.  This takes place on the basketball court at home and in school.  The theme of this book is, if you practice you will get better.  To me this book is exciting so read it to see if you think it's exciting.  I connected with this book because I like basketball books.  When Emily gets new shoes, do they help her game?

Reviewed  by basketball2001

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

Travel Team is written by Mike Lupica.  He is also the author of Summer Ball.  The main character of this book is Danny Walker.  He is a talented basketball player but somehow doesn't get chosen to be on the Vikings travel team.  I personally feel bad for him.  Read to find out how he gets revenge on the Vikings for not choosing him to be on the team.  Is it that Danny isn't talented enough, or did the evaluators just mess up?

Reviewed by Patriots1285

Soccer Chick Rules by Dawn FitzGerald

The main characters in the book  are Tess, Bo, Ibby, and Jillian. Tess’s school was going to cancel sports for the semester due to budget cuts.  Tess believes that there is no reason to go to school if there aren’t any sports to look forward to afterward.  So she goes to a levy meeting after school to raise money through door to door canvassing.  There’s just one problem, her arch enemy Jillian is plotting revenge when Tess goes against the law.  Will Tess be able to raise profits and save sports, or will Jillian stand in her way? I recommend this book to my friend iloveya99 and to anyone else who has a love of sports.     

Reviewed by Misc