Game, Set, Match
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-- School Library Journal, 7/23/2008 7:59:00 AM
The U.S. Open kicks off this year on August 23 with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, giving young tennis fans a chance to meet their sports heroes. The titles below give a glimpse into both the challenges and rewards of Juniors tennis competition.
CLIPPINGER, Carol. Open Court. Knopf. 2007. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84049-4; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94049-1.
Gr 6-10–Hall Braxton is at the top of her game, and her parents and coach think she should go pro. When she sees a friend suffer a mental breakdown under the pressure of competition at a prestigious tennis academy, Hall has second thoughts–does she have the strength and drive necessary to take her game to the next level? And what about that distracting boy Luke? With just enough tension and romance, this title will appeal to young competitors in any sport.
FEINSTEIN, John. Vanishing Act: Mystery at the U.S. Open. Knopf. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-375-83592-6; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93592-3; pap. $6.50. ISBN 978-0-440-42125-2.
Gr 6-9–Readers will feel like they’re courtside with Feinstein’s insider look at the world of tournament tennis. Steve and Susan Carol, two 13-year-old sportswriters, work together to find out who kidnapped a hot Russian tennis player destined to make it to the U.S. Open. Could Susan Carol’s uncle really be involved? Real-life sportscaster Bud Collins makes an appearance. Young tennis players will enjoy the details as well as the suspenseful story.
KONOMI, Takeshi. The Prince of Tennis. vol. 1. illus. by author. Viz Media. 2004. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-59116-435-7.
Gr 5-8–Twelve year old Ryoma has the skill and drive to become a tennis champion, and it shows as he blasts older opponents off the court. Though he is constantly being harassed about his age, Ryoma takes the high road and keeps his focus on the game. The manga format is perfect for expressing the energy and tension of the game of tennis, and with 26 volumes in the series, Ryoma’s fans won’t run out of reading material any time soon.
POWELL, Randy. The Whistling Toilets. Farrar. 2001. pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-0-374-48369-2.
Gr 7-10–Stan has his doubts when he’s asked to coach his longtime friend Ginny–can he help her get out of her slump? His experience coaching city kids using old tennis rackets on iffy courts is nothing like life on the junior tournament circuit. Then rich kid Antonia Wheeler shows up and threatens to throw both Ginny and Stan off their games. A little romance and lots of funny moments keep this story light, and Stan’s more philosophical moments will even resonate with readers who have never stepped on a tennis court.
Remarkable Reads are produced by the editors at NoveList, the leader in readers' advisory electronic resources. For more information, visit NoveList.
