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Description
Tanner Ryan hates his new town and the only thing he likes is his family's pool, until he discovers the most amazing place ever to skateboard.
Unfortunately, on the same day he finds the Curves, he meets Bennett Parsons III, the resident bully. And the locals aren't happy that Tanner's been skateboarding all over town. Can Tanner make friends and still have fun doing what he likes to do? Or has he been doomed to a life without skateboarding?
Gr 4-8 These hi/lo books rely on typical sports fiction plots but stand out for their focus on unusual sports. In "Board Rebel", Tanner finds himself ostracized when he and his family move to a planned community that doesn't allow skateboarding. In "Go-Kart Rush", Tony struggles to keep up when he finds himself the youngest kart racer in a new division. Both stories are written at a second- or third-grade reading level but involve middle grade protagonists and problems-pursuing one's interests and fitting in. In both cases, the boys' dedication and skill earn them friends who help them resolve their issues. The writing, featuring plenty of sports action and dialogue, is surprisingly engaging, especially considering the constraints of a lower reading level. Each book utilizes the language of the sport at hand. Potentially unfamiliar terms are clearly defined in the backmatter; "Go-Kart Rush" even includes diagrams. Tiffany's cartoon illustrations have an edge of manga flair. They're eye-catching and support the story, although older readers may think they're a bit too young. The discussion questions and writing prompts at the end of the books add to their appeal for teachers and tutors who work with struggling readers.
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler – or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps – literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers. ¿Quién es Jake Maddox? ¿Atleta, autor, viajero mundial o los tres? Ha surfeado en Hawái, buceado en Australia y escalado las montañas de Perú y Alaska. Sus libros abarcan desde los deportes de equipo más populares hasta actividades al aire libre, aventuras de supervivencia e incluso carreras de autos. Sus hazañas han inspirado a numerosos escritores a seguir sus pasos, ¡literalmente! Cada una de sus historias está marcada por el trabajo en equipo, el juego limpio y un fuerte sentido de autoestima y disciplina. Siempre un jugador de equipo, Maddox se da cuenta de que se necesita más de una persona para crear un libro lo suficientemente bueno para un joven lector. Espera que las lecciones aprendidas en la cancha, el campo o la arena y el ritmo de velocista campeón de sus libros puedan motivar a los niños a convertirse en mejores atletas y lectores de por vida.
