Aerials and Envy

Gr 4–7—A part of the "Jake Maddox" collection, these middle grade books are focused on female athletes who share a passion for their sports. Tamaya Jackson is the captain of her gymnastics team in Aerials and Envy. After a local news station makes her the center of their segment on the team, she must learn how to share attention and be a good teammate. In Catching Confidence, bookish Ana finds herself fascinated by softball after seeing a college team play. When she does not earn a spot on her school's team, she must gain confidence and work with a combative teammate. Each story is balanced between detailed descriptions of the athletics and interpersonal relationships with team members, though the plots can occasionally be slow-paced. The books, which are written at a third grade reading level, include a glossary of sports terms, discussion questions, writing prompts, and additional information about the sport.