Red Zone Rivals

Gr 6–9—In Red Zone Rivals, starting quarterback Quinn's got a new coach who doesn't quite get him, a rival jockeying for his position, and a nerdy peer tutor. Ice Time's Paul wants more than anything to join a hockey team, but his mother can't afford the fees or equipment. When Paul's best friend has a concussion, the boy has a shot at the team—and an opportunity of realizing his dream. Micah, the protagonist of Shot in the Dark, is up against something more challenging than a fierce opponent: the eighth grader lands a spot on the goalball team, but he's got a degenerative eye condition—and some understandable anger issues—to contend with. Featuring covers clearly labeled with the sport in question, action-packed stories, and characters with diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, these books are written at a third-grade reading level but are sure to hook sporty middle school students.