Whether it be martial arts or swimming, sports are a big part of teens’ lives. From high stakes to heartbreak, the following YA titles are sure to get readers’ adrenaline pumping. For athletes and non-athletes alike, Chris Lynch’s latest football drama and Fonda Lee’s sci-fi thriller pack lots of punch.

Brouwer, Sigmund. Rock the Boat. ISBN 9781459804555.

Polak, Monique. Learning the Ropes. ISBN 9781459804524.

ea vol: 168p. (Orca Limelights). ebook available. Orca. May 2015. pap. $9.95.

Gr 7-10 –In Rock the Boat, 17-year-old Webb is a Canadian songwriter trying to land a record deal in Nashville. He runs into financial trouble when he places his trust in an unscrupulous record producer. When Webb buys lunch for a musician who turns out to be more than meets the eye, the young man’s fortune begins to change. In Learning the Ropes, despite her father’s misgivings, Mandy attends a camp that trains young people to be professional circus performers. She needs to stay focused on her rope climbing to beat the competition, but an accident resulting in the death of a local aerialist threatens Mandy’s drive. Does she have the guts to pursue this dangerous profession, or should she follow her dad’s advice and set her dream aside? Both of these novels will hook readers from the first chapter. Even though the ambitions of the main characters are specialized, Webb and Mandy are relatable to any young teen in pursuit of a dream. The specifics of the characters’ interests—music and circus performance—are described in a way that is true to life and easy to grasp. VERDICT Suspenseful plots, fascinating details, and likable protagonists make these titles wonderful additions to hi-lo collections.–Alison O’Reilly Poage, Seminary of the Southwest Lib.

Dominy, Amy Fellner. A Matter of Heart. 320p. Delacorte. May 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780385744430; lib. ed. $20.99. ISBN 9780375991660; ebk. ISBN 9780385389938.

Gr 9 Up –Abby knows what she wants, and she is seconds away from achieving it: making the Olympic Trials in her premier event—the 100-meter freestyle. Weeks away from reaching her dream, she gets dizzy after a swim meet. Concerned, her coach wants her to get cleared by her doctor before he will let her swim again. Abby and her parents are shocked to learn that she has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a medical condition that has been responsible for the loss of top high school athletes across the country. Abby and her parents each react differently after the doctor’s diagnosis. Her mother incorrectly believes that her daughter’s condition is fatal, her father is in denial, and Abby, knowing that she actually has a mild form that likely isn’t terminal, decides not to give up on her goals. The teen continues to struggle with her decision to risk her life in order to achieve her dream. Even non-athletes will relate to Abby and her fight to attain a seemingly impossible aspiration. More than a sports novel, this book delves deep into issues of identity—how we identify ourselves separately from what we do well—and the importance of support systems while making life-altering decisions. VERDICT Give this to fans of Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s “Dairy Queen” series (Houghton Harcourt, 2006).–Stephanie Charlefour, Wixom Public Library, MI

Lee, Fonda. Zeroboxer. 360p. ebook available. Flux. Apr. 2015. pap. $11.99. ISBN 9780738743387.

Gr 8 Up –Carr Luka is the king of the Cube, a zero gravity cage fight arena. In his upcoming championship fight, Luka will represent Terrans against a Martian colony and his supporters will cheer, “Make him float!” highlighting the grisly implications of a knockout. Luka’s confidence is shaken, however, when a visit to his mother reveals that his physical prowess is a result of illegal genetic enhancements, making his participation in the sport potentially criminal. Zeroboxer is a delicious mix of two genres: sports and science fiction. The colony rivalry and futuristic details are riveting, and martial arts followers hungering for fight action will not be disappointed. The main character develops a romantic relationship with his brandhelm (publicist) and wrestles with a sense of betrayal by his Uncle Polly and his mother who have always known he was genetically enhanced and hid this from him. Luka also experiences self-doubt as he wonders whether his success is due to his training and hard work or simply to his genetic destiny. This work adeptly combines elements of futuristic TV shows, such as Gattaca (genetics) and Battlestar Gallactica (Terran colonies), and sports program such as Tap Out. VERDICT This gripping sci-fi novel will have teens screaming for a sequel.–Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

Lynch, Chris. Hit Count. 368p. ebook available. Algonquin. May 2015. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781616202507; ebk. $17.95. ISBN 9781616204907.

Gr 9 Up –Arlo Brodie’s devotion to football progresses throughout his high school years, even as evidence mounts that repeated head injuries are affecting him both cognitively and emotionally. In four sections that correspond to the four years of high school, Arlo describes the manner in which the sport gradually becomes an obsession, driving him to train incessantly and take ever greater risks in practice and games. He ignores the warnings of his mother, his girlfriend, and his own body until he is forced to confront his violent nature after grabbing his girlfriend during an argument in school. Comparisons are sure to be made with the author’s groundbreaking Inexcusable (S. & S, 2005). Readers expecting the intense, concentrated focus of the earlier book, however, may be disappointed in this more diffuse effort, which features, for instance, a never-resolved subplot involving Arlo’s jealousy of an older guy he thinks his girlfriend may be seeing. The novel also has some issues in terms of voice and narrative arc. In the first section, the 14-year-old Arlo comes across as entirely too erudite and sophisticated for a freshman, and the entire final section seems confusing as Arlo takes up boxing, of all things, to substitute for the football he has had to abandon because of his head trauma. His motivation for doing so is never sufficiently explained and the closing chapters are likely to leave readers scratching their heads. VERDICT An intriguing work that raises troubling questions about the culture of violence in American high school sports.–Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT

Withers, Pam. Andreo’s Race. 224p. ebook available. Tundra. Apr. 2015. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781770497665.

Gr 8 Up –This action-packed book revolves around the topics of adventure races and illegal adoptions, managing to make both interesting and highly readable. Sixteen-year-old Andreo was adopted as a baby, and his family’s upcoming team adventure race in Bolivia is a chance for him to learn more about his origins. When his friend and fellow adoptee Raul discovers that they may have been stolen as babies from their rightful parents, the pair resolve to investigate during the race. Andreo navigates through nighttime cycling, awkward family dynamics, and wanted criminals in his search for his birth mother. The experience of adventure racing is brought to life in the story, with readers experiencing the intensity of training and competition through Andreo. The excitement of the sport is mirrored by his emotional hunt for clues leading to his birth family, and his discoveries and achievements are well paced. Andreo’s imperfect relationship with his adoptive family is the most strained part of the story but works as a plot device, and is resolved in the all’s-well ending. VERDICT The simple, straightforward language, surprise twist, and nonstop action will appeal to reluctant readers looking for a thrilling novel.–Marian McLeod, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT