Lucky Enough

When Trey’s treasured lucky charm “helps” him make it onto the Ravens travel team with his friend Cole, he is overjoyed. This stroke of good fortune reinforces his superstitious behavior, and the rituals become more and more important to him. In spite of some teasing and even some sarcasm from his teammates, Trey persists, but how long will his luck hold out?

Download free Lucky Enough discussion questions, and check out this author Q&A to hear from Fred Bowen about his inspiration for this action-packed sports story.

Perfect Game

Isaac is determined to pitch a perfect game: no hits, no runs, no walks, and no errors. If he does, he’s sure to make the summer all-star team. But Isaac keeps losing his cool on the mound; he just can’t get his head back in the game. Then he meets a very interesting Unified Sports basketball player who gets him thinking in a different way about the whole idea of “perfect.” But will this help him be a better pitcher?

Check out the afterword for real-life stories of perfect games in Major League Baseball history, and answer fun questions about Perfect Game with this free, downloadable discussion guide!

Throwing Heat

Last season, Jack could always rely on his fast pitches to strike out his opponents. But now he’s playing in a new league, and he can’t get seem to get into the strike zone. Then a baseball coach at a local college shows Jack some new pitches and tells him about Steve Dalkowski who never made it out of the minor leagues because he wouldn’t throw other pitches. At first Jack doesn’t listen to the coach’s advice, but with the season on the line, he realizes that Finn was right. Is it too late to change his game plan and pitch his team to victory?

Don’t miss the afterword for real stories of pitching phenoms Steve Dalkowski and Sandy Koufax and their Major League Baseball careers, and download the discussion guide for more Throwing Heat fun.

Dugout Rivals

Jake loves baseball, and he loves to win, so he’s excited when newcomer Adam Hull is selected to play for the Red Sox. Adam can do it all―pitch, hit, and field. But as the Red Sox rack up win after win, and Adam’s talents dominate every game, Jake can’t help but wonder: Do he and the other players even matter? When Jake’s father tells him the story of Babe Ruth and the 1927 Yankees, though, Jake sees how even the best players must rely on their teammates.

Read the afterword for more information about the 1927 Yankees, the group that many have called “The Greatest Team of All Time,” and answer questions about Dugout Rivals with this discussion guide.

The Golden Glove

Jamie lovingly oiled his lucky glove all winter, but when he carelessly loses it, he also loses his faith in himself and his ability to lead his baseball team to victory. After an unsuccessful search, Jamie borrows a glove for the season’s opening game. Disappointed in his performance, Jamie seeks help at a local sporting goods shop and finds it in the generosity of the store’s owner who uses the history of baseball gloves and a few fielding tips to demonstrate that no tool―even a lucky glove―is a substitute for confidence and determination.

Learn the real story behind baseball gloves in the afterword, and check out this discussion guide for writing prompts and questions about the book.

The Kid Coach

The Tigers are in trouble. Baseball season is underway, and Coach Skelly has just quit. When Scott and his teammates can’t find an adult to coach the team, the Tigers have an idea: what if one of them became coach? The players learn about leadership and discover unique and unrecognized talents among their own friends.

An afterword provides the real stories of player-managers in Major League Baseball history. For more Kid Coach fun, download this discussion guide.

Playoff Dreams

Frustrated that his team can’t seem to win, Brendan believes his playoff dreams with his team will never come true. But when his uncle take’s him to a game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. An unexpected event and the story of legendary Cubs player and Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks, make Brendan realize that it’s love of the game rather than winning that makes the experience a success.

Read the real story of Ernie Banks and his baseball career in the afterword, and download this discussion guide to answer questions about the book.

T. J.’s Secret Pitch

More than anything, T. J. wants to be a pitcher. But he’s smaller than his teammates, and his pitches just don’t pack the power they need to strike out batters. When T. J. learns about 1940s Pittsburgh Pirate player Rip Sewell, he decides to try Sewell’s secret weapon. But will his teammates give T. J. a chance to prove that he can be a pitcher? And will T. J.’s secret pitch help lead his team to victory?

Learn more about Rip Sewell and his baseball career in the afterword, and check out fun writing prompts and questions about the book in this discussion guide.

Winners Take All

In order to win an important baseball game, twelve-year-old Kyle claims to have made a difficult catch, which he actually dropped. The unearned win gives Kyle and his team an unfair advantage in the championship series, and everyone considers him the hero of the game. Kyle is increasingly uneasy in his deception, and the praise he receives isn’t enough to silence his conscience. Then his sports-crazed grandmother tells him about Christy Mathewson, a pitcher whose reputation for honesty had umpires asking him to make calls during games. In the end Kyle learns a valuable lesson about sportsmanship and realizes that being a hero is only worthwhile if you have earned it.

Find the real story of Christy Mathewson in the afterword, and check out this downloadable discussion guide for questions, writing prompts, and other activities to complete after reading.

Speed Demon
by Fred Bowen

Tim Beeman is an excellent athlete with incredible speed, but he is unsure whether he belongs on the football team or the track team. Although he knows that his mother, who died three years ago, didn’t approve of football, he can’t deny the fact his father would love to see his son out on the field. Plus, Tim is eager to fit in at his new school, and he knows the football team can help him quickly find new friends. Between attempting to please himself, his father, and his peers, Tim can’t figure out where he will feel most comfortable and be able to put his fast running skills to best use.

Tim struggles with his decision since he knows he could be a valuable addition to both the track and football teams. When Tim finally chooses a sport, he continues to wonder if he has made the right choice. Which team will put his talents to the best use and at the same time satisfy his own needs?

This new addition to author Fred Bowen’s Sports Story Series is filled with play-by-play action that’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats!

Check out the discussion guide, and find Speed Demon at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble this September!

Be on the lookout for the rest of our new Fall 2019 titles and those coming to Peachtree in paperback.

In addition to providing more information about his newest book in the Sports Story series, Lucky Enough, Fred Bowen answered some questions to explain the importance of youth sports for children and the life lessons and character skills that can be learned through both playing sports and reading sports fiction.

Q: You’ve dedicated over twenty years to kids’ sports—both as a coach and as a Washington Post sports writer for kids. Why do you think sports are important to children?

A: I think kids love sports because they own the experience. When a kid scores a goal or makes a basket, it is their accomplishment. A parent or some other adult did not arrange that for them. That is why I think so many parents are nervous at their kids’ games. They are not in control. Their child is in control. It’s the kid’s game and that is why they love it.

Q: You’ve mentioned before that youth sports should be more about character education than mastering specific sports skills. What are some important character lessons that children can learn through playing sports?

A: There are so many important lessons kids learn from sports that it is hard to list them all. But some of the most important include giving your best effort at all times, being a good teammate, and dealing with the inevitable disappointments of the game. If a child can learn these lessons from sports they may be able to apply them to their schoolwork and the rest of their life.

Some of the lessons are really hard. For example, lots of times in sports you try your hardest and things do not come out the way you had hoped. That’s a tough one.

All the lessons listed above are in my books along with many more. All of them are important for kids to learn.

Q: You said in a past interview, “So many kids are passionate about sports, and I like tapping into that passion to show them how much fun reading can be.” What did you mean by that? 

A: Kids love sports. I have spoken at hundreds of schools and I always ask, “Who plays sports?” Almost every hand flies into the air. My goal through my books is to turn that passion for sports into a passion for reading. Kids will read more if they are allowed to read books that are about subjects they like.

Q: How do you think reading fictional stories about sports can supplement the character development and learning that happens in playing sports? 

A: The kids love the books. And that is because my books, like all good fiction, have characters that the reader can care about. I try to make the main character in my stories a “regular” kid so most of my young readers can readily identify with the problems the character is facing. In that way, the books always have an emotional center that captures the reader.

Q: How did you get interested in writing about sports and sports history for children?

A: When my son Liam was around 6 years old I read him some kids sports books. I didn’t think the books were very good. I thought I could write better sports books than the ones I was reading. So I gave it a try.

My first attempt was not very good and was never published. But I was learning and getting better. Then I wrote T.J.’s Secret Pitch. That was published in 1996. Since then I have had 22 more books published with more to come.

The history part of the books was a natural fit. I have always loved reading history and studied history at the University of Pennsylvania (PENN). I am lucky there is so much interesting history in sports.

Q: Your series includes books about many different sports. Did you play sports growing up? Do you have a favorite sport? 

A: I played lots of different sports as I was growing up even though I wasn’t a great athlete. I just loved playing games and being active. I played baseball, basketball, football, tennis, street hockey and I also rode my bike a lot and did some sailing. In high school, I played soccer and golf. In fact, I still play golf.

Q: What inspired the story in your newest book, Lucky Enough? 

A: My brother Pete and his wife Sandy live in a house maybe 100 yards from the ocean in my hometown of Marblehead, Massachusetts. They have a sign in their kitchen above a window that overlooks the water that reads: “If you are lucky enough to live near the sea, you are lucky enough.”

I noticed the sign one day and started thinking about the connection between luck and gratitude. We sometimes think of luck as a way to get the things we want. But as the sign implies, there is also a part of luck that can make you feel grateful for what you have.

Q: Your books always include a “Real Story” chapter about sports history. How did you choose what information to include in your “Real Story” chapter for this new book?

A: The real sports history chapter is always related to the story in the book. For example, Lucky Enough is a story about a young player who believes a piece of blue sea glass he found with his grandmother is lucky and will make him a better hitter, fielder and even student.

So the sports history in Lucky Enough is about famous baseball players and their superstitions. But, as I point out, these players did not count on their “lucky” bats or hats. They also worked very hard to become top players.

Q: What can children who read Lucky Enough learn from Trey’s experiences and struggles with superstition in baseball?

A: All games are a combination of luck and skill. In baseball, for example, a lazy popup may fall in for a hit while a scorched line drive may find a fielder’s glove.

It is easy for kids such as Trey to believe they need a lucky charm or a certain bat to be good at the game. In the long run, however, any player needs to work and practice to become their best. That is another important lesson that playing sports teaches.

Find Lucky Enough and the rest of the books in the Sports Story series at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. For more information about Lucky Enough, check out our blog post and the Discussion Guide!

When Trey makes the Ravens travel baseball team, he credits his lucky charm—a piece of blue sea glass he found near his grandmother’s beach house. Overjoyed by this stroke of good fortune, he continues his superstitious behavior; he never steps on the base line, he obsessively taps the corners of home plate every time he’s at bat, and he always carries his lucky piece of blue sea glass in his uniform pocket. Despite the teasing and sarcasms from his teammates, Trey persists, adding more and more superstitious rituals to his routine.

Looking for ways to use this book in discussions with young readers? Check out our Discussion Guide, which includes common core-aligned writing prompts and discussion questions!

Find Lucky Enough at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble starting March 1!

Outside Shot by Fred Bowen

Eighth-grader Richie Mallon has always known he was a shooter. He has practiced every day at his driveway hoop, perfecting his technique. Now that he is facing basketball tryouts under a tough new coach, will his amazing shooting talent be enough to keep him on the team?

Inspired by the real stories of great shooters like Larry Bird, John Stockton, and Steph Curry, Outside Shot reminds readers that the best players in basketball didn’t just shoot—they played the whole game. They weren’t just stars; they were also team players, as the title’s nonfiction back matter proves.  Author Fred Bowen, lifelong sports fanatic and kids’ sports columnist, continues his Sports Story Series, debuting a new look for the series full of fast-paced sports action and told in a new, engaging first-person format. Outside Shot will capture the attention of both basketball fans and the most reluctant of readers.

“This latest novel is bound to engage and entertain young readers who double as basketball players and/or fans.” —School Library Journal

Add this title to your March Madness bracket when it storms the courts of your local libraries, indie bookstores, or Barnes & Noble!  And for those students, and instructors, whose lives are “nothing but net,” check out the Teacher’s Guide for Outside Shot, written by the author himself!

Dad, Jackie, and Me by Myron Uhlberg illustrated by Colin Bootman

It is the summer of 1947 and a highly charged baseball season is underway in New York. Jackie Robinson is the new first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers—and the first black player in Major League Baseball. A young boy shares the excitement of Robinson’s rookie season with his deaf father. Finally one day the father delivers some big news: they are going to Ebbets Field to watch Jackie play in person!

Sliding Into Home by Dori Hillestad Butler

It’s not fair! Thirteen-year-old Joelle Cunningham is passionate about baseball. She loves to watch it, read about it, and, most of all, play it. But when her family moves from Minneapolis to the small town of Greendale, Iowa, she quickly discovers that there are strict rules preventing her from playing on the school baseball team. Author Dori Butler has created a high-spirited, indomitable character that young girls will admire and root for in this story of frustrated ambition and ultimate triumph.

Stumptown Kid by Carol Gorman & Ron J. Findley

Twelve-year-old Charlie Nebraska wants two things he can’t get: to make the local Wildcats Baseball team and to have life to return to the way it was before his father died two years earlier in the Korean War. Then Charlie meets Luther Peale, a former Negro Baseball League player, and the two strike up a friendship that is challenged by some of the small town’s residents. This dramatic and moving story set int he days of the Negro Leagues illustrates the true meanings of friendship, prejudice, and heroism.

Dugout Rivals by Fred Bowen

Jake Daley loves baseball. He loves playing for the Red Sox in the Woodside baseball league. He loves playing short stop. Most of all, he loves to win. When newcomer Adam joins the team and showcases his outstanding skills by winning game after game, Jake begins to wonder if he or the other players even matter. It’s only when Jake learns of Babe Ruth and the 1927 Yankees that he realizes even the best players rely on the talent of their teammates.

The Golden Glove by Fred Bowen

Without his lucky glove, Jamie doesn’t believe in his ability to lead his baseball team to victory. After losing his special glove before the season’s opening game, he is disappointed in his performance with the glove he had to borrow. But with the help of a sporting goods store owner and former minor league player, Jamie learns that faith in oneself is the most important equipment for any game.

The Kid Coach by Fred Bowen

Baseball season is underway, and Coach Skelly has just quit. When Scott and his teammates can’t find an adult to coach the team, it looks as if the Tigers’ season might be over before it really begins. But then the players have an idea: what if one of them became coach? They learn about leadership and discover unique and unrecognized talents among their own friends.

Perfect Game by Fred Bowen

Isaac is determined to pitch a perfect game: no hits, no runs, no walks, and no errors. If he does, he’s sure to make the summer all-star team. But Isaac keeps losing his cool on the mound; he just can’t get his head back in the game. Then he meets a very interesting Unified Sports basketball player who gets him thinking in a different way about the whole idea of “perfect.”

Playoff Dreams by Fred Bowen

Brendan is one of the best players in the league, but no matter how hard he tries, he can’t make his team win. After an unexpected event and learning the story of Cubs player and Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, Brendan realizes that it’s the love of the game that makes the experience a success.

T.J.’s Secret Pitch by Fred Bowen

T.J. is smaller than his teammates and his pitches just don’t have the power to get the batters out. When he learns about 1940s player Rip Sewell, he may have found a solution. But will his teammates give T. J. a chance to prove that he can be a pitcher? And will T. J.’s secret pitch help lead his team to victory?

Throwing Heat by Fred Bowen

Last season, Jack’s pitches were the fastest around, and he could always rely on them to strike out his opponents. But now he’s playing in a new middle school league, where the distance between the pitching rubber and the catcher’s mitt is a lot greater. Jack keeps throwing heat but he can’t get seem to get balls into the strike zone. When a local college baseball coach offers to help him, Jack doesn’t listen at first, but with the season on the line, he realizes the coach was right. Is it too late to change his game plan?

Winners Take All by Fred Bowen

In order to win an important baseball game, twelve-year-old Kyle claims to have made a difficult catch, which he actually dropped. The attention he receives is not enough to silence his conscience. When Kyle learns of Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson, a pitcher whose reputation for honesty was so great that umpires would ask him to make calls during games, he realizes that being a hero is only worthwhile if you have earned it.

Look for these books and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble.

It’s always an honor to be among the fun and beautiful titles that make up the reading lists each year. Enjoy these titles, and make sure to check out the rest of the amazing books on the lists!

Churchill’s Tale of Tails by Anca Sandu

Friends try to help Churchill replace his missing tail. But Churchill’s fun makes him forget his friends. Will Churchill put friends first and find his lost tail along the way? Children will enjoy the delightful friendship tale.

Claude at the Beach by Alex T. Smith

 A small dog named Claude and his animated sock companion, Sir Bobblysock, head to the beach for their latest adventure that includes rescuing a swimmer, winning a sand castle contest, and searching for treasure. Claude’s silly antics keep readers laughing.

Lion vs. Rabbit by Alex Latimer

Lion is mean to everyone! Various animals try to stand up to Lion, but fail. And then a rabbit arrives. Can such a small, gentle animal defeat Lion?

Three Hens and  a Peacock by Lester Laminack

A peacock shows up at the farm and lures visitors to the farm stand. The hens get jealous so hound dog suggests they swap duties. The peacock and the hens find the tasks more difficult than they thought.

Quarterback Season by Fred Bowen

A clever boy-focused story about middle-grade Matt playing for a football team. The story is clever because it integrates the trials of playing a sport through a boy’s journal and e-mail messages. Football is the hook, and the journal provides authenticity.

Mr. President Goes to School by Rick Walton

When Mr. President needs a break from solving world problems, he disguises himself and joins Mrs. Applegate’s classroom. Kids will hang on every word and picture as the President enters their world, learning to solve world problems kid-style!

The following titles come from author Fred Bowen, a lifelong sports fanatic who has coached youth league baseball, basketball, and soccer. It’s tip-off time—start reading!

Outside Shot

Eighth-grader Richie Mallon has always known he was a shooter, but will his amazing shooting talent be enough to keep him on the team?

The Final Cut

Four friends who share a love of basketball have to go through tryouts for the school team. But will they all make the team?

Full Court Fever

The Falcons have the skill but not the height required to win their games. Will they be able to win the dreaded end-of-the-season game against their much taller rivals? 

Hardcourt Comeback

When a basketball team’s star forward loses his confidence, he has to learn how to think like a winner again.

Off the Rim

Chris yearns to be more than a bench warmer on the Oak View Middle School basketball team. With the help of his best friend Greta and her mom, Chris begins to change his defensive strategy and successfully learns to keep his opponents from scoring. 

On the Line

Marcus is the high scorer and best rebounder on his basketball team, but he’s not so great at free throws, until the school custodian helps him overcome his fear of failure.

Real Hoops

Can street ball and technical play mix it up on the court and score wins for the team? Can Ben convince Hud to leave his hotshot style back on the pickup court?

Look for these titles and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble!

It was quite a turn of events that in our Southern publishing house, we had the following votes:

As stated, most of us would probably rather be reading than watching football, so maybe book-related entertainment would get us all more invested in the game. Half-time read-aloud, anyone? In fact, we are all better prepared to watch and understand the game thanks to Fred Bowen’s football titles that we all know and love.

No matter if you are a football lover or need to brush up on your football knowledge, these stories are sure to keep your attention and hopefully get you excited for Super Bowl 50.

Quarterback Season

Double Reverse

Touchdown Trouble

Let us know who you will be rooting for this weekend or what your favorite football titles are!

Grades 3-7

Fred Bowen’s newest book, Out of Bounds, teaches readers how true athletes exemplify sportsmanship. Nate, an eighth-grade soccer player, must choose to either keep playing after an opponent has been injured or to send the ball out of bounds in an act of good sportsmanship. Much to the chagrin of some of his teammates, Nate kicks the ball out of bounds in order to give the injured player a chance to recover.

This book uses real-world events to help portray how young athletes can be sportsman-like. Throughout the book, Nate and his team must learn how to work together and how to demonstrate good character. Try this activity with your class in order to practice creative writing skills and to also prompt discussion on fairness and sportsmanship.

After the class reads Out of Bounds, discuss how the sportsmanship discussed in the book can be applied to situations that do not involve sports. Emphasize that sportsmanship is a display of fairness and of high character.

• Ask the class to write a one to two page essay describing an instance where they witnessed excellent sportsmanship or an example of fairness.
• These essays can be about sports, dance class, camp, extracurricular activities, or anything that the student thinks applies to the situation.
•  This activity will help the class to practice their writing skills and to learn the importance of sportsmanship in everyday situations.