Outside Shot

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Looking for baseball action? Check out this Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

“Smartly using sports terminology and internal monologue from the protagonist’s point of view, this latest novel is bound to engage and entertain young readers who double as basketball players and/or fans. VERDICT A must-purchase…” —School Library Journal

Richie Mallon is known as “the shooter”—the one on the team who scores most of the baskets. Every day he practices at his driveway hoop, perfecting his technique. Richie never plays any other roles on the court, leaving it to his teammates to do the assisting and rebounding.

Under a new coach, Richie makes the team but isn’t given a starting position. So when his shooting skills fall into a slump, can he find a way to become a better-rounded player and stay on the team?

Bowen returns with another fast-paced story of sports, teamwork, and talent. The afterword offers real-life stories about some of the great shooters in basketball history.

Real Hoops

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Teeming with basketball action, this Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen is perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

 “Capped by a tribute to some of New York’s playground-hoops heroes, this simply written tale in the Fred Bowen Sports Story series is chock-full of suspenseful game action.” ―Booklist

Can street ball and technical play mix it up on the court and score wins for the team?

Ben and Logan are looking for a new point guard for their team, and they are sure they’ve found one in Antonio “Hud” Hudson, the new guy at their school. But there’s one problem:  Hud plays fast-paced pickup ball, and coach says that’s against the team rules!

So when Ben finds Hud playing pickup, he has to make a decision. As captain, can he help Hud balance his passion for the game with his dedication to the team?

Author Fred Bowen delivers another action-packed tale of skill, friendship, and teamwork as three boys work together to make the best of two worlds. In the afterword, readers can learn the real story of pickup ball and Holcombe Rucker Park, Harlem’s famous basketball court where many NBA greats—including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dr. J, Stephon Marbury, and Jamal Mashburn—got their start.

On the Line

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Calling all basketball fans! Check out this action-packed Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

“Fast-paced court action, vivid game descriptions, and an upbeat ending…. Bowen scores again with a satisfying blend of historical sports commentary and fiction.” ―School Library Journal

Marcus is the high scorer and best rebounder on his basketball team, but he has one weakness: free throws. So when he misses four free throws at the end of an important game and his team loses, he turns to Mr. Dunn, the school custodian, who has just the trick to help Marcus get back on top: the “granny shot.”

Mr. Dunn shares with Marcus how former NBA star Rick Barry used this unorthodox way of shooting foul shots. Despite his success in practice, Marcus refuses to use the “granny shot” in an actual game. It looks ridiculous! But when he finds himself on the foul line again at a crucial time in an important game, will he be able to overcome his pride and score for his team?

Author Fred Bowen tells another fast-paced story about conquering weaknesses and vanity to become your best. In the afterword, readers can learn more about real-life NBA player Rick Barry and his infamous “granny shot.”

Off the Rim

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Looking for some basketball action? Check out this Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

Chris is tired of being a benchwarmer. He loves basketball and wants nothing more than to play on the court with his team. So hoping to get more playing time, he asks his friend Greta, the high-scoring star of the girls’ team, for help with his shooting skills.

But surprisingly, it’s Greta’s mom – a former basketball player who never even scored a basket – who helps change Chris’s strategy. Can he finally become a success on the court?

Author Fred Bowen shows how determination, strategy, and innovation can change the way you play. Check out the afterword for more stories of real-life basketball players.

Hardcourt Comeback

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Calling all basketball fans! Return to the court in this action-packed Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

“Reads like a successful drive to the hoop—quick, purposeful, and effective.” ―Booklist

Brett Carter, the Wildcats’ star forward, is a hotshot on his basketball team—or at least he was. After missing an easy layup shot at the buzzer in one of the most important games of the season, he feels like a total loser. And things only get worse from there…

At his best friend’s birthday party at a rock-climbing center, Brett freezes on the wall. Then he blows an easy question in the American history bee at school. And when he gets back on the court, he can’t get rid of this terrible pounding in his chest. Brett is losing his confidence fast. With the championship game is coming up, can he overcome his fears and play like a “winner” again?

In the afterword, author Fred Bowen shares real stories of well-known players and their hard-fought comebacks.

Full Court Fever

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Ready for some basketball? 

Check out this action-packed Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

Michael Mancino’s seventh-grade basketball team is what you might call “vertically challenged.” They have the skills, but what they lack in height has cost them the first two games of the season. So when Michael and his team meet Dikembe Obiku, a new student from Nigeria, they are sure they’ve found their saving grace. Dikembe is athletic and taller than most of the teachers, but there’s one problem: He’s never played basketball before!

Their chances of making the ultimate comeback seem impossible. That is, until Michael discovers an old issue of Sports Illustrated about the similarly vertically challenged UCLA Bruins who won the 1964 NCAA Championship with an aggressive and hard-to-beat full-court zone press. Can their team learn a thing or two from these Davids and take down their own Goliaths in the next game? Or will they come up short again?

Author Fred Bowen continues his Sports Story Series with full court, play-by-play action that’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. In the afterword, readers can learn more about the 1964 UCLA Bruins.

The Final Cut

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Ready to hit the basketball court?

Check out this action-packed Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

 “Briskly paced… a good bet for use with sports-minded reluctant readers.” ―School Library Journal

Ryan, Zeke, Eli, and Miles have always shared a love of sports, especially basketball. When it’s time for basketball team tryouts, these best friends practice together, compete in a local 3-on-3 tournament, and carefully compute their chances of making the team. However, when tryouts arrive, will all their athletic skills pass the test? Can their friendship survive if one of them doesn’t make the cut?

Fred Bowen keeps readers on the edge of their seats with play-by-play basketball action and real court strategy along with a story about winning and losing as well as the value of practice and competition. In the sports history epilogue, Bowen reminds readers that even famous players like Michael Jordan didn’t make their high school basketball teams the first time around.