Coming Fall 2021

Back to School Pick!

Soccer Trophy Mystery

by Fred Bowen

Fred Bowen is back with more soccer action–and a mystery–in his newest Sports Story, perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

While soccer-playing twins Aiden and Ava lead their teams to a championship season, they try to solve the mystery of their town’s missing soccer trophy.

Thirteen-year-old twins Aiden and Ava and their good friend Daniel, all avid soccer players, have just learned their county league soccer trophy mysteriously disappeared forty years ago from the town library. It was never recovered. So between games and practices for the town’s soccer championships, the three friends try to solve the case.

But will these amateur detectives be able to unravel the mystery and find someone who had both motive and opportunity to commit the crime? Will their teams make it all the way to the championships?

Award-winning author and Washington Post KidsPost sports columnist Fred Bowen returns with another installment in his Sports Story Series, this time tackling important topics like equal recognition for women in sports. At the end of the book, Bowen includes “The Real Story” behind the disappearance of the original World Cup trophy.

Speed Demon

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Football and track action star in this Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

Eager to find his place at his elite new school, ninth-grader Tim Beeman is torn between running track and trying out for football. Where will he feel most comfortable and be able to put his fast running skills to best use?

When Tim sets a new school record for the fifty-yard dash during the first week of classes, he reveals his special talent: speed. Before long, the track and the football teams are both urging him to join their sport.

Tim is torn. He feels he has a lot to offer the football team and is eager to join this popular group, but he can’t shake a lingering fear of being injured. He would definitely be an asset to the track team, but he is drawn to the more prestigious football team. How can Tim put his talent to the best use and at the same time satisfy his own needs?

Author Fred Bowen tackles relatable dual-athlete struggles of making choices and friendship along with a real conversation about player safety.

Lucky Enough

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Ready to head to the diamond for some baseball? 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.

“A good read for youngsters who know and love the game.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Like many athletes, Trey is superstitious. How could he not be when he just made the Ravens travel team, thanks to his lucky charm—a piece of rare sea glass he found on his grandmother’s beach.

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―he never steps on the foul line, he obsessively taps the corners of home plate when he’s at bat, he always chooses the same lucky bat. Why stop? After all, his tactics are working; he’s doing quite well on the field and in the batter’s box.

Then one day he can’t find his lucky sea glass. He searches everywhere, but it’s no use. Trey’s performance begins to slip, and he’s convinced that his future with the Ravens is doomed. Things don’t start to improve for Trey until his uncle reminds him of his grandmother’s favorite saying: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

Can Trey take those words to heart and find his swing again…even without his lucky charm?

Author Fred Bowen explores the age-old conflict between luck and hard work in this installment of his Sports Story Series. In the afterword, readers can learn more about famous players with their own lucky charms and superstitions.

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.

Winners Take All

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.

The Reds and the Cubs are battling for first place in the Rising Stars League, and the Reds need a victory in today’s game to push ahead in the standings. Kyle, the Reds’ center fielder, wants to win so much that he claims to have made a difficult catch, which he actually dropped.

The win gives Kyle and his team an unfair advantage in the championship series, and everyone considers him the hero of the game. But all of the praise and attention he receives is not enough to silence his conscience. Will he come clean and risk the ire of his family and his team?

Author Fred Bowen continues his Sports Story series with play-by-play action that’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats! An afterword provides the real story of Christy Mathewson, an MLB pitcher whose reputation for honesty actually had umpires asking him to make calls during games.

Touchdown Trouble

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Are you ready for some football? 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.

“Plenty of walloping gridiron action…unexpectedly potent drama.” ―Booklist

“An excellent opportunity for a group discussion and will be a fine addition to other popular play-by-play sports chapter books.” ―School Library Journal

Sam loves football. There’s nothing better than the rush he gets when his team, the Cowboys, are working together—moving closer and closer to the end zone.

But in a key game, the Cowboys beat their archrivals to remain undefeated, thanks to a major play by Sam. However, the celebration ends when he and his teammates make an unwelcome discovery: The winning play was illegal.

Is the Cowboys’ perfect season in jeopardy? Did they really deserve to win?

Author Fred Bowen delivers exciting play-by-play action along with an important story of winning and losing, truth and consequences, and good sportsmanship.

Throwing Heat

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Get back in the baseball action with this Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

Jack has a sizzling fastball, but does he have what it takes to pitch his team to victory?

Known for his crazy fastball pitches, Jack has never had a problem striking a batter out. Until now. This season, he’s playing in a new league where the distance to the catcher’s mitt is a lot greater, 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?

In this installment of his Sports Story series, author Fred Bowen shows readers how to battle the ache of disappointment and rise to new challenges. Readers can learn more about pitching phenoms Steve Dalkowski and Sandy Koufax and their Major League Baseball careers in the afterword.

That’s Not How You Play Soccer, Daddy!

by Sherry Shahan
illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

T. J.’s Secret Pitch

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Calling all baseball 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.

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 the batters. So when T. J. learns about one of baseball’s early heroes, Pittsburgh Pirate Rip Sewell, he decides to try Sewell’s secret weapon. Will his teammates give T. J. the chance to prove that he can be a pitcher? And will T.J.’s secret pitch help lead his team to victory?

Author Fred Bowen offers another exciting story filled with on-the-field action and important themes of confidence and problem solving. An afterword provides the real story of Rip Sewell and his baseball career.

Soccer Team Upset

Part of Fred Bowen Sports Story Series

by Fred Bowen

Get back on the soccer field with 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.

Tyler hopes for an unbeatable season for his soccer team, but is that even possible when his friends—and the team’s best players—leave for an elite travel team?

With their best players gone, Tyler is excited when Coach Murray gives him the midfielder position. It’s tough, and despite how hard Tyler tries, his team can’t seem to win a game. Then an elderly English soccer fan tells Tyler about the United States’ 1–0 surprise upset against England, the world’s number one team, in the 1950 World Cup. Inspired by these underdogs and their one play that changed the course of the game, Tyler finds a new sense of determination. But is one play really enough to beat the top-ranked team in their own league?

Weaving a fast-paced story of jealousy, compassion, and pride, author Fred Bowen excites readers in this classic tale of underdogs rising to victory. Find out the real story of the 1950 World Cup match between the United States and England in the afterword.