Allstar Sportstory (Library) Series

Golden Glove

by Fred Bowen

Published 1 September 1996

When a twelve-year-old shortstop loses the glove that "magically" helped him make fantastic catches, he wonders whether it was the sole secret of his success.

When Kyle fakes a catch, his baseball team goes on to win the league championship but Kyle doesn't feel good about winning by cheating. Includes a section on the sportsmanship of Christy Mathewson, a pitcher who played professional baseball in the early 1900s.

T.J.'s Secret Pitch

by Fred Bowen

Published 1 March 1996

In his determination to pitch for his neighborhood baseball team, twelve-year-old T.J. adopts the unorthodox style of the legendary Rip Sewell.

Full Court Fever

by Fred Bowen

Published 1 March 1998

With help from a new student and inspiration from an old magazine article, the players on Michael's seventh-grade basketball team hope to overcome their shortness and win their game against the eighth graders.

On the Line

by Fred Bowen

Published 1 October 1999

Worried that his inability to make free throws is making his junior high basketball team lose games, Marcus learns an unconventional underhand shooting method from a friendly custodian but is not sure he wants to use it. Includes a history chapter discussing great basketball players who have used the underhand toss.

Off the Rim

by Fred Bowen

Published 1 September 1998

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?

This action-packed story shows how determination, strategy, and innovation can change the way you play. Check out the afterword for more stories of real-life basketball players.

The Final Cut

by Fred Bowen

Published 1 April 1999

After tryouts for the school basketball team, eighth graders Zeke, Eli, Ryan, and Miles find their friendship tested when two of them make the team and two of them do not.

Playoff Dreams

by Fred Bowen

Published 1 September 1997

Brendan, the best player on a losing baseball team, learns a lesson from a Chicago Cubs all-star about the true value of the game.