Allie loves everything about volleyball except hitting. She doesn't think she's good at it, and every time she messes up, her belief in her own abilities dwindles. Finally, she asks for help. Her idol, Nikki, agrees to coach her once a week. If Allie can learn to spike as well as she blocks, she could become one of the team's strongest players.

Allie loves everything about volleyball except hitting. She doesn't think she's good at it, and every time she messes up, her belief in her own abilities dwindles. Finally, she asks for help. Her idol, Nikki, agrees to coach her once a week. If Allie can learn to spike as well as she blocks, she could become one of the team's strongest players.

Can Sarit learn to love playing basketball without her dad on the sidelines?

Get in the game with best-selling sports stories by Jake Maddox! These easy-to-read books feature contemporary, true-to-life plots that emphasize persistence, fair play, and showing true strength--on and off the court. Whether it's facing obstacles on the field, the stage, the ice, or the half-pipe, these determined female athletes are up for the challenge. Girls will identify with the characters' struggles and triumphs in these fast-paced, exciting novels.

Ramona loves sand volleyball but has a hard team being a team player. When she learns that the court will be destroyed by a plastic company, she must learn the importance of being part of a team.

Grace is thrilled when her figure skating coach enters her in a local competition. But when she sees another skater practicing, Grace realizes she'll have some difficult competition. She psyches herself out so much that she starts messing up the moves she already knows. Can Grace remember why she loved skating before the skating showdown?

Gina tries to be the star of the soccer team at her new school, but her teammates do not like her showoff moves.

Olivia likes running - when she's doing it for fun, that is. But when her friend convinces her to join the track team, Olivia panics. She's convinced she'll come in last place, and people will make fun of her. So Olivia starts dropping out in the middle of her races. When her aunt realizes what she's doing, Olivia has to face her fears and quit running scared.

Layla loves playing basketball, especially with her best friend, Danika. Now, after spending most of the summer getting ready for tryouts, Layla is eager to move from substitute player to becoming one of the starting five. When tryouts finally arrive, Layla not only makes the main roster but she's also chosen to be the team captain. All of her friends and teammates are excited for her. All, that is, except Danika who is jealous of her friend's success. Layla soon discovers that being both team captain and best friends with Danika is no easy task. Can Layla be a good team captain and a good friend?

Based on a true transgender identity journey, the picture book I'm Not a Girl is an empowering story from writers Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi about a boy who is determined to be himself, illustrated by Dana Simpson. Nobody seems to understand that Hannah is not a girl. His parents ask why he won't wear the cute outfits they pick out. His friend thinks he must be a tomboy. His teacher insists he should be proud to be a girl. But a birthday wish, a new word, and a stroke of courage might be just what Hannah needs to finally show the world who he really is. A 2021 Rainbow Book List Recommended Reading Selection