From the author of the boisterous, bawdy, sharp-witted (The Philadelphia Inquirer) national bestseller comes another deliciously wicked tale of contemporary professional sports.

    Through his wildly popular series Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Kane Chronicles, 39 Clues, and The Heroes of Olympus, Riordan has sparked young readers interest in world mythology and literature, a renewed fascination that is reinforced by film adaptations, toys, games, and other tie-ins. As a child, Riordan thought of books as too difficult to read and, in the end, not very interesting or worth the effortin fact, he grew up as a reluctant reader who didnt like books. While Riordan did eventually grow to love both reading and writing, it was a long journey for him. He has now found enormous success as a writer and storyteller. When he noticed his own young son struggling with reading, Riordan was able to capture his attention in the same way that he had finally been hookedthrough an interest in the otherworldly appeal of mythology. It was from these bedtime stories that he told to his son that the Percy Jackson series was born. The series not only helped to capture his sons imagination, it started a very successful career for Riordan as a young adult writer. Today, not only do Percy Jackson fans eagerly await another movie installment of the bestselling books, but increasing hype surrounds the film adaptations of the Kane Chronicles and The 39 Clues, too. Behind all of these impressive tokens of fame and success lie very humble beginnings. The stories millions of children love today came from the mind of just one man. This is Riordans inspiring story, one that is every bit as intriguing, dramatic, motivational, and full of unexpected twists and turns as any of his beloved and fantastical works of fiction. This volume includes fact

    He sprains his ankle and wonders how he will hit homers--or even singles--when every swing means pain.

    Especially for inner-city black kids like Derrick Bowen. He's a 6'3" freshman, lightning quick, and he can slam the rock. He wants to start at point guard for Marion High, but senior Nick Starks has that nailed down. Besides, the coach is old school. He thinks D-Bow needs to work on his game, his shot, and his attitude. That means bench time. And that's when Hamilton Academy, the elite school in the suburbs, comes sniffing around. They want D-Bow for the next three years. His mom wants no part of that. But his father needs a job, and Uncle Kid, who is a bitter ex-star at Marion High, has his own plans. Yeah, there's a pretty girl and a best friend in the mix. Plus plenty of basketball action and suspense just like high school boys like to read.Kevin Waltman, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, was a high school player and remains a huge basketball fan. Next is his third YA novel. His first two, both from Scholastic, are Nowhere Fast (2002) and Learning the Game (2005). Kevin is an instructor at the University of Alabama where he lives with his wife Jessica, their daughter Calla, and their dog Henry.

    When the clients, a reckless boy Julie's age and his equally foolhardy father, disregard Julie's instructions during the dive, she quickly realizes she's in over her head.And once she surfaces, things only get worse: One of the clients is in serious condition, and their dive boat has vanished--along with Julie's father, the only person who knows their whereabouts. It's only a matter of time before they die of hypothermia, unless they become shark bait first. Though Julie may not like her clients, it's up to her to save them all.

    The truth is, he's not trying to be anyone's hero. Anthony Castillo needs a new life. His teachers are clueless autocrats except for Mr. Darren, who’s in charge of the rock band program. The girls at school are either shallow cutebots or out of his league. And his parents mean well, but they just make things worse. It’s as if Anthony is stuck on the bottom level of his favorite video game, Liberation Force 4.5. Except there is no secret escape tunnel and definitely no cheat code. Fed up, pissed off, and feeling trapped, Anthony writes his first song for his rock band, the Rusty Soles. His only problem: Arts Night. If he exercises his right to free speech and sings his original lyrics—where his own bombs will drop—he and his band will be through. The clock is ticking. Time for Anthony to pick his battles and decide what’s really worth fighting for.

    Everything is off to a strong start—until one of the key players on the team is benched for academic probation. Without good grades there is no playing time. No exceptions. Ever. Will the team’s hopes for the season be demolished, or can they find a way to help their teammate get his grades up? Fortunately for the Barber brothers, it turns out that the team that plays together can study together too.

    (Their motto, "We are SEW FAB"). But when her daring fashion and stellar grades turn the Fab A-listers green with envy, Mickey discovers that standing out doesn't always make it easy to fit in. So when friendly classmate JC comes up with a plan to help Mickey fit in, she decides to take the ultimate fashion risk-ditch her personal style for good.One mega makeover later, pink-haired Mickey Williams mysteriously disappears, and the trendy, blonde "Kenzie Wills" shows up on the FAB scene, blending with the other students in a way Mickey never could. But when Mickey starts to lose herself to "Kenzie," she's not sure that fitting in is worth cutting herself down to size...

    His accomplishments on and off the court will appeal to a wide audience-especially boys. He's the perfect person to lead with as the I AM series expands to include more current subjects.The updated I AM series features full-color illustrated covers, and a mix of photos and illustrations throughout the interiors. A timeline, an introduction to the people you'll meet in the book, maps, sidebars, and a top ten list of important things to know help young readers understand the text and align the series with Common Core State Standards.

    The things that really matter lie far below. – Peak MarcelloAfter fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello is arrested for scaling a New York City skyscraper, he's left with two choices: wither away in Juvenile Detention or go live with his long-lost father, who runs a climbing company in Thailand. But Peak quickly learns that his father's renewed interest in him has strings attached. Big strings. As owner of Peak Expeditions, he wants his son to be the youngest person to reach the Everest summit--and his motives are selfish at best. Even so, for a climbing addict like Peak, tackling Everest is the challenge of a lifetime. But it's also one that could cost him his life.Roland Smith has created an action-packed adventure about friendship, sacrifice, family, and the drive to take on Everest, despite the incredible risk. The story of Peak’s dangerous ascent—told in his own words—is suspenseful, immediate, and impossible to put down.

    From the award-winning author of "Night Hoops" and "Painting the Black" comes this suspenseful, psychologically astute novel with themes of terrorism and patriotism, fear and courage.

    Marcus is black; Eddie is white. Stars of their school basketball team, they are true leaders who look past the stereotypes and come out on top. They are inseparable, watching each other's backs, both on and off the basketball court. But one night—and one wrong decision—will change their lives forever. Will their mistake cost them their friendship . . . and their future?An ALA Best Book for Young AdultsAn ALA Quick Pick “Top Ten”IRA Children’s Book Award (Young Adult)

    As a foster kid in a cruel home, he knows his dream of one day playing in the NFL is a long shot.Then Harrison is brought into a new home with kind, loving parents—his new dad is even a football coach. Harrison's big build and his incredible determination quickly make him a star running back on the junior high school team.On the field, he's practically unstoppable. But Harrison's good luck can't last forever. When a routine sports injury leads to a devastating diagnosis, it will take every ounce of Harrison's determination not to give up for good.

    She doesn't even know what she's afraid of, really. Only that if she raises her voice or leaves her mark or ventures too far from home, she'll risk falling flat on her face.But that all changes when Wren's cousin Silver walks into her life. Silver is totally fearless. Maybe that's why she's the most popular girl in the sixth grade. She dares Wren to take risks, to live out loud, to finally spread her wings. So when Silver decides to break all the rules, Wren is forced to make a choice: Is she in or is she out?There's only one way Wren will ever learn to fly. It's time for her to stand at the edge of the unknown . . . and jump.Full of heartache and hope, The World From Up Here is a tender, moving story about old secrets, new friendships, and what it means to face the things that scare us most.

    Ted has a dog named Fred. Fred does not like Ed. When Fred bites Ed's head, animosity is spread! This laugh-out-loud story from the popular and hilarious collection The Cat on the Mat Is Flat is now adapted as a stand-alone for beginning readers.