Comments on: Dear Publishers: SPORTS, PLEASE.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:29:52 +0000

Check out the series Broadway Ballplayers by Maureen Holohan

By: jano

jano — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:23:46 +0000

Hi there Melissa – I’m not sure what you mean by “middle-grade” but there’s a series in Australia called “Go Girl” which has sporty girls as the norm – not being ostracised, not being treated as weird. My 7yo can read them so maybe they’re a bit young for what you’re looking for, but here’s what looks like an official site – http://gogirlhq.com/home/default.asp

(check out Lunchtime Rules for an example).

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:57:41 +0000

Me again. Another author who’s done some recent girl-oriented, upper-MG sports books is Dawn Fitzgerald. My library has Getting in the Game and Soccer Chick Rules.

By: Doret

Doret — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:42:58 +0000

I am glad am reading this on a Sunday because you’re straight preaching. If you seed out a petition to the powers that be, I’ll sign it. The Girl Who Threw Butterflies was very good. I am tired of girls just being secondary characters on boy sport books. Or hearing of a great series from the 90’s. Really? Its 2009 you’d think publishers would release more sports books featuring girls. I always feel like crap when a girl comes to bookstore right from soccer field with cleats and all, looking for a sports book and I’ve got nothing.
But heres one to look forward to a new YA author Bobbie Pyron has a book slated to come out later this year The Ring, about a female boxer.

By: Diana Peterfreund

Diana Peterfreund — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:08:13 +0000

Did you check out Justine Larbalestier’s HOW TO DITCH YOUR FAIRY? It is a fantasy, but it’s set at a sports magnet school and everyone is an awesome jock and their sports are a big part of the story. Also, very middle-school friendly.

By: Tez Miller

Tez Miller — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:31:48 +0000

In the ’90s (I think), Tessa Duder had a series about a swimmer. New Zealander, I think, thus maybe they were only published down here.

Lisa Forrest’s first novel was also about a swimmer, but an Australian. Can’t remember the title, though; sorry.

By: Lisa Chellman

Lisa Chellman — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:23:44 +0000

Donna King has a half-dozen sports books that have come out in the past two years, each covering a different sport. That's a paperback not-exactly-series for upper middle grade that I've been ordering for my library. Beyond that, No Cream Puffs, by Day; Throwing Like a Girl, by Weezie Kerr Mackey; The Girl Who Threw Butterflies, by Mick Cochrance; Boost, by Katheryn Mackel (haven't read that one yet). It's true, there's not a lot.

By: Keri

Keri — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:06:09 +0000

PrettyTOUGH by Liz Tigelaar is a great soccer story for girls. She has another one Playing with the Boys (I think) but I haven’t read that one.

There was a great middle grade series called the Gymnasts when I was growing up. It’s super out of print, but I loved those books.

I’d like a few more sports books for teen boys that aren’t about team hazing or steroids.