Track Troubles (Jake Maddox)

Track Troubles (Jake Maddox)

Last year, Belle was the fastest runner on her team. This year, she's determined to stay on top—to stay the team's GOAT. So when two new, superfast runners join the team and beat her in practice, Belle starts to worry. But she's got a plan. She'll train hard—she and her friend Mikey. But Belle's plan becomes too much, putting a strain on her body, her friendship, and her role on the team. In these latest additions to this ­popular series, readers go deep into the emotional impact of playing sports. In Track Troubles, a young runner is ­uncomfortable with losing her spot as the "GOAT" on the team and starts pushing herself too hard. In Wrestling Rivals, a wrestler is shocked and dismayed when his biggest rival joins his team and threatens his spot as the best. Slightly older fans of sports fiction will ­appreciate this deeper look at what it takes to stay positive and focused while ­competing in team sports. A glossary, ­discussion questions, writing prompts, and some facts about the sport are appended. VERDICT ­Recommended for collections where the other Jake ­Maddox books are in demand.-- "School Library Journal" Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler - or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps - literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers. Mario Gushiken is a digital artist from São Paulo, Brazil. Drawing was always a hobby for him as a child, and he is very happy to have turned it into his career. Cartoon animations and video games from the 1990s and the 2000s were his main references when he started drawing. In 2014, Mario began working as a graphic designer and illustrator, and he became a full-time freelance illustrator in 2020. During his career, Mario has worked in animation, advertising, editorial, and today he is focused on the publishing industry. In his spare time, Mario likes to hang out with friends and play video games.