The Jake Maddox JV series introduces two new stories centered around basketball and skateboarding, each featuring different characters and challenges. Themes of friendship and adjusting to new environments are central to both titles, making them relatable for middle school readers. In one story, a country boy spends the summer with his cousin in the city, where he must quickly adapt to the faster-paced style of basketball. In the other, a skateboarder faces the challenge of an old friend who has befriended bullies, who doubt her skills simply because she’s a girl. Both books contain 10 chapters, and each includes discussion questions, writing prompts, a glossary of challenging words, and facts about the featured sport, making them interactive and engaging reads.

VERDICT: A solid addition to collections where sports-themed chapter books are popular.