In these latest additions to the popular sports-themed chapter books for kids, readers will meet a girl who joins a boys’ football team at her new middle school, a soccer player who must learn to play with his teammates in mind, a softball player who struggles mightily with her temper and impulsive decisions, and a Cherokee boy who deals with some bullies on his new lacrosse team. These first chapter books dig a little deeper into the subject of sports, focusing on players’ relationships with each other and themselves, exploring the why and not just the what of the game. Black-and-white illustrations are frequent, and while multiple paragraphs appear on each spread, the text is spaced just enough for newly independent chapter book readers. A glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and more information about each sport are appended.

VERDICT: Purchase where the Jake Maddox sports books are popular or collections where books about lesser-known sports like lacrosse need representation.