Fifth grade is turned upside for two best friends when a spunky new student joins their class in this illustrated middle grade novel—the second book in the funny and engaging Rip and Red series. Just when they think they've got the hang of things, Rip and Red find that fifth grade continues to challenge them in head-spinning ways. Tiki, a new girl whose Egyptian dad is an animal-rights activist, has just joined their class. She's charismatic, funny—and she's got game! Rip has his world turned upside down as Tiki proves to be tough competition on the Clifton United basketball team and leads a rebellion against the lousy new food service in the school cafeteria. Red, who has autism, is struggling with the upheavals as well. But as these two funky and funny best friends discover, sometimes radical change is the right move, on the court and off. With an energetic and authentic story from author Phil Bildner and dynamic black-and-white illustrations from Tim Probert, Rookie of the Year is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship. Featuring a diverse cast of characters and an array of kid-friendly discussable topics, this series is perfect for reluctant readers and in-class or independent reading. Don’t miss any of Rip and Red’s adventures for elementary and middle school readers ages 8-12: ● A Whole New Ballgame ● Rookie of the Year ● Tournament of Champions ● Most Valuable Players

A classic quartet of baseball stories, repackaged for a new generation.

Profiles of every rookie to win the award, from the storied Jackie Robinson to the short career of Joe Charboneau, to today's current super stars.

A school, sports, and friendship story perfect for fans of Mike Lupica's Comeback Kids.

Maura Richards can organize a job fair like nobody’s business, but weddings are a different story—especially the Kansas City social event of the year, her marriage to local hero and NFL superstar Jet Knox. Handing that responsibility to Gloria, her formidable future mother-in-law, Maura focuses on her career, her fiancé, football… and not losing her nerve. The closer she gets to tying the knot, the more her wedding—and her future—tie her stomach in knots. But standing up to a master manipulator like Gloria Knox hardly seems like the best way to blend in with her new family. So Maura tastes cakes, talks centerpieces, and poses for photos, despite her mounting panic. If football has taught her anything, it’s that the best offense is a good defense, but she’s running out of plays and may need to call on the quarterback to launch a Hail Mary. The question is, will Maura show up in the end zone to catch his pass?

DIVThe Brooklyn Dodgers finally have a shot at the pennant—if they can stay together as a team/divDIV /divDIVIt’s Spike Russell’s second year in the majors with his brother, Bob, and the Brooklyn Dodgers are in the pennant race, thanks in part to rookie pitcher Bones Hathaway. Spike is finding it difficult to balance playing shortstop and managing the players, but he knows he’s up for the challenge./divDIV /divDIVBut when the club secretary, Bill Hanson, starts criticizing Spike’s managerial skills and implying that the young manager is running the team into the ground, the crew Spike had such high hopes for begins to fall apart. Spike will have to prove himself to his teammates to regain their trust and lead them to victory./div

Published for devotees of the cowboy and the West, American Cowboy covers all aspects of the Western lifestyle, delivering the best in entertainment, personalities, travel, rodeo action, human interest, art, poetry, fashion, food, horsemanship, history, and every other facet of Western culture. With stunning photography and you-are-there reportage, American Cowboy immerses readers in the cowboy life and the magic that is the great American West.