First published 2008
A basketball player lines up for the perfect shot. A girl who thinks she's too heavy discovers what running really means. An athlete faces a comeback after injury. These nine stories capture young people pushing their limits in sports from basketball and track to martial arts and dirt bike racing. Joseph Bruchac writes about basketball dreams in "SWISH." Lynea Bowdish explores self-doubt and determination in "Fat girls don't run." David Lubar shows resilience in "Bounce-back." Terry Trueman contributes "H-O-R-S-E." Other writers tackle dirt bike adventures, surfing, white water challenges, and more. Each athlete confronts moments that test not just physical skill but inner strength. The stories reveal how sports become a way to discover who you really are when everything is on the line.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, sports, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, overcoming-adversity
112 pages · Hardcover · Darby Creek Pub