SOCCER BUGS is a sports book for young readers that combines fast-paced soccer action with powerful social issues -- including bullying, diversity, divorce, memory loss and identity. Set in small-town Illinois, the ghost of Abe Lincoln and his dog Fido offer a twist that is both entertaining and educational. Ten year old Rio Planck witnesses first-hand how his adopted grandpa molds a ragtag bunch of rejects into a championship soccer team. When their aging coach can no longer be with them, the young players use the lessons they've learned on and off the field to complete their surprising season in spectacular, nail-biting fashion.
OKLAHOMA SHAKE is Bo Rush's latest sports fiction book for middle grade readers. Like all Bo Rush books, OKLAHOMA SHAKE uses sports to celebrate diversity and inclusion, grapple with important life lessons, and reaffirm important values like courage, determination, and friendship. 12-year-old Guthrie Gore's life is upended when her mother dies while training for a triathlon. Guthrie is uprooted from her home in Oregon's "City of Roses" and sent to an Oklahoma oil town that is the "Small Earthquake Capital of the USA"--And the home of Norman C. Moore, Guthrie's cardboard cutout father who hasn't seen her since the day she was born. The coach of the Oasis High cross country team notices Guthrie's running ability and selects her as a last-minute replacement for one of his injured runners -- even though she's only in 7th grade! Not only does Guthrie help the team win their first-ever county championship, she qualifies for the state meet! Teammate Bethany Bixby, a three-time state runner-up, helps Guthrie prepare for the state championship by racing up steps in the school gym. Their final workout ends when a 6.8 earthquake destroys the old gym and nearly kills them both. Remembering the life lessons she learned from her mother, Guthrie overcomes struggles at home and on the racecourse. She discovers that, even when life knocks you down, great things can happen if you get back up and keep running. How many times can a kid get back up when life keeps knocking her down? In OKLAHOMA SHAKE Guthrie Gore answers that question -- and inspires all of us!
