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Neil Arksey
Flint's a natural soccer player - but his dad won't let him play. He has to help his dad in his criminal life instead. Can he take his chances and make everything ok?
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Philip
Fleur Beale
 Linc's father has left to live in Antarctica for a year. While he is away things slowly start to fall apart. Linc has discovered the freedom of riding motocross bikes - but his brother Glenn is getting into trouble. Even though he tries really hard, Linc feels like he'll never be as good as the rider in yellow. When his father is rushed to hospital and their mother to his side, Linc must become the man of the house. In a single moment he will learn what it means to be afraid because Glenn's new friends don't like competition - especially family.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Erika
Fleur Beale
Greg is the odd one out in his family - a normal person surrounded by brains. The one thing that Greg is really interested in is cars, but his parents aren't interested. Frustrated, Greg decides to make some changes in his life. Things fall into place when he meets Brad and Holly Chatterton. Now Greg has a job and his own money - and Brad wants him to be co-driver for his rally car! It's like a dream come true for Greg, he gets to fly in a rally car. Things are sweet - then he sees a car for sale that would be perfect as a rally car for himself.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Erika
Fleur Beale
Greg is not like the rest of his family. They are all brainy and do well at school. Greg likes cars, he wants to be a rally driver and this does not go down well with his parents. When Mum wants him to repeat his 5th form year, that is it. It’s time to rebel and make a stand.
Fate intervenes, and Greg finds some likeminded grownup friends who mentor him, give him work after school in their workshop and yes, eventually he gets to be in the car rally. It takes a bit of time but as the story unfolds it is great to see him reach his goals, gain meaningful employment and be seen as a valued member of the rally team. It’s not until his rally driving skills save the family that everyone comes to appreciate what a talented person he is. Most importantly, Dad must have been written for all those people who don’t fit into the main stream of school and have wonderful talents in other areas that are of equal value. We need our trades people and rally drivers and need to celebrate our differences, especially within families.
Recommended by Doreen
G Brassi
Angie has become mum to her younger brother and sister while her mother works nights and has a good time on her days off. The only chance Angie has to enjoy herself are the water skiing trips down to the river. She loves to slice through the water on the skis - but deep down there is a fear of the river and the dark things that lurk there. Her mother has no real reason to complain - until the day of the accident. Angie is struggling to be herself and a mother. As her world collapses Angie feels the pain and rage growing - ready to explode in a moment.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Erika
Cath Crowley
Gracie’s soccer team is off to the national champs, but the rest of her life is just getting more interesting. There’s the boy of her dreams – and an embarrassing incident, her best friend has moved, and her parents are about to make things even worse. Not to mention the fact that some of the boys on the team don’t want her on it.
Recommended for ages 13+
Reviewed by Annie
Chris Crutcher
Eric Calhoune, known as Moby to all his friends, is a fat swimmer. Sarah Byrnes pulled a pot of boiling spaghetti over her face and hands when she was three. They're inseparable because of their "terminal uglies". But what happens when Moby can lose weight, but Sarah Byrnes can't change her face? All through their final year of school Eric and Sarah learn a lot about their friendship and their past. But what is the deal with Sarah Byrnes' scary, scary father?
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Chris Crutcher
TJ Jones is one of the three black people in his town. He is adopted by two white people, and his biological mother was a drug addict. He doesn't belong to high school sports teams even though he has an abundance of talent. One day a teacher approaches him about starting up a school swim team. TJ gets together the misfits of the school in an effort to downgrade the letter jackets the school jocks are so proud of. He is so determined to see all of his team in letter jackets, he is prepared to sacrifice his own. Throughout all odds the team sticks together and practices in unsuitable conditions. The book is very well written with little subplots that all link together near the end.
Best character: Chris Coughlin
Rebecca, 15
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Sis Deans
Ricky's trying to avoid the bullies at school - so he runs to and from school instead of catching the bus. He starts to get good at it, too - maybe he could even beat the bus home - and he likes the definition of a long distance runner. But, no matter how fast you run - your past is always there. Ricky comes to realise that maybe it's best to confront your past - and deal with it - instead of racing it.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Narinder Dhami
Jess has a dream that she is playing world class football like her idol Beckham. She can almost reach out and taste it - except for the problem that she is an Indian girl and comes from a very traditional family. With the help of her sister Pinky and new friend Jules, Jess has a chance to play football and maybe even be seen by a scout from America - and then there is the very hunky Joe to dream about too.
The novelisation of the hit movie - and not to be missed by anyone who likes sports, likes to laugh, or wants to have some fun.
Recommended for 12+
Reviewed by Erika
Steve Dickinson
Jenna is gutted when she gets kicked out of the rugby team because she's a girl. She is determined to show the guys that girls can compete at the same level and turns to surfing, helped by the mysterious Mickey. I don't even like swimming but believe me, this book is exciting. I was there with Jenna as she battled with monster waves and I really began to understand the psychology of the surfer and their relationship with the sea.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Trish
Tessa Duder
It is 1959. Alex is fifteen. This is the year she must beat her arch-rival Maggie to be selected for the NZ swimming team to go to the Olympic Games in Rome. She has spent the past six years training hard - but so has Maggie.
This is the inside scoop on what it's like to be a teenager, with all the usual family and personal life dramas happening but also have the extra pressure to train and win in a competitive sport. It's a diary of her thoughts and feelings through the challenges she must overcome to reach her goal.
This book was turned into a film - available on DVD - you can also read about this in The making of Alex the movie.
Reviewed by Karen at Otahuhu
James Duplacey
A really good introduction to the life of Ali - arguably the most famous boxer of all time. His story is told from the very beginnings through to his public appearances in the late 1990s.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
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Catherine Forde
According to Jimmy it’s God’s sick joke that he – the fat boy, the blob – is so skilled in the kitchen. It’s so sick that only his mum and aunt know. When GI Joe – the coach – wants his help to raise funds, Jimmy thinks it’s his cooking skills that are needed. But no, GI Joe wants him to swim. When he does, he finds out the truth about a lot of things – like his parentage – and the strength to stand up to the bullies.
Recommended for 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Russell Gray
A great backgrounder to Irene's life and how she got to be the top goalshooter in the world, and why she came to New Zealand. Also, a good introduction to life in modern day South Africa.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Bernadette Hellard and Lisa Gibbs
This is a netballing story inspiring young people to pursue their dreams.
Rachel is 17 and is the youngest Australian player to be selected for the Commonwealth Games. She is hard working and determined to bring home a gold medal.
This book observes perseverance and determination as well as hope and having a goal.
Agnes, 13
David Hill
Neale’s into archery but his temper keeps getting the better of him. So now he’s up in the back blocks – hours away from help – with Kane, trying to prove what’s better a gun or a bow. If that was all they had to worry about, it would be good.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
David Hill
Here is a book that is unlike any I have read. Though fairly short it offers a quick peak into strange worlds and alternate states of reality.
Kit is a lonely boy who convinces himself that only through running can he find true happiness (perhaps he is running to escape). His parents are fighting and the other kids at his school shun him and his athletic achievements.
However one day a dark cloud descends upon him as he runs along a familiar route. Somehow Kit is whisked away into a world that appears to be his own but is also strangely different. He enters this world and a race where people seem to depend upon him and give him hope and determination.
It is also in this other realm that he encounters a strange girl called Alrika. Somehow she seems to share his secret and it appears that only together can they unravel the mystery of their otherworldly situation.
From beginning to end the book reads at a quick pace. I sometimes felt that I was also running beside them, book in hand! So if you're into a quick snappy ride take a look at Time out, you may need some once you have finished.
Reviewed by Tamzin, Blockhouse Bay Library
V.M. Jones
Josh Cranford is really into sport and he's good at it too. Except for swimming. He can't swim. Although one day he is told about the Energex Iron Kid Triathlon. He wants to do the triathlon as an individual so he asks Mr. Mitch the relief teacher to teach him to swim. Josh enters the triathlon and practices so he can win and beat his rival Shane.
Best character: Mr Mitch
Jayna, 15
Steve Kluger
Joey needs a hero and he picks Charlie – the new and much-praised baseball player for the New York Giants. Joey wants more than just an autograph – he’s a kid who needs a father figure. It’s the 1940s and war is on the horizon for America. The growing conflict forms the backdrop to the growing relationship between Joey and Charlie. It’s a reasonably quick read – as it’s pretty much all told through letters.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Gordon Korman
 This book is very interesting as it is about a real life situation, I also found it interesting because I like adventure, adventures etc. In this book the main character Chris wins a trip to the top of the world (Mt Everest). He goes to the boot camp to see if he's in for the team. They trained in a gym for at least three hours a day. Will he make the cut?... read it to find out!
Andrew, 13
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Walter Dean Myers
17-year-old Greg also known as Slam now goes to Latimer. At Latimer his grades are bad especially in maths and his basketball coach doesn't really like him. At home Slam's grandmother is in hospital and a really good friend of his, Ice, is giving Slam suspicions he is dealing. After winning the basketball game against Carver he's coach finally respect him.
Best character: Greg "Slam" Harris
Jayna, 15
Gary Paulsen
Welcome to the weird and twisted world of Gary's childhood - and the weird and twisted things his friends did to keep themselves amused. The weirdest thing is - it's all true.
Warning: don't read when you're supposed to be quiet.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by John
Mal Peet
El Gato - the Cat - is the world's greatest goalkeeper. He tells his friend, the journalist Paul, the story of how he learnt the game. He was coached by a ghost in a forest clearing. Trained to be the greatest - to help the dead rest.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Mal Peet
El Brujito, the Little Magician, a football prodigy has vanished somewhere in San Juan. Paul Faustino, sports journalist tries to solve the mystery.
More than a sports story - it's a tale of history, slavery and corruption.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
A father and daughter with nothing in common strike a quick bargain - he will read a book with her, but she has to play a sport with him. They both think the other is going to play fair, but when dad decides to read a book about sports, Faith gets even.
Greg is a real cricket whiz, about to go on a hot date with one of the most popular girls around - only now he has a pimple the size of a cricket ball on his nose.
Freddie Bone is an unlikely hero, the fat boy who can't keep up with the rest of the swimmers but tries anyway. When a mid-winter swim is organised to raise money for breast cancer research Freddie gets lots of sponsors because no one thinks that he will manage to swim more than a few laps - but Freddie has a surprise for them all.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Erika
Matthew Reilly
Jason, his brother Bug, and their hover car the Argonaut, patched together out of bits and pieces, have a chance to make it to the International Race School in Tasmania. But first they have to survive the qualifying race.
First published as an online serial – this book is best read in 8 chunks.
And, if you want, you can print out and make an Argonaut of your own.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Mark Richardson
Mark ‘Rigor’ Richardson, former test opener, talks about his up-and-down cricketing career – the thought processes that he used to change him from bowler to world-class opening bat – to the negative thoughts that, at times, overtook him.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
James Riordan
Based on a true story. This is the story of Vova who is prepared to die for his country for winning a football match. To find out more information on the team and the game, read this Guardian newspaper article.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Michael Shafran
Great and clear instructions on how to improve your skating skills.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
Doug Werner with Steve Badillo
This book is an instructional guide to appeal to novice and intermediate riders. There are chapters on equipment, safety and techniques. The main part is: 14 tricks every skater should know.
Sione, 13
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Muhammad Ali 
Skate! your guide to inline, aggressive, vert, street, roller hockey, speed skating, dance, fitness training, and more 
