Novels about Young Athletes

          Stories about sports are not always just a play by play of the big competition although that is, of course, usually involved.  Frequently, the main character has a problem that may or may not be sports related, and he or she works through it by focusing on his or her athletic prowess and passion for the sport.  Reading these stories will inform readers not only about the sport involved, but more importantly about dealing with problems with integrity and determination. This month I am recommending three new books about young athletes. Golden Arm by acclaimed sportswriter Carl Deuker focuses on Lazarus Weathers, a baseball player whose incredible pitching ability may just be his ticket out of poverty and a dead end future.  Breath Like Water by Anna Jarzab introduces Susanah Ramos, a world champion swimmer, who deals with injuries and an abusive coach, as she strives to make the Olympic team.  In Every Reason We Shouldn't by Sarah Fujimura,  Olivia Kennedy, daughter of Olympic gold medalist skaters, has given up skating after a disastrous first season on the senior Grand Prix circuit.  When Jonah Choi, a speed skater with Olympic dreams, enters her life, she rethinks her decision. 

In Golden Arm Lazarus Weathers, who lives with his mom and half-brother Antonio in a Seattle trailer park, stutters and struggles in school, but comes alive on the baseball field. When his ragtag summer team beats the rich kids across town, his pitching captures the attention of Mr. Thurman, the star player's father.  Hoping to help his son's team win the state title, he recruits Laz to play for his son's high school team.  With the trailer park shutting down and his high school baseball team's program axed, Laz jumps at the opportunity to move in with the Thurmans and get better coaching and capture the attention of major league scouts. Just as things finally seem to be going his way,  Antonio gets involved with dangerous drug dealers and Laz must choose between helping his family and pursuing his dreams.  This complex novel explores poverty and privilege, teamwork and self-reliance, as well as family loyalty and friendship. Readers don't have to be interested in baseball to enjoy this riveting underdog story.

Breath Like Water introduces Susannah Ramos, a world champion swimmer at age 14, who finds herself struggling two years later, trying to adapt to her changing body and a nagging shoulder injury.  Crippled by self-doubt and an abusive coach, she finds herself drawn to Harry, a newcomer to the team whose flirtations are quickly blossoming into romance.  As Susannah fights to regain her elite status and a spot in the upcoming Olympic trials, she must choose between Harry and her dream of becoming an Olympian. Complicating the situation are Harry's struggles with mental illness and Susannah's decision to train with the assistant coach whose approach reaps positive results.  The author, a former competitive swimmer, expertly captures the pressures of being an elite athlete and the vivid details of the swimming events.  In the end Susannah must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice for "two minutes of glory."

Every Reason We Shouldn't finds Olivia Kennedy attempting to transition into being a "normal" teenager at a public high school, after years of training as an elite pairs skater. Once the reigning junior pairs champions, she and her partner hung up their skates after a disappointing first season on the senior pairs circuit. Now Olivia is working at her parents' failing ice rink Ice Dreams and helping her mom who has a nagging back problem brought on by competing as a world champion skater. When speed skating hopeful Jonah Choi books time at Ice Dreams for private lessons, he and Olivia become friends.  He understands what it means to be a competitive teenage athlete and encourages her to rediscover her passion for skating.  As their relationship heats up, Olivia gets back on the ice, working to build the confidence for a comeback.  Witty banter, well-developed secondary characters, a charming multicultural romance, as well as the exploration of the sacrifices required to be an elite skater, make this novel a delightful read.