Rebound Time

By Jake Maddox and Andrea Gianopoulos

After her parents' divorce, Sarit's dad moved across the country for his new job. Sarit feels lost without him there. To make things worse, her dad was also her basketball coach. Now that he's gone, Sarit doesn't even want to play basketball anymore. Can Sarit learn to love the game without her dad on the sidelines?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781434265487

Jake Maddox

Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler – or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps – literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers.

Book preview

COURT

Chapter 1

A HARD ADJUSTMENT

Sitting on a bench in the Greenville Middle School locker room, Sarit leaned down and laced up her white basketball shoes. The locker room was full of girls getting ready for the first basketball practice of the new season. They were all laughing and chattering excitedly.

But Sarit was silent. She didn’t want to go out onto the court. Ever since her dad had moved across the country, she didn’t want to play at all.

Her twin sister, Allie, looked over at her. Hey, it’s okay, Allie said. I know it’ll be hard to practice without Dad, but Coach Ritz seems really nice.

Sarit didn’t reply. She didn’t understand why her sister wasn’t more upset. Their father had been the coach for their basketball team, the Cowboys, since they’d started playing in fourth grade.

But then last year their parents had divorced, and their dad had moved to the other side of the country for a new job.

Sarit had never played basketball without her father on the court. She wasn’t even sure she knew how to play without him there. Basketball practice was the time they’d always spent together. Now he was gone. Basketball was still there, but it no longer seemed like any fun.

Come on, guys, Coach wants to start! one of the players called. The other girls hurried out of the locker room. Sarit didn’t move.

Aren’t you coming out? Allie asked, looking worried.

Sarit nodded. Just give me a minute, okay? she said quietly. I’ll be right there. Promise.

Okay, Allie said slowly. I’ll be on the court. With one final, worried look at her sister, Allie followed the rest of the team out of the locker room.

Sarit stayed on the bench in the empty locker room after her sister left. Through the door, she could hear the new coach’s voice calling out instructions as the team ran drills. He sounded nice