Skating Showdown

By Jake Maddox and Andrea Gianopoulos

Grace is thrilled when her figure skating coach enters her in a local competition. But when she sees another skater practicing, Grace realizes she'll have some difficult competition. She psyches herself out so much that she starts messing up the moves she already knows. Can Grace remember why she loved skating before the skating showdown?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781434265470

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

TEAM

CHAPTER 1

ENTERING THE COMPETITION

Grace tried not to yawn as she leaned down to lace up her skates before stepping onto the ice. Waking up early for morning practice wasn’t easy. But when she hit the ice, she was immediately energized.

Coach Roberts was running late, and Grace was excited to have the rink to herself for a few minutes. First she warmed up without her music. She pushed off with her right foot, then her left, skating smoothly across the ice.

Once her leg muscles felt loose, Grace raised one foot off the ice and practiced gliding on the opposite foot.

I can’t believe how hard this move seemed when I first started skating, Grace thought. It seems like forever ago.

Grace closed her eyes as she glided with both feet on the ice. She heard clapping behind her and turned to see Coach Roberts standing off to the side watching.

I see you’re already warming up, Coach Roberts said with a smile. You’re my most dedicated skater.

Grace smiled. Thanks, she said. I was just thinking about how hard this used to be. She stepped off of the ice and pulled on her skate guards. Then she walked over and joined her coach on a bench.

Coach Roberts smiled. You’ve definitely come a long way, he agreed. Which is why I think you’d be perfect for this. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

Grace saw the words YOUTH EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION printed across the top of the paper. Her heart jumped with excitement. She’d been in exhibitions before but never a competition.

I’ve been thinking for a while now that we should enter you in a competition, and this one is right in River City, Coach Roberts said. I think you could do really well in it.

Reviews for Skating Showdown

[cinaturally · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

cool book