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Children's Fiction General

Topspin

by (author) Sonya Spreen Bates

Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Initial publish date
Nov 2013
Category
General, Law & Crime, Mysteries & Detective Stories
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781459803855
    Publish Date
    Nov 2013
    List Price
    $9.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459803879
    Publish Date
    Nov 2013
    List Price
    $8.99

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Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 9 to 12
  • Grade: 4 to 7
  • Reading age: 9 to 12

Description

Kat is thrilled to be competing in a junior tennis championship at Melbourne Park for the first time. But things are off to a horrible start. Her doubles partner, Miri, is sneaking around at night and asking Kat to cover for her. She's also playing terribly, almost costing them their match. Miri's boyfriend, Hamish, one of the top competitors, seems unaware of her unusual behavior. When strange things begin happening to throw off Hamish's game, Kat suspects that Miri may be involved. Who is trying to sabotage Hamish? And can Kat put a stop to the plot before it's too late?

About the author

Awards

  • Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
  • Commended, Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection

Editorial Reviews

"This fast-paced read will surely appeal to reluctant teen [readers] that enjoy a combination of sports and mystery. An easy pick for upper middle school and high school readers."

Lower Columbia Review Group WLMA

"Interspersed with this fun, fast paced mystery, Topspin also treats readers to exhilarating tennis sequences...Kat is an intelligent and likeable character whose commitment to her chosen sport is very appealing. Her sleuthing while off the court is as enjoyable and suspense-filled as the best literary female detectives. Action abounds both on and off the courts, speeding the reader along to a satisfying conclusion in this new Orca Sports novel, perfect for, but not limited in appeal to ‘tween reluctant readers...Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

"A well-paced, engaging and believable story."

Resource Links

"Bates doesn’t hold back on action, whether athletic or otherwise. Cheating, blackmail, and drugs make for a scandalous romp in the usually squeaky clean world of tennis. Matches are recalled at breathless speed...[Kat] is an enthusiastic narrator and keeps the stakes of each bout high...Tennis fans should find plenty to cheer about in this sporty endeavor."

Booklist

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