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Athlete vs. Mathlete #1
Athlete vs. Mathlete
Owen Evans lights up the scoreboards. His brother, Russell, rocks the school boards. These twin brothers couldn't be more different. They've long kept the peace by going their separate ways, but all that is about to change. The new basketball coach recruits Russell for the seventh grade team and a jealous Owen has to fight to stay in the game. When someone tries to steal Russell's spot as captain of the mathlete team, will the two be able to put aside their differences in order to save his position? Or will they be sidelined?
Perfect for fans of Matt Christopher and Andrew Clements alike, this is a lighthearted and hilarious look at what happens when brains meets brawn meets basketball.
Perfect for fans of Matt Christopher and Andrew Clements alike, this is a lighthearted and hilarious look at what happens when brains meets brawn meets basketball.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2013
127 people are currently reading
1093 people want to read
About the author
W.C. Mack
10 books26 followersW. C. Mack was born in Vancouver., B.C. and now lives in Portland, Oregon. She also writes as Winnie Mack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
September 17, 2018
'Athlete vs Mathlete' by W.C Mack is the story of two twins learning how they can like the same thing. The book reminds of a similar book 'The Crossover' by Kwame Alexander and how it involves twins and basketball with a similar story structure. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys basketball or has a sibling.
April 23, 2014
Athlete vs Mathlete review
Genre: Sports/Realistic
AR level: 3.9
Grade appropriate: 3rd and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 3/5-- It was a fine book. It addresses sibling rivalry and treating others with respect. (Don't worry! I won't tell the kids that! They'd never read it!)
Creativity: 3/5-- Basic sibling rivalry, nerd proves himself as an athlete and his school and family dynamics change.
Characters: 5/5-- Boys were likable and realistic.
Engrossing: 5/5-- It is definitely written for kids so while that's a good thing, Disney made for TV movies don't really appeal to me either. The kids will like it.
Writing: 3/5
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- Our kids who like the sports genre will like it and it reminded me of High School Musical (minus the romance.) If I can convince kids that's what it's like they'll give it a chance.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5-- Short and sweet.
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Genre: Sports/Realistic
AR level: 3.9
Grade appropriate: 3rd and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 3/5-- It was a fine book. It addresses sibling rivalry and treating others with respect. (Don't worry! I won't tell the kids that! They'd never read it!)
Creativity: 3/5-- Basic sibling rivalry, nerd proves himself as an athlete and his school and family dynamics change.
Characters: 5/5-- Boys were likable and realistic.
Engrossing: 5/5-- It is definitely written for kids so while that's a good thing, Disney made for TV movies don't really appeal to me either. The kids will like it.
Writing: 3/5
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- Our kids who like the sports genre will like it and it reminded me of High School Musical (minus the romance.) If I can convince kids that's what it's like they'll give it a chance.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5-- Short and sweet.
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
April 3, 2015
This book is about two fraternal twins, Owen and Russel . Owen plays basketball and Russel is in Masters of the mind.(A club for the geeks) One day Owens coach sees Russ and asks him if he could try out for the team because he's tall! Well Russel doesn't play basketball! Owen and his dad start training him for tryouts. A few days later Russ is up on the court playing a basketball game with Owen! But soon Owen gets jealous of Russels good playing,jump shots,and shiny Nikes. So Owen does something that makes Russ so mad he stops playing for a while. Russ does not want to go back because he has so much things going on, such as homework, grades, and even Master Of the Mind egg Dropping challenge! Read to find out the conclusion of this book!
February 2, 2018
The theme in this book is you can change who you are you aren't glued into one identity forever
June 2, 2013
Richie's Picks: ATHLETE VS. MATHLETE by W.C. Mack, Bloomsbury, February 2013, 208p., ISBN: 978-1-59990-915-8
Owen:
"Seventh-grade basketball started out all wrong, and it only got worse.
"'He wants us to try out?' Chris asked.
"'Unbelievable,' I muttered, staring at the sign-up sheet on our new coach's office door.
"Try out for our own team?
"Chris, the rest of the guys, and I had been playing together since Cotter Elementary. We were undefeated in sixth grade (if you didn't count our five losses, which I didn't because the refs had been out to get us), and we'd been shooting hoops at Sunset Park all summer to stay on top of our game.
"'Next Wednesday afternoon,' Chris said, then pointed at the word as he read it. 'Tryouts.'"
As Owen says, things only get worse (at least for him). After making a fool of himself trying to educate the new coach as to why they shouldn't have to try out, the coach spots Owen's fraternal-twin brother Russell walking down the hallway (Russell's the tallest kid in their grade.), and insists that Russell try out for the team, too. Russell is the "mathlete" in the book's title, the leader of the school's Masters of the Mind team, and Owen figures his klutzy brother should stick to geekdom and leave the basketball playing to him. Russell at first seems agreeable to the notion that he'll go through the motions, fail to make the team, and return to more academic pursuits. But then their father takes him out to equip him for playing:
Russell:
"'I don't need Nikes,' I said, but no one was listening.
"Whenever I felt frustrated or nervous, I calmed down by working my way through the periodic table of elements.
"Beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen.
"I glanced around the store, looking for some kind of a knockoff brand, but Go Time seemed to sell only the big names.
"I watched Dad listening to the salesman, as if the shoes I wore for a single afternoon really mattered. And that's when I knew that the tryout situation was officially out of control.
"All I wanted to do was go home and be the Russell Evans I'd been for my entire life.
"The brain.
"Oxygen, fluorine, neon, sodium.
"I didn't want all the extra complications.
"Magnesium, aluminum, silicon.
"I didn't want a special outfit for not making the team. But as I took a deep breath, getting ready to tell Dad how I felt, I saw it in the salesman's hand.
"It was dark blue, with an even darker sole. The pattern looked like a drafting blueprint, and the silver swoosh stitched on the side practically screamed 'speed.'
"He put the shoe in my hand so I could see if I liked it, but he was too late.
"I was already in love.
"And that was only the beginning."
Owen is hell-bound to become a bona fide jerk when Russell actually makes the team and then begins stealing some of Owen's thunder. Meanwhile, Russell's friends on the Masters of the Mind team are appalled that their leader has gone to the dark side. Amidst all of this turmoil, Russell is both expanding his horizons as well as coming to the realization that all of his academic prowess has never yielded the tiniest fraction of respect and acclaim that comes from a good pair of shoes and making a few jump shots.
While there is resolution to the rift created by Owen's petulance, the seasons -- both for the basketball team and for the Masters of the Mind team -- are left in progress, with the action set to resume in the Fall '13 release of DOUBLE DRIBBLE, the second book in this series.
Fun and filled with some pretty interesting issues, there are a load of 10-12 year olds for whom this series will be a slam dunk.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
Owen:
"Seventh-grade basketball started out all wrong, and it only got worse.
"'He wants us to try out?' Chris asked.
"'Unbelievable,' I muttered, staring at the sign-up sheet on our new coach's office door.
"Try out for our own team?
"Chris, the rest of the guys, and I had been playing together since Cotter Elementary. We were undefeated in sixth grade (if you didn't count our five losses, which I didn't because the refs had been out to get us), and we'd been shooting hoops at Sunset Park all summer to stay on top of our game.
"'Next Wednesday afternoon,' Chris said, then pointed at the word as he read it. 'Tryouts.'"
As Owen says, things only get worse (at least for him). After making a fool of himself trying to educate the new coach as to why they shouldn't have to try out, the coach spots Owen's fraternal-twin brother Russell walking down the hallway (Russell's the tallest kid in their grade.), and insists that Russell try out for the team, too. Russell is the "mathlete" in the book's title, the leader of the school's Masters of the Mind team, and Owen figures his klutzy brother should stick to geekdom and leave the basketball playing to him. Russell at first seems agreeable to the notion that he'll go through the motions, fail to make the team, and return to more academic pursuits. But then their father takes him out to equip him for playing:
Russell:
"'I don't need Nikes,' I said, but no one was listening.
"Whenever I felt frustrated or nervous, I calmed down by working my way through the periodic table of elements.
"Beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen.
"I glanced around the store, looking for some kind of a knockoff brand, but Go Time seemed to sell only the big names.
"I watched Dad listening to the salesman, as if the shoes I wore for a single afternoon really mattered. And that's when I knew that the tryout situation was officially out of control.
"All I wanted to do was go home and be the Russell Evans I'd been for my entire life.
"The brain.
"Oxygen, fluorine, neon, sodium.
"I didn't want all the extra complications.
"Magnesium, aluminum, silicon.
"I didn't want a special outfit for not making the team. But as I took a deep breath, getting ready to tell Dad how I felt, I saw it in the salesman's hand.
"It was dark blue, with an even darker sole. The pattern looked like a drafting blueprint, and the silver swoosh stitched on the side practically screamed 'speed.'
"He put the shoe in my hand so I could see if I liked it, but he was too late.
"I was already in love.
"And that was only the beginning."
Owen is hell-bound to become a bona fide jerk when Russell actually makes the team and then begins stealing some of Owen's thunder. Meanwhile, Russell's friends on the Masters of the Mind team are appalled that their leader has gone to the dark side. Amidst all of this turmoil, Russell is both expanding his horizons as well as coming to the realization that all of his academic prowess has never yielded the tiniest fraction of respect and acclaim that comes from a good pair of shoes and making a few jump shots.
While there is resolution to the rift created by Owen's petulance, the seasons -- both for the basketball team and for the Masters of the Mind team -- are left in progress, with the action set to resume in the Fall '13 release of DOUBLE DRIBBLE, the second book in this series.
Fun and filled with some pretty interesting issues, there are a load of 10-12 year olds for whom this series will be a slam dunk.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
January 2, 2017
I have read this book before and it never gets old! The book is about twins , Owen, and Russell. Owen plays basketball and Russell studies. They are polar opposites, but when Coach makes Russell try out for the basketball team, everything changes. I love how the book is in both Owen's and Russell's point of view.
April 4, 2017
Athlete vs Mathlete by W.C Mack is about twin brothers that are nothing alike. One twin, Owen loves to play and watch basketball while the other twin, Russell loves to rack up math awards. A new basketball coach recruits Russell to try out for the team when Russell knew he wouldn't make it. I liked this exciting book.
This book discovers the talent and struggles of Owen and Russell. I liked how Owen and Russell helped each other out with their own problems. This book also shows suspense in the twins lives. Also there is some conflicts between Owen and Russell throughout the book.
I rate this book a 5/5. This book made an impression on me because I am also a twin and love sports. I also think a person who loves to play or watch sports would like this book.
This book discovers the talent and struggles of Owen and Russell. I liked how Owen and Russell helped each other out with their own problems. This book also shows suspense in the twins lives. Also there is some conflicts between Owen and Russell throughout the book.
I rate this book a 5/5. This book made an impression on me because I am also a twin and love sports. I also think a person who loves to play or watch sports would like this book.
July 5, 2019
One plot that never seems to fail is that of the differing abilities among siblings. In this book we meet fraternal twins Owen and Russell. Owen is the shorter brother but excels at basketball while Russell, though lanky, would much rather reflect on the periodic table of elements. When a series of events causes the brothers to step out of their respective comfort zones they find their bond tested. W.C. Mack's characters are well drawn and relatable and this novel is sure to resonate with middle grade readers.
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Find Fangbone at Westminster Public Library today!
And if you are in search of new books to read, try our services, What Do I Read Next. Our library staff are standing by to create a personalized recommendation list for you!
October 7, 2025
two brothers are different and they become friends again they play basketball 🏀 one does math and on a basketball team
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2015
Athlete vs Mathlete is about two twin brothers and Owen is an athlete and Russell is the brains. Since Russell is tall the coach of the basketball team wants him to try out, when he tries out he makes the team. At the first game Russell makes amazing shot and teals Owens fame. Owen gets jealous and doesn't want to play anymore. But, Russell feels bad so try to quit the team, but Owen stops him and the next game they play together. Well for me I would give it an 8. I would say this because I like basketball and that makes me more interested in the book. Also, I like math and school so, this book is me but n a book. I liked this book more than I thought. So, on a scale 1 to 10 I would give it an 8. I think other people should read it because it is a story about two brothers getting in a big fight and them getting back together. This can be a real life situation. I think a lot of people can relate to this book. That's why I would recommend this book to others.
May 6, 2015
this book has 198 pages. The main character is Owen and Russel I can relate to Owen because I have played basketball before and people would never pass so when I got the ball I would just go to the hoop and shoot the ball.I gave it 5 stars because it was a interesting book about sports and math stuff and I like sports and math. It reminded me of when I played basketball because I would just go to the hoop and shoot the ball and not pass when I was little.I felt surprised about the ending because Owen made the winning shot of the basketball game because he never made the winning game shot before.
August 24, 2014
So glad I bought this book for my library shelves. This is a message young kids can't hear enough. Why can't a "geek" play basketball? Why can't a jock be smart? Our society pigeon-holes everyone. This is a needed theme in children's literature.
March 15, 2017
Great book on so many levels-strong characters, interesting relationships (including that of twins), clear plot development. Should appeal to sporty upper elementary aged students as well as fans of realistic fiction. Texas Bluebonnet nominee.
January 5, 2015
Great book for my students. It is a quick read that teaches that people can change and with change comes unexpected challenges.
July 10, 2015
Enjoyable, but predictable. I think some of my boys will be happy after the girl heavy SSYRA's on the list.
May 16, 2017
This book is set in a today like setting in a city about the size of Sturgeon Bay. Owen and Russell are fraternal twins, and have nothing in common. Owen loves sports and gets about a C average grade. While Russell is a straight A student who does all the clubs in school and avoids sports. One day, the basketball coach asked him to try out though, and so he goes to tryouts not expecting much. In the end he makes the team though! Once the season starts Russell is playing better than Owen, but Owen gets jealous and decides to throw away Russell’s shoes that he loves so much. When Russell finds out about that he gets angry at Owen, and even though Owen jumped in a dumpster to go and get the shoes, he still is not talking to him. All in all Owen goes up to Russ’s room and figures out a way to help get Arthur the Third off the Master of Minds team, so that way Russ is able to focus more. Once they did that then Russ can organize his schedule and go back to talking to Owen, getting good grades, doing well in the Master’s district competition, and start playing basketball again. I enjoyed this book, it had great background meaning behind it and W.C. Mack used words that I could easily understand. I didn’t care for the fact that Russ got new shoes right away, while Owen was stuck with the old ones. I would recommend this book to middle school athletes who enjoy reading about sports.
March 5, 2021
I just love W. C. Mack! The way she writes? So credible, thoughtful and still simple - so perfect for boys that don't read so much. Owen and Russell are twins and Owen plays basketball as Russell is the math nerd who loves problem solving. The new basketball coach notices Russell's height and thus makes him try out for the team. Russell seems to have hidden talent for the game and Owen feels inferior and thus we have sibling rivalry. Most of all the story is about finding what you love with the help of friends and family, who'll always support you. Mack' s way to write the characters and especially the twins and their family is wonderful. All the characters have their own personas and they exist in a continuum together, which is great. I loved everyone in the book and sports books with friendship and rivalry are surely the best!
The language flow is great and light at the same time. It took no time to read this and the book is still coherent and well constructed. For me it's always about the characters and well, sports and Mack is amazing at both. I highly recommend this and all of Mack's books!
The language flow is great and light at the same time. It took no time to read this and the book is still coherent and well constructed. For me it's always about the characters and well, sports and Mack is amazing at both. I highly recommend this and all of Mack's books!
November 29, 2020
The book Athlete VS. Mathlete is about 2 boys Owen who is super into basketball, and Russel who is super smart and loves to do school work. They never get along!! Their trouble starts when there is a new basketball coach, and he wants Russell on the basketball team. Russell has played basketball with Owen at home so Russell isn’t bad at basketball. But with Russell playing it affects Owens playtime. So, since Russell is playing more he is getting better. And, he is starting to gain a lot more friends, that Owen doesn't have anymore. But then there is Arthor, who pretty much wants Russell’s place. His spot on the team and his friends. Arthur can be portrayed as the bully or the antagonist. He bullies his way to try and put Russell down, but Owen will help him come back up! Eventually, Russell realizes how sad Owen is and leaves the team. Owen gets all of his friends back, and Russel goes back to essential being a nerd.
November 21, 2018
Athlete vs. Mathlete is an engaging story about two twin brothers who are the complete opposite. Owen's an athlete while Russell is a mathlete. As the story unfolds, Russell finds out that he a natural at basketball, Owen's sport. This leads to the conflict later on that makes the story interesting. When I read this book, it made me think of all the times I had conflicts with my own sister, even though she isn't a twin. I could connect and relate to this book a lot because the main characters and I both have siblings, siblings are our frenemies. This book taught me that no matter what, siblings will have your back. No matter what, siblings will always support you. No matter what, siblings will always be there for you and love you. Support. Trust. Love. I definitely recommend this book as it will grab your attention instantly.
May 13, 2018
I loved this book. This book is about two twins who are different: one who plays basketball(Owen) and one who is a smart geek(Russell). Russell is in a club called Masters of the Mind while Owen is only focused on basketball. Coach Baxter made Russell try out for the basketball team since he was tall. So their Dad helped them practice. Russell who was slow and couldn't dribble but has an awesome jump shot. Owen and Russell made the team. Since there were rhymes with Russell the Hustle, Owen got jealous and threw Russell's shoes into a dumpster. They later on apologized and were excellent teammates.
September 15, 2022
It's like, standard middle grade? A white kid's very smart twin ends up also being very good at basketball, making him jealous of not having an identity + having His Thing taken away
I was more sympathetic to his envy than I thought I would be? Mostly I was like :/ at his parents for not realizing he'd feel some type of way for his brother outdoing him at the one thing he's supposed to be good at
Like if my brother suddenly wrote an award-winning novel I would be rather taken aback by that.
OH WAIT also I kept on waiting for Sports Twin's cunning to help Math Twin at his academic decathlon tournament & feel very disappointed that it never actually happened
I was more sympathetic to his envy than I thought I would be? Mostly I was like :/ at his parents for not realizing he'd feel some type of way for his brother outdoing him at the one thing he's supposed to be good at
Like if my brother suddenly wrote an award-winning novel I would be rather taken aback by that.
OH WAIT also I kept on waiting for Sports Twin's cunning to help Math Twin at his academic decathlon tournament & feel very disappointed that it never actually happened
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2018
Story told with two alternating POV of two twin brothers that are not so much alike. One is good at athletics while the other is the "brains".Russell, the brains, is also tall so the new basketball coach wants him to tryout. Russ already has a lot going on with his academic team but he does not want to turn him down. Russ does a good job on defense and surprisingly makes the team. Everything gets mixed up for Owen. The brothers must find a way to work together. Great choice to recommend to boys 3rd - 6th grade.
December 13, 2016
Anabel A-To start of,when I looked at this book an saw the cover I right away said I was a mathlete. One I do NOT lie sports(well sorta like a 1.5 out of ten)and I rather be having fun in my robotics class the s-s-sports.I enjoy having classes but let me tell you I do not feel ready when it comes to P.E.
Owen and Russell are twins. Two very un-identical twins. Owen likes basketball,on the other hand Russell likes to read and be rocking at math.Their 7th grade year is bit weird....a new coach asks Russell to try fir the basketball team(i know right..weird how can a nerd become a basketball player if it enjoys books and math! Owen still tries out. Now Russell still has a group called the masters f the mind,so will he choose to be with the team or go for the try outs?will he get in?will Owen be accepted too?,reed to find out
I recommend this book to and Emily not just because she is my friend but when she was reading the book she saw that it said something about twins,so this will hep emily see the difference between her relashionship with evelyn from Owen's and russell's
Owen and Russell are twins. Two very un-identical twins. Owen likes basketball,on the other hand Russell likes to read and be rocking at math.Their 7th grade year is bit weird....a new coach asks Russell to try fir the basketball team(i know right..weird how can a nerd become a basketball player if it enjoys books and math! Owen still tries out. Now Russell still has a group called the masters f the mind,so will he choose to be with the team or go for the try outs?will he get in?will Owen be accepted too?,reed to find out
I recommend this book to and Emily not just because she is my friend but when she was reading the book she saw that it said something about twins,so this will hep emily see the difference between her relashionship with evelyn from Owen's and russell's
October 28, 2017
Owen and Russell are two twins growing up in Oregon and Owen is the athlete of the two and Russell is the brains. Russell doesn't want to play basketball but the coach wants him to try out, he would rather spend his time with his masters of the mind group to get ready for the district competition or studying. Owen and Russell both make the basketball team and everyone is shocked about Russell making it. Owen starts to get jealous of russes jump shot and during the team's first game Russ does amazing and all Owen does is be a ball hog. After the game Owen throughs russes “Magical Nikes” into a dumpster. Russell has to decide what to do, quit the team and focus on school or try and manage both while dealing with his jerk brother.
Reading this book made me think about the quality of kindness between siblings and family. Because of reading this book I have wanted to treat my brother better because in the beginning of the book Owen and Russell both seemed happier than in the middle when they were fighting.
I would recommend this book to some of my classmates who are more into athletics because this book is based off of basketball. Also the story has a good plot and conflict that intrigues the reader. I would recommend this book to fans of Carl Deuker's books and other sports authors.
Reading this book made me think about the quality of kindness between siblings and family. Because of reading this book I have wanted to treat my brother better because in the beginning of the book Owen and Russell both seemed happier than in the middle when they were fighting.
I would recommend this book to some of my classmates who are more into athletics because this book is based off of basketball. Also the story has a good plot and conflict that intrigues the reader. I would recommend this book to fans of Carl Deuker's books and other sports authors.
June 18, 2018
Solid realistic fiction about 2 middle school twins and how they navigate middle school; in particular, the "smart one" starts playing basketball and turns out to be pretty good, angering the "athletic one." Some parts are totally unrealistic, but overall it's a fun read and does a good job navigating normal life issues! I've read it twice for Battle and enjoyed it both times. It's also a series.
August 5, 2019
I wasn't really expecting to love this book, but I ended up finding it hard to put down. It flows. Short, engaging, 2 perspectives that are really good at being 2 perspectives, and strong family dynamics for the win. Had some funny moments, had some genuine celebration of both word games and basketball. Great fun!
May 15, 2020
My daughter and I really liked this story. It alternates points of view between twin brothers, deals with sibling rivalry well, and presents interesting and realistic challenges and conclusions. The ending, however, is a let down and sets up the reader for the sequel. I found that a cheesy way to end an enjoyable book.
February 28, 2017
THis book was a great mixture of a geek's opinion and a jock's opinion.
March 1, 2017
Despite using some serious stereotypes of athletes and "mathletes," it's actually cute and would be a good read for an elementary school reader.
May 8, 2017
Great read for Grade/Middle School. Great examples of problem solving, and dealing with sibling rivalry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews