Playing Forward

by Jake Maddox, Sean Tiffany (Illustrator), Eric Stevens (Contributor)

Isaac Roth's big brother was a forward for the Wildcats, and Isaac wants to be one too. His dream is to be the highest-scoring forward ever. The problem is that Isaac is short. Coach Turnbull thinks he'd be a better point guard than a forward, since he's fast and small. Will Isaac be able to change his dream and play for the team, or will he give up on the sport he loves?

Genres: Sports

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Marissa Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Isaac Roth just wants to play starting power forward like his star older brother does for the high school team. But his skills fit the position of point guard, a position that has none of the glory of power forward. Isaac is angry when fellow teammate Dwayne gets forward, and is out to prove he's the right person for it. But when he plays as forward, he quickly finds what his true calling is.

This is just one book in a series of similar sport themed short chapter books. While the main character is in middle school, the extremely short length and quick movement of the text make it suitable for younger readers, not to mention great for reluctant middle school readers. The book is rather jargon heavy, which will delight young sports fans, but is not so heavy that readers unfamiliar with the terms can't figure them out through context.

Suggest to: young sports fans age 7-14. reluctant readers, those looking for short books with fast pacing

[Marissa Elera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Isaac Roth just wants to play starting power forward like his star older brother does for the high school team. But his skills fit the position of point guard, a position that has none of the glory of power forward. Isaac is angry when fellow teammate Dwayne gets forward, and is out to prove he's the right person for it. But when he plays as forward, he quickly finds what his true calling is.

This is just one book in a series of similar sport themed short chapter books. While the main character is in middle school, the extremely short length and quick movement of the text make it suitable for younger readers, not to mention great for reluctant middle school readers. The book is rather jargon heavy, which will delight young sports fans, but is not so heavy that readers unfamiliar with the terms can't figure them out through context.

Suggest to: young sports fans age 7-14. reluctant readers, those looking for short books with fast pacing

[Kathleen Behrendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in the Team Jake Maddox series is about basketball. Try-outs for the middle school basketball team are around the corner, and Isaac Roth wants to play starting power forward even though everyone tells him he is very good at point guard. When Isaac doens't make starting power forward, he is very upset and pouts. In the end, he realizes that everyone else is right - he is a very good point guard, and proud of it. The basketball terms are perfect for boys who love the sport. At the back of the book, there is a glossary, discussion questions and writing prompts.

Recommend this series to boys in third grade and up who are interested in sports. This series is perfect for sports minded boys who are not yet ready for Dan Gutman or Mike Lupica.

[Angelica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Playing Forward is a good series for boys who are interested in sports stories. Great for a 2nd or 3rd grader. Playing Forward follows two brothers Eli and Isaac who both love the game of basketball. Eli is tall, popular, and is very a talented basketball player. Isaac sometimes feels he is not as good as his brother but winds up trying out for the team. Will Isaac will be just as good as his brother to get on the team at his school. Can he show that he can play forward.

[Jnase1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a sports book, so it's not really my type of book. Both younger and older students who enjoy basketball would probably enjoy this book. It is heavy in basketball vocabulary, but it is a very short book, much less than 64 pages because just about every other page is a picture. The print is double spaced, too. Good for higher grades, but lower reading ability.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another solid piece of sports fiction for early-middle elementary-aged kids. It has a simple story with a focus on the main character's thoughts and feelings, and a fair amount of play-by-play sports action.

[Ben Schmoker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Playing Foward because of the way the guy sucks at the begging and then wins the game for the team at the end

[Kendall Martino · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book incourages you to never give up.

[Alex Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practice makes perfect.

[Kylie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was okay, but i dont really like basketball.

[Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for young readers.