Shark

by Bruce Brooks

Shark's one of the worst players on the Wings -- one of the infamous Spaz Line. He's fat and slow, and his hockey sense is pitiful. If it weren't for the fact that he's needed to fill the roster, he wouldn't be a Wing at all. But one night a miracle happens: he scores the game-winning goal with a beautiful play. Shark's sure the play was a fluke, but his teammates actually expect him to improve. Even worse, they're getting mad when he doesn't -- and they're freezing him out. Shark's puzzled by their attitude. He'll never be a real player, like Prince or Cody. He's destined to be a hopeless spaz, a toothless Shark forever. Isn't he?

118 pages, Library Binding

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Bruce Brooks (born September 23, 1950) is an American author of young adult and children's literature. He was born in Washington D.C., but spent most of his time growing up in North Carolina as a result of parents' being divorced. Although divorce is never easy for a child, Brooks credits moving around a lot between the two locations with making him a keen observer of social situations. Switching schools often and having to make new friends evolved his ability to tell good stories. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972, and the Iowa Writers' Workshop in 1980. Before earning a living as a writer, Brooks had worked as a letterpress operator and a journalist for magazines and newspapers. Brooks has reported a very diverse list of influences, like Charles Dickens, Henry James, P.G. Wodehouse and Raymond Chandler. Brooks has three sons: Alex, 23, Spencer, 15, and Drake, 1. He lives with his wife Ginee Seo in Park Slope, Brooklyn.