Doubles Troubles

Gym Shorts #6

by Betty Hicks, Simon Gane (Illustrator)

DOUBLE THE TROUBLE, DOUBLE THE FUN. Is it a game, set, match for Henry? Henry wants to win the doubles tennis trophy more than anything. He knows he'd good enough, but he's not sure his partner Rocky is. The advantage goes to new readers as they follow Henry as he helps Rocky train and, at the same time, works on his history project. Can Henry serve up an ace on and off the court?

Genres: Friendship, Sports

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Betty Hicks has drawn on her experience and love for sports in Gym Shorts, her new series for seven to ten year-olds. Growing up, Betty enjoyed everything: basketball, swimming, softball, horseback riding, field hockey, ice skating, tennis, skiing, and more. As an adult, she’s an avid fan of college basketball and the Olympic Games, and, an average fan of just about everything else you can think of.

In Gym Shorts, Betty welcomed the opportunity to provide younger readers with books about different types of athletics—basketball, soccer, swimming, baseball, track, tennis—you name it! But she especially wanted to write books that weren’t just about the wins and losses on game day. Friendships, fears, school, parents, pets, homework—all the things that weave their way into the lives of kids who play sports—are a crucial part of every story.

Betty has also put her own single and stepparent experiences to good use in five additional books for eight to twelve year-olds. Depicting funny, true-to-life family situations, Betty brings laughter and meaning to the experiences of growing up, not just in a divorced family, but in any family.

Betty has a BA in English and an MFA in the Study and Writing of Children’s Literature from Hollins University. She has published stories in Highlights and Pockets magazines, is a member of The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and has worked as a book reviewer for Children’s Literature.

She and her husband, Bill, live in Greensboro, North Carolina. She spends much of her non-writing time reading, traveling, playing golf, and pursuing her photography hobby. But her number one favorite pastime is hanging out with her five grandchildren. Not only do they bring her joy, they unknowingly give her exciting subjects and plots for every new book!

Reviews

[Robby · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't that good because of the part where Henry said you idiot" and then it didn't really make sense how they got back to being friends

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. It was a short book about a kid who wins everything sports related, except for doubles tennis because his partner is not very good. He's kind of annoyed that he's paired with this kid but he tries to encourage him to be better. He gets really frustrated and mean to his partner, but then when the tables are turned and hes the one letting his partner down in a school project, he learns some empathy.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice sports theme but bland writing and typical plot. Serviceable as an early chapter book but nothing special.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series issuing sport contexts to deal with real issues that the characters face.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-5th grade chapter book for June 1st