Books by Jake Maddox

When Mariana and her new friend, Selena, try to play some basketball at a local court, they're challenged to a game by two older girls. If Mariana and Selena win, they get to use the court. But if the older girls win, they get Selena's special autographed shirt. Unfortunately, things go badly and the younger girls lose the bet-and the shirt. However, they soon come up with a plan. Although some of Mariana's skills are lacking, she's great at shooting hoops. Will the friends succeed in their hoops hustle to get back Selena's special shirt?

When they were younger, Anya and her big sister, Marina, were an unbeatable catcher and pitcher duo on their slow-pitch softball team. But now, as Anya gets ready to join Marina on the U14 fast-pitch squad, things are different. Anya can't stand her sister's know-it-all attitude and ignores every piece of advice. Meanwhile, Marina is frustrated because Anya doesn't seem to be taking the game seriously. Will the two sisters be able to put aside their fast-pitch feud and work together for the win?

For twelve-year-old Autumn Holloway, a week at Blazing Hoops wheelchair basketball camp is a dream come true. She has high hopes that it will be her ticket to making friends and connections in the adaptive sports community. But Autumn struggles to fit in with her wealthier fellow campers. To make matters worse, she has to use a borrowed basketball wheelchair that keeps needing repairs. It takes a chance encounter to help Autumn realize that, no matter where she's from or how she speaks, she belongs at camp - and on the court - just as much as anyone else.

Fourteen-year old Aarash is nervous to start his first year at Freemont Central High School. Though his family has lived in the country since he was eight years old, Aarash still feels like an outsider. Then an older friend suggests Aarash join the school's wrestling team. Aarash is nervous but tries out anyway and is excited to make the team. But a bully on the mat makes Aarash rethink everything. Can he see his commitment through? Or will taking it to the mat cost more than he's willing to sacrifice?

Lisa Vega and her basketball teammates are thrilled when they make it into the regional playoffs. But before they can play their first game, they discover that their school gym has been vandalized. Paint is splattered everywhere. The basketball hoops and nets are destroyed. And all of the balls have been slashed open. It's the middle of winter, and the girls have nowhere to practice. Who would do this? Did the rival team from across town somehow wreck the girls' gym? Or is someone else to blame? Follow along as Lisa and her teammates uncover the clues and track down the culprit who trashed their court in this exciting sport mystery!

Bianca is thrilled when her parents announce that her grandfather is coming to live with them. Bianca and Abuelo share a love of football, and she can't wait to share her love of drumming with her grandfather too. But when Abuelo arrives, he has his own ideas about how Bianca should practise and play. Those ideas translate into trouble on the field. Can Bianca find the beat in her feet before it costs her team the tournament?

New-kid Javier Moreno makes a big splash on the football pitch when a video of his amazing goal goes viral. But now the fame is going to his head, and he's hogging the ball and showing off. Will Javi's solo act ruin the team's chances at making the championships? Dynamic full-colour comic artwork sets the stage for this exciting Graphic Novel, a winning choice for any young reader.

Nimo Mohamed has made the cross-country team and she's determined to keep up with the older girls. So she's training harder than ever, maybe too hard. Soon the runner's grades at school are tumbling, her running times are slipping and her body is completely exhausted. Can Nimo learn to pace herself and stop this running overload? With its high-stakes sports story with an exciting full-colour comic format, this Graphic Novel is a winner for young readers.

Hank Watson enjoys helping his basketball team win big games. However, his true passion is cooking. Hank doesn't tell his team that he likes to cook because he's afraid they'll make fun of him. When an opportunity arises to meet celebrity chef Brenton Spooner, Hank jumps at the chance. But while practising a difficult dish to impress his idol, he accidentally burns his hand. The injury isn't serious, but it affects his performance both on the court and in the kitchen. Despite the setback, Hank is determined to help his team achieve victory in the big game and meet his cooking hero in the process.

When twins Lydia and Marco are approached to be on their dance studio's jazz team, Lydia is thrilled. She and Marco both love to dance and used to have fun dancing together as kids. But lately it seems their relationship has grown more distant. Lydia can't wait to dance with her brother again, but Marco is worried. He's used to hip-hop and will be the only boy on the team. And when bullies start mocking Marco for doing "girl dances" it could spell trouble for the whole team.

Cameron Jones plays football not because he loves it, but because his dad believes he will one day earn a big prize: a university funding bursary. When his father's new job takes him from the big city to a small-town team, Cameron thinks it might be his chance to take a step back from the game. His new team is unorganized and his teammates seem uninterested in the discipline it takes to win. But maybe this new team is exactly what Cameron needs to make football fun again.

Layla loves playing basketball, especially with her best friend, Danika. Now, after spending most of the summer getting ready for trials, Layla is eager to move from substitute player to becoming one of the starting five. When trials finally arrive, Layla not only makes the first team but she's also chosen to be the team captain. All of her friends and teammates are excited for her. All, that is, except Danika who is jealous of her friend's success. Layla soon discovers that being both team captain and best friends with Danika is no easy task. Can Layla be a good team captain and a good friend?

Eager to follow in his father's footsteps, Ramon Hill wants nothing more than to be a starting attacker on his lacrosse team. But his dreams don't go as planned, and he's moved to a different position. Playing as a midfielder lets Ramon put his skills and talent to best use, but he can't help but feel disappointed. Will his new position lead to bigger and better things for him and his team?

Karate is the most important thing in Aliyah's life. It allows her to fight - and she's good at that. It also makes her feel like a winner. Nothing is more important to Aliyah than taking down an opponent, especially if it's her main rival, Suma. Things soon change with the arrival of a new student, Zoya, who also happens to be Suma's little sister. Aliyah sees something familiar in Zoya - an anger and aggression that reminds Aliyah of herself. Upon the request of Suma, and with the approval of the sensei, Aliyah agrees to train Zoya. Through their training, she helps Zoya control her anger but also manages to learn a valuable lesson of her own - winning isn't everything.

Jasmine Lopez and her brother Arjun love exploring the coral reefs around Fiji, where their marine biologist parents are stationed. Jasmine, already a certified scuba diver, dreams of following in her parents' footsteps and wants to help Arjun do the same.

After a big growth spurt, dancer Mercy Smyth feels completely out of step. It's going to take a lot of extra work and money that Mercy doesn't have to bring her skills back to competition level. Will Mercy ever feel graceful again?