I have always loved discovering new sports novels to share with kids. So many kids have asked for them over the years, and while it's great to have prolific authors such as Mike Lupica, John Feinstein, and Matt Christopher, it is also fantastic to see new authors that the kids might not know yet -- ones they haven't read before. I've been a children's bookseller. I've worked in a school library. There is a huge demand for sports-themed novels -- especially with reluctant readers. Sports is a way to bridge the gap and peak a student's interest in finally picking up a book and reading it.
When the tour for ON THE BENCH came up and the summary specifically called OFF THE BENCH out as being a book for kids who dislike reading revolving around basketball, I knew I not only needed to learn everything I could about the title, but share it with as many kids -- and educators and librarians! -- as I could so that we can get this book into as many hands as possible!
Keep reading for an excerpt from the novel, book summary, and -- best of all -- a chance to win a copy for yourself, a young basketball lover, or a classroom library! ^_^
About The Book:
Author: Fred Bowen
Pub. Date: March 28, 2023
Publisher: Peachtree
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 144
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/OFF-THE-BENCH
Chris wants to be a star scorer like
his brother—so why does his coach keep him waiting on the bench?
Chris comes from a sports-loving family. His brother is the star scorer on the
high school team, and is being recruited by Division 3 colleges. Chris longs to
earn the same adulation, and he’s a good scorer for his junior high team. But
why won’t his coach start him? He’s better on defense than his rival, Carlos,
and nearly as good a shooter.
Soon Chris becomes obsessed with earning a place in his team’s starting lineup.
He does everything he can think of—including being an invaluable player every
time he comes in. But nothing seems to get Coach’s attention. Even after he
learns the history of the valuable “6th man,” Chris can’t seem to let it go.
How will he ever be a big scoring star?
For every kid who hates to read but loves basketball, comes a suspenseful novel
with plenty of play-by-play sports action.
Read an Excerpt!
Excerpt for Rockstar Book Tours
Excerpt from Off the Bench / Text copyright © 2023 by Fred Bowen. Reproduced with permission from Peachtree Publishing Company Inc. All rights reserved.
Chapter
One
Kris Hall felt the game before he saw the game.
He walked up the stairs to the Oak View High School gymnasium with his mother, father, and younger sister, Joni. The stairs almost trembled from the pounding feet on the floor above. The noise of the crowd swirled down the stairway.
Kris could sense his heart beating faster.
His father handed four tickets to a man sitting on a high stool near the double door at the entrance of the gym.
“First game of the season!” Mr. Hall shouted to the man over the sound of the crowd. “Good to be back.”
The man nodded as he tore the tickets in half and handed the stubs to Mr. Hall. “They’ve got a chance to be pretty good this year. Especially with your son on the team.”
“I just hope they all have a fun season,” Kris’s mother chimed in.
The family squeezed by several people standing around the entrance and stepped inside. The gym was almost full. The two teams—Oak View and Wilson High School—were warming up. Players and basketballs flashed around the polished floor.
“There’s Dylan!” Joni shouted, pointing to the floor.
Kris spied his older brother moving, passing, hustling. He looked every inch a real ballplayer. Six feet even and in great shape for his senior year. Dylan was all business before the game, eyes focused on the ball and the action on the floor, looking sharp in his white uniform with the black and orange trim. Number 14—his favorite number.
Kris looked around at the people in the stands. Groups of parents, students, teachers, and people from the town huddled together along the rows of wooden bleachers. Their voices blended with the pounding basketballs and the squeaks of basketball shoes against the floor. A warm gym was a good place to be on a cold December Friday night in a small town.
About Fred Bowen:
Fred Bowen was a Little Leaguer who loved to read. Now he is
the author of many action-packed books of sports fiction. He has also written a
weekly sports column for kids in the Washington Post since 2000. Fred played
lots of sports growing up, including soccer at Marblehead High School. For
thirteen years, he coached kids’ baseball, soccer, and basketball teams. Some of
his stories spring directly from his coaching experience and his sports-happy
childhood in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Fred holds a degree in history from the
University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from George Washington University.
He was a lawyer for many years before retiring to become a full-time children’s
author. Bowen has been a guest author at schools and conferences across the
country, as well as the National Book Festival in Washington, DC, and the
Baseball Hall of Fame. Fred lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife.
For more information, check out the author’s website at www.fredbowen.com.
Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a finished copy of OFF THE BENCH, US
Only.
Ends May 2nd, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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4/17/2023 |
IG Review |
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4/17/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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4/18/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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4/18/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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4/19/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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4/19/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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4/20/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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4/20/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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4/21/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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4/21/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
Week Two:
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4/24/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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4/24/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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4/25/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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4/25/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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4/26/2023 |
IG Review |
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4/26/2023 |
Review |
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4/27/2023 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic |
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4/27/2023 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic |
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4/28/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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4/28/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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