Jamie McEwan – författare

This anthology of short, autobiographical stories has kids’ book authors telling tales of their own real-life athletic incidents. Some are funny, some are serious, and some put their own twist on the whole “sports” concept. Eight stories from both “boys” and “girls” include tales of dodgeball, wrestling, track, softball, and ballet. Kids will relate to the struggling non-jocks as well as the athletes who take the trophy home.

Rufus is tired of being yelled at by his football coach. Sure, he''s the biggest guy in his class and he wants to be a better player, but he''s doing the best he can. When his mom suggests he try ballet lessons to become less clumsy, Rufus decides to give it a try. Now the coach wants him to choose between football and ballet, and Biff gives him a hard time about wearing a tutu (which he doesn''t). Even worse, the other Scrubs think Rufus is giving them a worse name (like that''s possible). After all the teasing and trying, what''s a Scrub to do?

In this fourth and final book in the Scrubs series, Dan, the quotable man, struggles with his own "scrub-ness" as he questions the basics of his beliefs about what it takes to be a winner.

In this sequel to Willy the Scrub, the gang has joined a kayaking club after school. Willy seems to get the hang of it fine, but Rufus and Clara are not doing so well. Clara, who is one of the school''s top girl athletes, ends up upside-down in the water and develops a real fear of getting back into the water with her kayak. Her best friend makes sense: "Hey, you''re a great athlete already. What do you have to prove? Just quit." Clara wonders if this sport really is "all wet."

It''s hard being different. Everybody in Willy''s family is an athlete—even his mom. And, although Willy wishes he were like the rest of his family, no matter how hard he tries he never seems to be as good as they are. When he hears there''s going to be wrestling try-outs, he and his best friend sign up. Even if they never get to play, they''ll be the best benchwarmers of all time! A hi-lo book for reluctant readers.

It’s hard being different. Everybody in Willy’s family is an athlete—even his mom. And, although Willy wishes he were like the rest of his family, no matter how hard he tries he never seems to be as good as they are. When he hears there’s going to be wrestling try-outs, he and his best friend sign up. Even if they never get to play, they’ll be the best benchwarmers of all time! A hi-lo book for reluctant readers.

In this sequel to Willy the Scrub, the gang has joined a kayaking club after school. Willy seems to get the hang of it fine, but Rufus and Clara are not doing so well. Clara, who is one of the school''s top girl athletes, ends up upside-down in the water and develops a real fear of getting back into the water with her kayak. Her best friend makes sense: "Hey, you''re a great athlete already. What do you have to prove? Just quit." Clara wonders if this sport really is "all wet."

Rufus is tired of being yelled at by his football coach. Sure, he''s the biggest guy in his class and he wants to be a better player, but he''s doing the best he can. When his mom suggests he try ballet lessons to become less clumsy, Rufus decides to give it a try. Now the coach wants him to choose between football and ballet, and Biff gives him a hard time about wearing a tutu (which he doesn''t). Even worse, the other Scrubs think Rufus is giving them a worse name (like that''s possible). After all the teasing and trying, what''s a Scrub to do?