Rich Wallace – författare

Some might think Jay was cheated. By his mother, who walked out when he was 9. By his dad, who took a job a couple thousand miles away and let him stay above a bar in a one-room apartment. By the basketball coach, who saw his talent but chose youth over determination. And even Jay’s not sure whether this last year of high school in the small town of Sturbridge, Pennsylvania, will add up to anything. But just when senior year seems a waste–kissing the wrong girls, offending the right ones, playing basketball on a church league with other “rejects”–life begins to click again. The church league gives him some of the best basketball he’s ever played, and the right girl gives him a second chance. Jay may not know what he wants next out of life, but he’s beginning to get a clue about how to play the game.From the Paperback edition.

It''s soccer season, and sophomore Bones Austin and his team are struggling to make it to the district play-offs--against all odds. To make matters worse, Bones has a crush on the girlfriend of his best friend, Joey. Bones and Joey are forced to learn a little something about teamwork, even when hard times seem to be tearing them apart. Rich Wallace returns to Sturbridge, Pennsylvania, in his stunning follow-up to Wreslting Strubirdge, in Knopf Paperback for the first time.  From the Hardcover edition.

Ron is watcher, it seems. He watches his pick-up basketball team–five guys trying to fit together on the court. He watches Dawn on the dance floor, and that tiny star tattoo on her shoulder. He watches Darby run, her short legs all sweat and muscle. He watches his friends veer off–and up–into popularity. He watches his dad move in with his grandmother and make do. But he’s more than a watcher: He’s a hustler on the court, a free-thrower, a poet, a poker player, a rule breaker, a loving grandson, a runner, and a ruthless competitor in those eight laps around the track–the 3200 meter. In nine interwoven stories, award-winning author Rich Wallace brings a small-town high school to life through the sharp, spare voice–and the heart-pounding defeats and triumphs–of an athlete.From the Hardcover edition.

Welcome to Sturbridge, Pennsylvania, a small, dead-end town with nothing to do and no way out.  At least that''s how Ben, a high school senior and the second-best 135-pound wrestler in school, sees it.  But Ben''s fed up with being stuck on the bench, watching as his friend Al, the state champion, gets all the glory.  If Ben doesn''t get his life in gear, he could end up like his father and the other men in Sturbridge--working on the line in the cinder block factory.  Spurred on partly by a wise, intense young woman, and partly by a strength found deep within himself, Ben looks for a way out--his whole life depends on it.  In the words of Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli, "Wrestling Sturbridge isn''t just an outstanding first novel; it''s an outstanding novel, period."  From the Hardcover edition.

Albert Einstein. Mazie Hirono. Dikembe Mutombo. Celia Cruz. Madeleine Albright. Nikola Tesla. These are just a few of the names young readers will find in the pages of First Generation. Featuring 36 incredible individuals, this book tells the stories of artists and athletes, scientists and musicians, activists and inventors, educators and journalists, all immigrants and refugees to the United States of America. Because of their achievements and their determination to change the world, our country has been made a far better place. And after reading their inspiring stories, readers will hopefully see how they can become change-makers themselves.

ASK ANYBODY AROUND East Scranton High School: Michael Kerrigan is almost too good to be true. Dedicated athlete, captain of the track team, editorial assistant (obituary writer) at the Scranton Observer, he''s never been in trouble, and he doesn''t associate with troublemakers. This is the most important track season of his life - and he''s ready.That is, until the police find four joints in his locker. Soon Mike''s seemingly perfect world is threatened, and with pressure coming from his parents, his childhood best friend, and his sort-of girlfriend, Mike is faced with a choice - a choice that will determine the kind of athlete, friend, and man he becomes.From the Hardcover edition.

Randy is a chubby ninth grader with a Cub Scout hair cut who guesses M&M colors with his eyes closed and makes up words. He’s also a chess whiz who has defeated his older brother Zeke in nine of their last ten matches. Zeke is a high school senior, a soccer champ, and a chess natural who can beat just about anyone if he decides to really concentrate. So why is his loser little brother the better athlete, the better chess player, and the first to have a girlfriend?The competition heightens when both Randy and Zeke qualify for the Northeast Regional of the Pennsylvania High School Chess Championships (Randy is seeded, Zeke is not)—and play their way right into a brother-tobrother final round. Told in alternating points of view between brothers, Rich Wallace’s new novel brings to life one of America’s favorite pastimes in a suspenseful story about competition and family loyalty.Rich Wallace is the author of several books for young adults, including One Good Punch, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and Wrestling Sturbridge, an ALA Quick Pick. He lives in Pennsylvania.From the Hardcover edition.

Riley feels like the smallest kid at sports camp. In fact, he is. He just turned eleven in April, but most kids here are twelve, and a few are even thirteen—and gigantic. It’s hard enough for a shrimp like Riley to fit in. He just doesn’t want to be the weak link as his bunk competes for the Camp Olympia Trophy.Riley knows he’s no good at strength and accuracy games like basketball and softball. But when it comes to speed and endurance events, like running and swimming, he’s better than he looks. He’s pretty sure he can place in the top ten—and bring in major trophy points—in the final mile-long swim race across Lake Surprise. But he doesn’t count on being followed by the shadow of Big Joe, the giant vicious snapping turtle of camp lore. Wasn’t that supposed to be a legend?From the Hardcover edition.

Introducing a soccer series for new readersKickers #1Nine-year-old Ben is brand-new to soccer, but he''s a good athlete and knows he''ll do well on the Bobcats, his team in the local Kickers soccer league. If he can only work around his obnoxious teammate Mark, the ball hog, Ben is sure he''ll score his first goal. But Coach Patty, and Ben''s own teammates, show him a little something about teamwork. And suddenly it dawns on him: he''s a ball hog, too. Can he change his ways before the Bobcats lose their shot at the Kickers play-offs?Award-winning sports novelist Rich Wallace introduces the Kickers soccer series, filled with lively black-and-white art and fast-paced, on-the-field action.From the Hardcover edition.

Introducing a soccer series for new readers Kickers #2The Kickers soccer league is heating up, and Ben''s team, the Bobcats, has two losses, one win, and one tie. Ben knows he can pull his team out of its slump and right into the league play-offs with his new move: the fake-out. He practices the tricky footwork every chance he gets. But every time he tries it on the field, he flubs up, loses the ball, and hurts his team. Meanwhile, everyone else is faking him out. Is Ben out of his league?In his Kickers series, award-winning author Rich Wallace offers action-filled novels about the Bobcats, a fourth-grade coed soccer team, and their bid for the league play-offs.   From the Hardcover edition.

KICKERS: a young middle grade soccer seriesBook 3 It’s a race to the Kickers soccer league play-offs. Nine-year-old Ben is pretty sure that if the Bobcats win two of their last three games, they’ll earn a tournament spot. But in their game against the Tigers, the Bobcats are a mess on the field—they’re not passing well at all—and Ben decides to take control. Someone has to win this thing, and his teammates just aren’t measuring up. Then the whistle blasts, the red card waves, and Ben is out—benched for dangerous moves. Not only that, he’s barred from the next game, too—a key bout against the Rabbits. How can he possibly help his team to the play-offs from the sidelines?The Kickers series, from award-winning sports novelist Rich Wallace, features nonstop soccer action, black-and-white art, and league statistics and soccer tips throughout.Also available:KICKERS #1: THE BALL HOGSKICKERS #2: FAKE OUTKICKERS #4: GAME-DAY JITTERSFrom the Hardcover edition.

Filled with on-the-field soccer scenes, black-and-white artwork, and sports statistics throughout, this short novel—ideal for newly independent readers, athletes, and all sports fans—follows nine-year-old Ben and his fourth-grade team, the Bobcats, as they race to the Kickers League playoffs. Ben knows he''s one of the team''s strongest players, but he''s been struggling with the jitters. He''s just freezing up on the field. Can he pull through for his teammates now that they really need him?From the Hardcover edition.

Have you ever heard an urban legend?   In this trio of terrifying tales, three boys have a close brush with the unknown as they encounter ghostly horses who run the streets at night, phantom farm children whispering in their ears, and a deceased former classmate who may be less dead than everyone thought. . . .   Eerie, thought-provoking, and perfect for Halloween, these scary stories are sure to delight readers who grew up on Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark looking for a good spine-tingler!From the Hardcover edition.

Slimmed down and in great shape, Dunk is thrilled to make the school basketball team as a secondstring center. Jared, the starting center, is the best player on the team. But when Jared begins missing practice as well as the shots he used to make, Dunk is on the court more than he expected. He’s playing better than ever, but will that jeopardize his friendship with Jared?

the guys call him Dunk, but Cornell Duncan couldn’t dunk from a six-foot ladder. He’s flat-footed and slow and can jump only about two inches off the ground. but put him at the foul line and he’s a star—a free-throw magician. that’s the main reason he made the Hudson City all-star basketball team, which, if the team keeps winning, is headed to the state tournament. but just when Hudson City seems to have a good chance at going all the way, Dunk gets a wake-up call. Following a few disastrous minutes off the bench, he realizes that it’ll take more than free throws to make him a real all-star.

Strong, wiry, and lightweight, Donald seems to have the perfect combination of physical attributes for wrestling. And after seeing a high school wrestling match, he?s excited to join Hudson City?s middle-school team. The workouts are grueling, and he loses his first few matches, but Donald?s most difficult obstacle is his temper. Can he channel it to work for him instead of against him? Packed with action and drama, this newest Winning Season book from accomplished author Rich Wallace won?t disappoint.

Jimmy Fleming throws left, hits right and left, and is hoping to become Hudson City’s newest pitcher.Having moved from Pennsylvania, he’s looking forward to making some new friends and playing the sport he loves. But while he makes the team, things don’t go the way he’d hoped. His teammates aren’t too welcoming and his time on the mound is less than stellar. It doesn’t help that his dad is applying more and more pressure to be a star pitcher. Before long, Jimmy is wishing he’d never left Pennsylvania. But Jimmy isn’t one to give up, and just when the season hits a low point, Jimmy’s pitches—and his attitude—begin to find their mark.

Jason Fiorelli is having a great year as wingback on the Hudson City Hornets. Twenty-seven receptions, six touchdowns, and fifty points for the season! Now with only three games left, the league title is within reach, until -- disaster -- the Hornets'' star quarterback has a season-ending injury. And Wade, the replacement quarterback doesn''t have the talent to take charge.In a surprise move, Coach sends Jason in as emergency quarterback. It''s an opportunity to save the season, but it also feeds the rivalry between Wade and Jason. With the championship game drawing near, can the Hornets pull it together in time to work as a team?

The pressures of being an undercover reporter are getting to Eddie Ventura. No one on his baseball team has realized that he is the anonymous writer behind all the great new coverage their team has been getting from their school newspaper. The only problem is?not everyone is thrilled with the stories, or the uncanny way their secrets are being leaked to the press. Should Eddie quit writing for the school newspaper before his secret is uncovered?

It''s the summer of 1969. We''ve just landed on the moon, the Vietnam War is heating up, the Mets are beginning their famous World Series run, and Woodstock is rocking upstate New York. Down in New Jersey, twelve-year-old Brody is mostly concerned with the top ten hits on the radio and how much playing time he''ll get on the football team. But when he goes along for the ride to Woodstock with his older brother and sees the mass of humanity there, he starts to wake up to the world around him-a world that could take away the brother he loves.