Jake Maddox

Eleven-year-old Matt wants to make the Evergreen Racing Team, but his chances are seriously threatened when a new boy moves to town and resorts to cheating in order to win. Pumped-up, easy-to-read sports stories with an emphasis on speed, skill, and fair play. The boys in these books face challenges on and off the racetrack. Following the world's fastest-growing sport,...

Jason never turns down a dare, which has gotten him in trouble more than once. After he gives some classmates a hard time, they challenge him to a BMX competition. Jason can't say no. But BMX is way harder than he thought. If he can't learn to ride before the competition, this dare will be his last. When referencing the...

Samuel is a longtime fan of the classic world-building game Buildtopia, playing it years after his friends have forgotten about it. So he's excited to learn that a big game update has reignited interest in the video game. Now with new in-game challenges, Buildtopia is getting an eSports competition. Will Samuel turn his love of the game into an opportunity...

Marnie has an emerging talent for dog training, and she puts it to good use with her dog, Koda. Koda is a mutt, so she isn't able to enter dog shows. So, Marnie decides to enter a dog dancing competition with Koda instead. However, Marnie soon realizes she is more confident in Koda's skills than her own. Will Marnie be...

Audrey Miller isn't thrilled about moving to a new town or starting eighth grade at a new school. Things start looking up when she meets Ryan, a wide receiver on the school's football team. Audrey loves playing football and decides to join the team. But the other boys on the team only see her as a girl, not a football...

When did the chicken stop running on the basketball court? When it got to the fowl line! What is a basketball player's favourite food? A jam sandwich! If you love basketball and a good laugh, then this is the book for you! Hundreds of the funniest basketball jokes, riddles, and puns are sure to keep readers and their friends laughing...

Gymnastics Courage by Jake Maddox follows Dylan, whose gymnastics team won the level six championship last year. However, the team is now moving up a level, facing the challenges of level seven. Level seven introduces plenty of new challenges, including new required skills. To compete at this higher level, Dylan must add the fly-away to his high bar routine. He...

What do you call a dancing sheep? A baaa-llerina! What do you call a duck gymnast? A quack-robat! If you love dance, gymnastics, or cheerleading—and a good laugh—then this is the book for you! Hundreds of hilarious dance jokes, funny gymnastics riddles, and goofy cheerleading puns are sure to keep readers and their friends laughing from beginning to end. Hilarious...

Chery lives to dance. She has her own hip-hop dance crew and a signature move that’s a surefire showstopper. But when her crew is forced to break up, Chery is faced with joining her school’s hip-hop dance team. Trouble is, Chery’s not like most dance hopefuls who have formal training. She moves to the music based on what feels right...

Hula Heritage by Jake Maddox tells the story of Kai, who has worked hard to earn his spot as captain of his school’s volleyball team. However, his world is turned upside down when his family leaves Hawaii in search of better opportunities. Kai feels like he is losing his identity and everything he’s worked for. His family tries to help...

Why are ice hockey players never nervous? Because they’re all super chill. What’s the hardest part about hockey? The ice. If you love hockey and a good laugh, then Hysterical Hockey Jokes and Puns by Jake Maddox is the book for you! Hundreds of the funniest hockey jokes, puns, and one-liners are sure to keep readers and their friends laughing...

Twelve-year-old Tess has big plans to cure her summer boredom — hanging out with her friends. But when her parents insist she spend a week wakeboarding with her cousins at Aunt Laura and Uncle Scott's cabin, her plans go off track. Tess doesn't know her cousins well, and even worse — she's never wakeboarded. Will Tess gather the courage to...

Antonia is a great gamer. She's especially skilled at her favourite game called Mobius Bridge. She's a fierce fighter and can quickly knock enemies out of the game. Together with her esports teammates, they usually dominate other teams at the multiplayer online battle arena tournaments. When a new and inexperienced teammate joins them, Antonia volunteers to play a different role...

Levi can’t believe his ears when his new stepsister, Sofia, insists that karate isn’t a real sport. But he’s even more shocked when Sofia suddenly joins his karate school. Why is she there? And why can’t she be more respectful toward Levi and his friends? Soon, the sparring between the new siblings turns into an outright competition until Sofia tries...

Karate Rebels is relatable, encouraging sports fiction, perfect for young readers. Discussion questions and writing prompts support critical thinking and analysis of the text. With extra non-fiction information on the sport to keep kids reading after the story has finished.

In Keeping Football in the Family by Jake Maddox, Alejandro is a new high school quarterback with big shoes to fill—his brother's. But none of the plays that worked for his brother seem to be working for him. With Coach J threatening to bench him, Alejandro has to come up with something good fast. His sister Izzy just might be...

Eighth-grader Jared Shotpouch loved lacrosse—until his grandmother moved them off the reservation. Now he's at a new school and on a new team where nothing feels right. The other kids tease Jared about everything from his last name to his long, braided hair—and the worst bullies are his own teammates. Can Jared prove his skills on the field and teach...

Why didn't the coach let the pig play football? Because it was a ball hog! How do football players keep their jerseys free of wrinkles? They use the gridiron! If you love football--and a good laugh--then Laugh-Out-Loud Football Jokes and Puns is the book for you! Hundreds of hysterical football jokes, riddles, and puns are sure to keep readers and...

When Kendall receives a surprise email, he can hardly believe his luck. He's been invited to compete in an esports tournament for his favourite game, Ooze Escape! He loves battling his way to the top level in the game and trying to escape the deadly ooze that burns up everything—and everyone—in its path. There's just one problem—Kendall spends too much...

Twelve-year-old Ada Wilson doesn’t love sports, but her parents have signed her up for a sports camp. After her tennis-loving older sister suggests that Ada learn to play tennis so they can play together, Ada excitedly agrees. But at camp, she discovers that, to her, tennis isn’t nearly as fun as pickleball. What sport will Ada focus on, and will...

Twelve-year-old Calvin is skating his hardest in the hockey tournament. He's ready to bring the Blades a win! But then he takes a hard bodycheck during the first game. The hit leaves him feeling rattled. Nervous. Terrified. Now he's freezing up every time another player comes anywhere near him on the ice. Can Calvin find a way to work through...

It's been a year since Robert's brother died, and Robert is miserable. He no longer cares about school or friends, and he's angry all the time. When Robert is forced to join the soccer team, he wants to hate it. But the team's energy is contagious. Robert channels his brother's love of music into his game and starts rocking his...

Nina’s basketball dreams have been dashed. After moving to a small town, she learns her new school doesn’t have enough players to form a girls' basketball team. Nina is bummed until she finds out the boys' team is short one player and anyone can try out. Nina decides to take a shot, and her hoop hopes rebound when she wins...

Why did the soccer ball quit the team? It was tired of getting kicked around! How is a soccer player like a magician? They both like to do hat tricks! If you love soccer—and a good laugh—then Side-Splitting Soccer Jokes and Puns is the book for you! Hundreds of sidesplitting soccer jokes, riddles, and puns are sure to keep readers...

Skate Park Plans by Jake Maddox centres on Avani Patel, a passionate skateboarder. However, with the nearest skate park an hour away, she rarely has the opportunity to hone her skills or practice advanced tricks. One day, Avani discovers that the city council is contemplating building a skate park in town. Excitement builds, but it's far from confirmed. Avani and...

Jacob dreams of scoring goals in front of a crowd of cheering soccer fans. Unfortunately for him, he's stuck playing defence on a team with only four regular players. At this rate, his team will never be the best, and Jacob's dream of being the star player won't come true. When the local street soccer team challenges him to a...

Jacob, Mohammed, and Simon are pumped about being the most experienced players on this year's Narwhals' soccer squad. But during tryouts, a talented newcomer named Trevor begins showing up the competition. The three friends begin a scheme to sabotage Trevor and put him in his place. But at what cost? In Soccer Sabotage by Jake Maddox, discover the thrilling dynamics...

After working hard in the off-season, Quincy is thrilled to move up to a top-level soccer team and play with his friend Will. But the rest of his new teammates on the Vipers aren’t so excited. They give Quincy the cold shoulder, making it difficult for him to find his groove. But soon, Quincy begins to earn some respect. Then...

Jill never expected her week at surf camp to be interrupted by a hurricane, but one is heading for the North Carolina coast. Abby and Sara think surfing in a hurricane will be amazing. Then the waves get out of control. Time is running out, and the storm is coming. Storm Surfer by Jake Maddox takes readers on a gripping...

Jae Cho doesn't have much luck at playing games. But when she watches her brother, Dal, playing Castle Crusaders 5, the game's various strategies fascinate her. One day, when Dal leaves the game running on his computer, Jae can't resist playing for herself. Before long, she's hooked on the game and secretly playing online against others whenever she can. However,...

When country kid Langston is sent to spend the summer with family in the city, he's sad about missing an important basketball tournament. But then his cousin Ant introduces him to street basketball. After a rough start, Langston makes strides with this new way to play, largely thanks to Ant's tips and tricks. However, when Langston gets too much attention...

Lily Davis' big sister, Jana, has recently left home for basic training, and Lily really misses her soccer idol. But when Lily's parents and coach start pushing her to fill Jana's cleats, the pressure to be like the all-star striker is too much. Can Lily find the strength to be herself? With a glossary, writing prompts, discussion questions, and extra...

Why was Tarzan such a good hitter? He spent a lot of time practicing his swing! Why did the coach cut the singer from the softball team? She couldn't find the right pitch! If you love baseball or softball and love a good laugh, then Super Silly Baseball and Softball Jokes and Puns is the book for you! Hundreds of...

Rosie loves nothing more than spending her summers surfing while staying with her Aunt Hazel in Australia. But this summer, her cousin Flora is coming to visit too, and Aunt Hazel wants Rosie to teach Flora how to surf. Trouble is, Flora has a history of being mean to Rosie, and it doesn’t take long to figure out that Flora...

Last year, Belle was the fastest runner on her team. This year, she's determined to stay on top – to stay the team's GOAT. So when two new, superfast runners join the team and beat her in practice, Belle starts to worry. But she's got a plan. She'll train hard – she and her friend Mikey. However, Belle's plan becomes...

Devon Rosario has played basketball his whole life, and he's great at it. So great, in fact, that his dad, team, and community in the Bronx can't imagine him doing anything else. While Devon loves his team, he's not so happy with the rigid structure his success in the sport and his father's expectations have created. So when he sees...

When Robinson learns about wheelchair rugby during Super Sports Saturday, he can’t wait to try it. But then his family moves to Alabama to help take care of his grandma after she gets hurt. Robinson’s in luck—his dad tells him about an organisation called the Shore that has a wheelchair rugby team. Robinson’s in for quite a rush as he...

Last season, James was so close to winning the regional wrestling championship. He just couldn't beat a kid named Tristan. But he's been training, and this year, he is ready. So when Tristan moves to the area and shows up at James's team practice, James can't believe it. But if James wants to have the great season he's worked so...