Lay-ups and Long Shots: An Anthology of Short Stories [Hardcover]

Joseph Bruchac (Author), Lynea Bowdish (Author), David Lubar (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In the tradition of Sports Shorts (2005), Darby Creek has another serving of sports-related short stories. Purely fiction, these stories tell the tales of athletes in a variety of sports, including track, football, martial arts, Ping Pong, and dirt bike riding. The characters face obstacles to overcome such things as being overweight, being over-confident, and being impatient. Reluctant readers will enjoy these short pieces, each with a memorable character and a relatable problem.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—Nine authors for children and young adults team up for this compilation of short stories whose focus is the spirit of the game. As with Sports Shorts (Darby Creek, 2005), which included contributions from several of the same authors, these accessible and engaging selections cover a wide range of sports, from basketball to surfing to BMX riding. The protagonists are not star players. Instead, they are the second- or third-stringers who love their particular sport so much that they are willing to be less than perfect. Readers will feel Joseph Bruchac's angst when the coach tells him that he's not cut out to play on his high school basketball team, as well as his sense of triumph when he sinks several shots in a row at home, taking the small victory as a sign that his grandfather will not succumb to poor health. David Lubar introduces Tyler, whose pursuit of the Ping-Pong championship trophy becomes so all-consuming that he learns an important lesson about the price of self-reliance. Whether the stories are based on the authors' own childhoods or not, these protagonists are engaging, and middle schoolers will find much to relate to in the reassuring reminders that perfection is highly overrated. A great way to introduce reluctant readers to some talented voices.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
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From Booklist

Written by many of the same authors but aimed at a younger audience than the entries in Sports Shorts (2005), these nine new short stories feature tweens or teens who, despite lack of skill or other obstacles, engage in athletic pursuits. Some, such as Joseph Bruchac’s account of failed early basketball dreams and champion canoer Jamie McEwan’s tale of a kayaker who almost loses his shorts in a spill, have autobiographical elements. Terry Trueman tracks an exciting game of “H-O-R-S-E” in a mix of prose and free verse; Jeff’s disability becomes an asset on the football field in Max Elliot Anderson’s “Big Foot”; and in Lynea Bowdish’s “Fat Girls Don’t Run,” overweight Carla turns out to be faster in a race than anyone—including she herself—expects. Consistently readable and engaging, the collection should have as much appeal for geeks as it does for jocks. Grades 4-6. --John Peters

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing (October 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581960786
• ISBN-13: 978-1581960785
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #625,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A really good story, May 13, 2009

By 

Susan Lohrer (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lay-ups and Long Shots: An Anthology of Short Stories (Hardcover)

My eleven-year-old son loved this book, especially Max Anderson's "Big Foot." In his words, "Big Foot in Lay Ups and Long Shots was a great story. Even though Jeff couldn't run, he could sure kick! It was a really good story."

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review, October 5, 2008

By 

Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stor... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lay-ups and Long Shots: An Anthology of Short Stories (Hardcover)

REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
We have all heard the old saying, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." Darby Creek Publishing says, "It's whether
you get out there and play the game!" In this sequel to Sport Shorts, nine contemporary authors provide short stories that depict the problems and difficulties all athletes must conquer in order to be successful in their sports. Joseph Bruchac and Terry Trueman both investigate basketball and perseverance. Lynea Bowdish tells about a girl who cannot climb a rope in gym class but finds out what she can do. David Lubar explores how one boy trained to be the next table tennis champion. CS Perryess looks at a BMX rider who isn't really sure that dirt-bike racing is a girl's sport. Dorian Cirrone discusses how a surfer overcame his boundaries and enjoyed the ride. Jamie McEwan talks about a boy's embarrassing incident during whitewater rafting. Max Eliot Anderson focuses on the new kid in school with an unusual ability who goes out for the football team. And Peggy Duffy describes one girl's challenges when she is caught between her traditional Korean upbringing and her American love of soccer.
Any child who engages in sports should really like these stories. However, as they demonstrate (or seek to promote) good attitudes on the
part of both those who play and those who watch, they can be beneficial for athletes and benchwarmers alike. Indeed, they will inspire and
encourage all young people to let that athlete within have a try. Aimed primarily at middle-school-aged students, each of the stories has an
special plot twist or surprise that will make them interesting reading for people of every age. The book is a Junior Library Guild Selection and certainly deserves the honor. Never much of a sports person myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and give it my hearty endorsement.