Book excerpt: An eighth-grade basketball player has amazing shooting talent but could use a little team spirit in this novel “bound to engage and entertain young readers” (School Library Journal). Richie Mallon is known as “the shooter”—the one on the team who scores most of the baskets. Every day he practices at his driveway hoop, perfecting his technique. Richie never plays any other roles on the court, leaving it to his teammates to do the assisting and rebounding. Under a new coach, Richie makes the team, but isn’t given a starting position. Then, when his shooting skills fall into a slump, he must find a way to become a more well-rounded player. With over 440,000 copies sold, Fred Bowen’s Sports Story Series continues to deliver play-by-play action that’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.