THE ELLIE MCDOODLE DIARIES: MOST VALUABLE PLAYER by Ruth McNally Barshaw

Ellie learns about teamwork in this volume of the series. Ellie has several group projects at school as well as a soccer team and a "Journey of the Mind" team. Some of the groups work together better than others - and Ellie is better at some of the tasks than she is at others. Part of what she has to figure out is what sort of team player she wants to be, especially when she doesn't have as much to contribute to the team.

This was a great story! It had the same feeling I loved in the original Ellie McDoodle story. Ellie is part of a creative family, and the story has a positive message about perseverance. I enjoy telling students about this series. Ellie is a positive girl who really works to make the best of things. It is a joy to spend time with her and her friends and family, especially in this story. The art style is fun and appealing. I hope you will check this out!

4 out of 5 stars

GAME CHANGERS by Mike Lupica

Ben McBain is a quarterback - at least, in his heart. In reality, he's a small guy for his age, and he hasn't been able to get a coach to give him a chance. It's not likely to happen this year either as the other guy trying out is the coach's son. Shawn is streaky behind center, but his dad makes him QB anyway. In his determination to be positive and be a team player, Ben reaches out to Shawn and tries to help him. But Shawn doesn't seem to know how to lead a team - or how to respond to overtures of friendship. And when Shawn's dad benches Shawn, the team's record improves under Ben's leadership, but the team relationships get a lot more complicated.

This was a great story!! This is not a book I would have picked up on my own; it's one of the books in our fall Scholastic book fair. But I loved it! Great family relationships - not perfect, but loving and wanting the best. Great group of friends, too - they don't always agree with Ben but they always have his back. Great football - win or lose. Great themes of family, identity, teamwork and attitude.

5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 5.2

There is a second book in the series (Playmakers, with an AR reading level of 5.4) and a third book, Heavy Hitters, coming out in February 2014.