**The third book in a fun, illustrated middle-grade series about
friendship, school, and basketball.
**
It's spring of their fifth-grade year and Rip and Red have a thrilling
opportunity to participate in a weekend basketball tournament with a few
other members of Clifton United. While the tournament is only a short
bus ride away, both boys will travel outside their comfort zones.
Ultra-competitive Rip must play on a team with kids he doesn't like. But
he faces an even bigger hurdle when someone from his past returns,
someone he hasn't seen in years, someone who just may derail the entire
weekend. As for Red, because of his autism spectrum disorder, he's never
traveled anywhere without his mother. Will he muster the courage to take
the trip?
Fortunately for both boys, also on the team is an unlikely addition, a
source of inspiration who helps everyone discover the true meaning of
the word champion.
Tournament of Champions by Phil Bildner, with illustrations by Tim
Probert, is a fun, fast-paced, and diverse middle grade novel perfect
for reluctant readers and sports fans.
Read all of the Rip and Red series:
A Whole New Ballgame
Rookie of the Year
Tournament of Champions
Most Valuable Players
Praise for Rookie of the Year:
"This fast, fun read featuring characters who love books as much as
basketball will appeal to sports fans and nonathletes alike." --School
Library Journal
"A diverse cast of characters highlights this good-natured,
high-spirited slice of life." --Kirkus Reviews
Praise for A Whole New Ballgame:
"The book depicts the evolution of a group of fifth graders who learn a
lot, grow a lot, and help one another . . . The charming and diverse
characters [are] pure fun with a lot of heart." --School Library
Journal
"If the students are inspiring, so is [their teacher] Mr. Acevedo, who
risks his job to do such radical things as reading aloud and encouraging
free reading. (He's supposed to be preparing the kids to take tests!)
Probert's cartoonish illustrations lend energy and personality to the
likable cast of characters." --Kirkus Reviews
"This warm slice-of-life novel from Bildner engages and entertains . . .
Probert's energetic illustrations match the positive exuberance of the
story." --Publishers Weekly
"With its energetic and authentic story and artwork, this is a fresh,
fun book about school, sports, and friendship." --Children's Book
Council
