Tournament of Champions (Rip and Red Series #3)

by Phil Bildner, Tim Probert (Illustrator)

Overview

Fifth grade is a game changer for two best friends in this illustrated middle grade novel—the third book in the funny and engaging Rip and Red series.

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 the Clifton United team. While the tournament is only a short bus ride away, the 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 who could derail the entire weekend. As for Red, who has autism, he's never traveled anywhere without his mother. Will he go on the trip? Fortunately for both best friends, the team has an unlikely and inspiring new addition who helps everyone discover the true meaning of the word champion.

With an energetic and authentic story from author Phil Bildner and dynamic black-and-white illustrations from Tim Probert, Tournament of Champions is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship. Featuring a diverse cast of characters and an array of kid-friendly discussable topics, this series is perfect for reluctant readers and in-class or independent reading.

Don’t miss any of Rip and Red’s adventures for elementary and middle school readers ages 8-12:

● A Whole New Ballgame

● Rookie of the Year

● Tournament of Champions

● Most Valuable Players

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250158437
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	05/29/2018
Series:	Rip and Red Series , #3
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	392,725
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Phil Bildner is a former New York City public school teacher who lives in Newburgh, New York with his husband, dog, and cats. He is the author of many picture books and novels, including the acclaimed coming-of-age story A High Five for Glenn Burke as well as the middle grade Rip & Red series.

Tim Probert has illustrated children’s books, including Pickle by Kim Baker, as well as magazines and advertisements. He is also a director at the animation studio Aardman Nathan Love. He lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

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

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

From the Publisher

2017-03-29
The latest installment of the Rip and Red series features more basketball action and slices of middle school life. Mason "Rip" Irving and Blake "Red" Daniels are finishing their fifth-grade year at Reese Jones Elementary school. When their coach, Mr. Acevedo, announces an invitation for their travel-league basketball team to play in the upcoming tournament of champions, the boys are excited. But when Rip's father comes back into his life as a chaperone for the trip, Rip feels "the best basketball weekend of my life was turning into a disaster." Rip's father (who is white) hasn't been in his life for a long time, and now he may be a distraction at the worst possible time. More than the abundant basketball action, Bildner's diverse cast of characters is what energizes this tremendously engaging story. Rip is mixed-race (his mom is black), Red is white and on the autism spectrum, and Diego Vasquez, Latino and a cancer survivor, is back playing ball. "You learn a lot about how you deal with things when you have cancer," Diego tells Rip. But every character has issues to face, and each student, including Rip, comes to realize that "Life is about playing the cards you're dealt." Another solid volume in a fun and lively series. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews