Gassman, Julie. You Can’t Spike Your Serves

Gassman, Julie.           You Can’t Spike Your Serves         

Stone Arch see Capstone      2011 56p       18.99  978-1-4342-2231-2           

elem    Realistic Fiction          Sports Illustrated Kids (Capstone) VG-BNes        

Alicia wants to raise money to help a friend’s

school buy new cheer pompoms.  When her school has a visiting volleyball star, a

tournament is planned as a fund raiser to help the school of Alicia’s friend.

            Alicia attends a school to prepare promising athletes.  She is very good

at jumping.  A volleyball star comes to her school to teach  volleyball skills

to the fourth grade.  Over the summer Alicia met a girl at another school and

they became friends.  The friend’s school needs to buy new pompoms for the

cheerleaders but does not have the money.  Alicia has the idea of a volleyball

tournament as a fund raiser.  In preparation Alicia learns the skills of

volleyball and how to apply her special talents.

  Students will learn some of the skills in volleyball as well as the value of

practice.  Reluctant readers will enjoy the action in this story.  It encourages

the development of female athletes.          The Victory School Superstars group of

the Sports Illustrated Kids series includes 18 titles pending or in publication. 

Each tells the story of one sport and a kid with super skills and ability.

            Theal, Joan