Books with author Rich Wallace

Riley feels like the smallest kid at sports camp. In fact, he is. He just turned eleven in April, but most kids here are twelve, and a few are even thirteen—and gigantic. It’s hard enough for a shrimp like Riley to fit in. He just doesn’t want to be the weak link as his bunk competes for the Camp Olympia Trophy.Riley knows he’s no good at strength and accuracy games like basketball and softball. But when it comes to speed and endurance events, like running and swimming, he’s better than he looks. He’s pretty sure he can place in the top ten—and bring in major trophy points—in the final mile-long swim race across Lake Surprise. But he doesn’t count on being followed by the shadow of Big Joe, the giant vicious snapping turtle of camp lore. Wasn’t that supposed to be a legend?

the guys call him Dunk, but Cornell Duncan couldn’t dunk from a six-foot ladder. He’s flat-footed and slow and can jump only about two inches off the ground. but put him at the foul line and he’s a star—a free-throw magician. that’s the main reason he made the Hudson City all-star basketball team, which, if the team keeps winning, is headed to the state tournament. but just when Hudson City seems to have a good chance at going all the way, Dunk gets a wake-up call. Following a few disastrous minutes off the bench, he realizes that it’ll take more than free throws to make him a real all-star.

The pressures of being an undercover reporter are getting to Eddie Ventura. No one on his baseball team has realized that he is the anonymous writer behind all the great new coverage their team has been getting from their school newspaper. The only problem is?not everyone is thrilled with the stories, or the uncanny way their secrets are being leaked to the press. Should Eddie quit writing for the school newspaper before his secret is uncovered?

Jimmy Fleming throws left, bats right and left, and is hoping to become Hudson City’s newest pitcher. But while he makes the team, things don’t go just the way he’d hoped. His teammates aren’t too welcoming, and his time on the mound is less than stellar. It doesn’t help that his dad is applying more and more pressure on him to be a star pitcher. Before long, Jimmy is wishing he’d never come to Hudson City. But Jimmy isn’t one to give up, and just when the season hits a low point, Jimmy’s pitches—and his attitude—begin to find their mark.

Jason Fiorelli is having a great year as wingback on the Hudson City Hornets. Twenty-seven receptions, six touchdowns, and fifty points for the season! Now with only three games left, the league title is within reach, until -- disaster -- the Hornets' star quarterback has a season-ending injury. And Wade, the replacement quarterback doesn't have the talent to take charge.In a surprise move, Coach sends Jason in as emergency quarterback. It's an opportunity to save the season, but it also feeds the rivalry between Wade and Jason. With the championship game drawing near, can the Hornets pull it together in time to work as a team?

Manny Ramos is the fastest guy on the Hudson City Youth football team—maybe even the fastest in his school—so the new track club seems perfect for him. His light weight could finally be a benefit instead of a curse! When he first sees the enormous indoor sporting complex where he’ll race some of the fastest guys around, Manny is awed. Will his time in the 800 meters be any competition for guys who’ve been racing for years? Manny is determined to put in the time and effort to be a track contender He’s finally found his sport.

Jimmy Fleming throws left, hits right and left, and is hoping to become Hudson City’s newest pitcher.Having moved from Pennsylvania, he’s looking forward to making some new friends and playing the sport he loves. But while he makes the team, things don’t go the way he’d hoped. His teammates aren’t too welcoming and his time on the mound is less than stellar. It doesn’t help that his dad is applying more and more pressure to be a star pitcher. Before long, Jimmy is wishing he’d never left Pennsylvania. But Jimmy isn’t one to give up, and just when the season hits a low point, Jimmy’s pitches—and his attitude—begin to find their mark.

Slimmed down and in great shape, Dunk is thrilled to make the school basketball team as a secondstring center. Jared, the starting center, is the best player on the team. But when Jared begins missing practice as well as the shots he used to make, Dunk is on the court more than he expected. He’s playing better than ever, but will that jeopardize his friendship with Jared?

It's the summer of 1969. We've just landed on the moon, the Vietnam War is heating up, the Mets are beginning their famous World Series run, and Woodstock is rocking upstate New York. Down in New Jersey, twelve-year-old Brody is mostly concerned with the top ten hits on the radio and how much playing time he'll get on the football team. But when he goes along for the ride to Woodstock with his older brother and sees the mass of humanity there, he starts to wake up to the world around him-a world that could take away the brother he loves.

ASK ANYBODY AROUND East Scranton High School: Michael Kerrigan is almost too good to be true. Dedicated athlete, captain of the track team, editorial assistant (obituary writer) at the Scranton Observer, he's never been in trouble, and he doesn't associate with troublemakers. This is the most important track season of his life - and he's ready.That is, until the police find four joints in his locker. Soon Mike's seemingly perfect world is threatened, and with pressure coming from his parents, his childhood best friend, and his sort-of girlfriend, Mike is faced with a choice - a choice that will determine the kind of athlete, friend, and man he becomes.

It's soccer season, and sophomore Bones Austin and his team are struggling to make it to the district play-offs--against all odds. To make matters worse, Bones has a crush on the girlfriend of his best friend, Joey. Bones and Joey are forced to learn a little something about teamwork, even when hard times seem to be tearing them apart. Rich Wallace returns to Sturbridge, Pennsylvania, in his stunning follow-up to Wreslting Strubirdge, in Knopf Paperback for the first time.

Some might think Jay was cheated. By his mother, who walked out when he was 9. By his dad, who took a job a couple thousand miles away and let him stay above a bar in a one-room apartment. By the basketball coach, who saw his talent but chose youth over determination. And even Jay’s not sure whether this last year of high school in the small town of Sturbridge, Pennsylvania, will add up to anything. But just when senior year seems a waste–kissing the wrong girls, offending the right ones, playing basketball on a church league with other “rejects”–life begins to click again. The church league gives him some of the best basketball he’s ever played, and the right girl gives him a second chance. Jay may not know what he wants next out of life, but he’s beginning to get a clue about how to play the game.