Books with author Steven Barnes

Renna Rashad is not only captain, she's also de facto coach of her basketball team. But when a rival from an opposing team takes a vacant spot on the team, Renna faces some tough choices she wasn't prepared for. It starts with a shove in the hall, then a slight on the team's online blog, followed by exclusion from a team social event, and finally an uncalled-for move on the court that leaves her injured. Will Renna admit she's the target of bullying before her beloved team is torn apart?

Renna Rashad is not only captain, she's also de facto coach of her basketball team. But when a rival from an opposing team takes a vacant spot on the team, Renna faces some tough choices she wasn't prepared for. It starts with a shove in the hall, then a slight on the team's online blog, followed by exclusion from a team social event, and finally an uncalled-for move on the court that leaves her injured. Will Renna admit she's the target of bullying before her beloved team is torn apart?

Jordy Lee and his friends spend all their free time on their skateboards, navigating the crowded streets of Toronto's Kensington Market. They are thrilled when a new skateboarding park opens and offers a youth competition with a rich prize. The talented Alisha might be able to coach Jordy to a win, but what will his friends think about Jordy getting advice from a cute girl? Steven Barwin is a novelist, television writer, and teacher. His previous Sports Stories novels, Slam Dunk and Roller Hockey Blues, were both Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice selections. He lives in Toronto, Ontario with his family.

Hockey is all Tyler ever wanted to do. But when he finally makes the select team, things aren't how he imagined it. Tyler divides his time between playing for fun in house league and playing high-stakes hockey in select. But trying to succeed at both is wearing him down: the house league team accuses him of holding back, and the pressure to win during select games is immense. And the pressure isn't just coming from the players and the coach, it's also coming from his hockey-loving mom. Tyler's burnt out and feeling crushed by the stress, but how can he give up the game he loves? In Making Select, author Steven Barwin tackles a hockey issue that has been much talked about in recent years—youth hockey burnout.

Jordy Lee and his friends spend all their free time on their skateboards, navigating the crowded streets of Toronto's Kensington Market. They are thrilled when a new skateboarding park opens and offers a youth competition with a rich prize. The talented Alisha might be able to coach Jordy to a win, but what will his friends think about Jordy getting advice from a cute girl? Steven Barwin is a novelist, television writer, and teacher. His previous Sports Stories novels, Slam Dunk and Roller Hockey Blues, were both Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice selections. He lives in Toronto, Ontario with his family.

Sixteen-year-old Angelo moved to Toronto from the Philippines to join his mother, who has been living and working in Canada for most of his life. Adjusting to a new country isn't easy, but when Angelo's mother takes him to the Filipino Community Centre he meets Marcus who has shared the same experience. At school, Marcus introduces Angelo to Felix and Darius. The boys quickly show Angelo how no one respects poor Filipino immigrants and lure him into running petty thefts as a way of evening the score. But when the group is faced with consequences will Angelo have the courage to go against his friends and set things right?

Teen homelessness is not always connected to poverty and crime. Sometimes there's more to the story. No Known Address follows a teen named Tyler from a privileged family in Victoria, British Columbia, who is kicked out of his home by his abusive dad after being blamed for bringing prescription narcotics to a party. This novel brings to light the serious nature of verbal and emotional abuse and how difficult it is to be understood and access support in such circumstances.