I’ve written fourteen books for middle graders and young adults, including:
Airball: My Life in Briefs
Roaring Brook Press
ISBN: 1596430605
Kirby Nickel goes out for basketball for one reason: a chance to meet the NBA superstar he’s sure is his father. But when Coach buys Stealth Uniforms (think “The Emperor’s New Clothesâ€) to improve the no-talent seventh-grade team, Kirby finds himself playing basketball in his underwear. And just like that, Kirby’s once-in-a-lifetime chance turns into a full-court mess.
“This fresh, first-person novel will have readers laughing at times, feeling Kirby’s pain at others, and moved at the end. . . Harkrader offers an amusing, wholly affectionate portrayal of a small-town community’s devotion to basketball and of a klutzy kid’s success on the court in spite of himself.†—Booklist
“Moving as fluidly as a basketball superstar in action, this big-hearted first novel is set in a Kansas town renowned as the home of Brett McGrew, now a famous NBA player. . . Even non-basketball fans will savor the on-court action and will cheer loudly for these determined players, especially endearingly ingenuous Kirby.†—Publishers Weekly
“Universal appeal. . . particularly for middle school readers who will see themselves in Kirby and his friends.†—VOYA
“The story has charm.†—Kirkus Reviews
“This book is hilarious!†—YA Books Central
“Airball is perfection.†—Midwest Book Review
• Juvenile Literary Award, Friends of American Writers
• A Kansas Notable Book
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age
• Bank Street College Best Books of the Year
• William Allen White Award Nominee
• Texas Lonestar Award Nominee
• Maine Student Book Award Nominee
• Thorpe Menn Award Finalist
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