About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
Kat is thrilled to be competing in a junior tennis championship at Melbourne Park for the first time.
But things are off to a horrible start. Kat's doubles partner, Miri, is sneaking around at night and asking Kat to cover for her. She's also playing terribly, almost costing them their match. Miri's boyfriend, Hamish, one of the top competitors, seems unaware of her unusual behavior. When strange things begin happening to throw off Hamish's game, Kat suspects that Miri may be involved. Who is trying to sabotage Hamish? And can Kat put a stop to the plot before it's too late?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
Contributor Notes
Sonya Spreen Bates is a Canadian writer living in South Australia. She began writing children’s fiction in 2001, inspired by her two daughters and their love of the stories she told them. Sonya’s stories have been published in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Topspin is her first title in the Orca Sports series.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Commended, Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection
Editorial Reviews
"This fast-paced read will surely appeal to reluctant teen [readers] that enjoy a combination of sports and mystery. An easy pick for upper middle school and high school readers."
— Lower Columbia Review Group WLMA
"A well-paced, engaging and believable story."
— Resource Links
"Interspersed with this fun, fast paced mystery, Topspin also treats readers to exhilarating tennis sequences...Kat is an intelligent and likeable character whose commitment to her chosen sport is very appealing. Her sleuthing while off the court is as enjoyable and suspense-filled as the best literary female detectives. Action abounds both on and off the courts, speeding the reader along to a satisfying conclusion in this new Orca Sports novel, perfect for, but not limited in appeal to ‘tween reluctant readers...Highly Recommended."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"Bates doesn’t hold back on action, whether athletic or otherwise. Cheating, blackmail, and drugs make for a scandalous romp in the usually squeaky clean world of tennis. Matches are recalled at breathless speed...[Kat] is an enthusiastic narrator and keeps the stakes of each bout high...Tennis fans should find plenty to cheer about in this sporty endeavor."
— Booklist
