New Releases by Phil Bildner

A "Best Book of the Year" from School Library Journal and Chicago Public Library A People''s Pick for the Best LGBTQ+ Kids Books for Pride Month A Book Riot Best Recent LGBTQ+ Picture Books Selection An American Library Association Rainbow Book List Selection An inspiring picture book biography about Glenn Burke, the first Major League Baseball player to come out as gay, and the story of how he created the world’s most recognizable handshake, the high five. Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Glenn Burke could do it all—hit, throw, run, field. He was the heart of the clubhouse who energized his teammates with his enthusiasm and love for the game. It was that energy that led Glenn to invent the high five one October day back in 1977—a spontaneous gesture after a home run that has since evolved into our universal celebratory greeting. But despite creating this joyful symbol, Glenn Burke, a gay Black man, wasn’t always given support and shown acceptance in return. From acclaimed author Phil Bildner, with illustrations from Daniel J. O''Brien, this moving picture book biography recognizes the challenges Burke faced while celebrating how his bravery and his now-famous handshake helped pave the way for others to live openly and free.

A 2021 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020 A 2021 ALA Rainbow Book A Bank Street Best Book of 2021 A heartfelt and relatable novel from Phil Bildner, weaving the real history of Los Angeles Dodger and Oakland Athletic Glenn Burke--the first professional baseball player to come out as gay--into the story of a middle-school kid learning to be himself. When sixth grader Silas Wade does a school presentation on former Major Leaguer Glenn Burke, it''s more than just a report about the irrepressible inventor of the high five. Burke was a gay baseball player in the 1970s—and for Silas, the presentation is his own first baby step toward revealing a truth about himself he''s tired of hiding. Soon he tells his best friend, Zoey, but the longer he keeps his secret from his baseball teammates, the more he suspects they know something''s up—especially when he stages one big cover-up with terrible consequences. A High Five for Glenn Burke is Phil Bildner''s most personal novel yet—a powerful story about the challenge of being true to yourself, especially when not everyone feels you belong on the field.

Fifth grade is a game changer for two best friends in this illustrated middle grade novel—the third book in the funny and engaging Rip and Red series. It''s spring of their fifth-grade year and Rip and Red have a thrilling opportunity to participate in a weekend basketball tournament with a few other members of the Clifton United team. While the tournament is only a short bus ride away, the boys will travel outside their comfort zones. Ultra-competitive Rip must play on a team with kids he doesn''t like. But he faces an even bigger hurdle when someone from his past returns—someone who could derail the entire weekend. As for Red, who has autism, he''s never traveled anywhere without his mother. Will he go on the trip? Fortunately for both best friends, the team has an unlikely and inspiring new addition who helps everyone discover the true meaning of the word champion. With an energetic and authentic story from author Phil Bildner and dynamic black-and-white illustrations from Tim Probert, Tournament of Champions is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship. Featuring a diverse cast of characters and an array of kid-friendly discussable topics, this series is perfect for reluctant readers and in-class or independent reading. Don’t miss any of Rip and Red’s adventures for elementary and middle school readers ages 8-12: ● A Whole New Ballgame ● Rookie of the Year ● Tournament of Champions ● Most Valuable Players

Traces the friendship and rivalry of tennis stars Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.

Fifth grade is turned upside for two best friends when a spunky new student joins their class in this illustrated middle grade novel—the second book in the funny and engaging Rip and Red series. Just when they think they''ve got the hang of things, Rip and Red find that fifth grade continues to challenge them in head-spinning ways. Tiki, a new girl whose Egyptian dad is an animal-rights activist, has just joined their class. She''s charismatic, funny—and she''s got game! Rip has his world turned upside down as Tiki proves to be tough competition on the Clifton United basketball team and leads a rebellion against the lousy new food service in the school cafeteria. Red, who has autism, is struggling with the upheavals as well. But as these two funky and funny best friends discover, sometimes radical change is the right move, on the court and off. With an energetic and authentic story from author Phil Bildner and dynamic black-and-white illustrations from Tim Probert, Rookie of the Year is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship. Featuring a diverse cast of characters and an array of kid-friendly discussable topics, this series is perfect for reluctant readers and in-class or independent reading. Don’t miss any of Rip and Red’s adventures for elementary and middle school readers ages 8-12: ● A Whole New Ballgame ● Rookie of the Year ● Tournament of Champions ● Most Valuable Players

After watching a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, Gideon wants to get an autograph from his favorite player, but he becomes separated from his family, and ends up in a magical adventure.

A school, sports, and friendship story perfect for fans of Mike Lupica''s Comeback Kids.

In New Orleans, there lived a man who saw the streets as his calling, and he swept them clean. He danced up one avenue and down another and everyone danced along. The old ladies whistled and whirled. The old men hooted and hollered. The barbers, bead twirlers, and beignet bakers bounded behind that one-man parade. But then came the rising Mississippi—and a storm greater than anyone had seen before. In this heartwarming book about a real garbage man, Phil Bildner and John Parra tell the inspiring story of a humble man and the heroic difference he made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Plus, this is the fixed format version, which will look almost identical to the print version. Additionally for devices that support audio, this ebook includes a read-along setting.

In a country struggling with acceptance, hope can come in many different forms. As a boy, Hector loved playing soccer in his small Johannesburg township. He dreamed of playing on a real pitch with the boys from another part of the city, but apartheid made that impossible. Then, in 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and apartheid began to crumble. The march toward freedom in South Africa was a slow one, but when the beloved Bafana Bafana national soccer team won the African Cup of Nations, Hector realized that dreams once impossible could now come true. This poignant story of friendship artfully depicts a brief but critical moment in South Africa’s history and the unique role that sports can play in bringing people together.

After the rousing success in New Orleans, the Paynes face yet another crushing defeat when the Chancellor’s thugs finally steal the baseball—and kill their uncle in the process. Faced with a second funeral in as many months, Griffith, Ruby, and Graham are determined to beat the Chancellor at his own game and save their family as well as the game of baseball. Pulling into their hometown of Baltimore, the Paynes are reunited with a familiar face, and the Travelin’ Nine are tested on the field once again. Can they win without the help of their baseball? Prepare for fireworks in this final inning to the grand slam series, Sluggers!

After jumping off the train to St. Louis, Griffith, Woody, and Dog find their way back to the Travelin’ Nine. Meanwhile, the rest of the team prepares for the next game—but before they can even get warmed up, the game is cancelled. Still fearing they are being followed and even more worried they have a traitor in their midst, the team travels to New Orleans, where the magic of their ball and the music of the city create one memorable game. But like always, trouble is right around the corner and the hits keep on coming for the Payne family and all of the Travelin’ Nine!

Griffith, Graham, and Ruby''s father passed away in the war. And now they must join their mother and their father''s wartime traveling baseball team, The Travelin'' Nine, on a tour of America to raise money. No one will tell the kids why the team needs money so badly. Their only clue is a baseball with a hole the size of an acorn in it that their Uncle Owen gave to them the night of their father''s funeral. They know very little about its significance except that their father made it with his own two hands and carried it with him throughout the war. And when all three kids hold the ball, strange things begin to happen...

An invaluable Bible Atlas for the Bible reader and student, with 79 original, full-colour maps of Bible lands. Maps are carefully annotated to show the routes of the great travellers such as Abraham, Moses and Paul; major battles, migrations and invasions; and include explanatory captions detailing the significance of each noted location. Richly illustrated in full-colour throughout e" with photographs, charts and diagrams e" the text clearly chronicles the story of God''s people from the call of Abraham to the early spread of the Christian church.

This inspirational picture book is based on the true story of Shoeless Joe Jackson and his bat, two of the greatest players in baseball history. Some say Shoeless Joe Jackson was the greatest hitter ever. But Shoeless Joe had a partner: his bat, Black Betsy. And if not for the faithful Black Betsy, Joe might never even have made it to the major leagues.

Bildner tells a heartwarming father-and-son story against the backdrop of the"Greatest Game Ever Played," the 1958 NFL championship. Full color. 11x 8 1/2.

Darcy Miller wants to play for the boys'' high school baseball team, but in just a few short months, Darcy goes from typical high school senior to a trash-talk-show candidate as the ridiculous meets the sublime in this debut novel.

More than just a story about baseball, this is a sweeping view of life in Brooklyn in the summer of 1951, from its streets, to its Cyclone, to its stadium.

After the Brooklyn Bridge is completed, eight-year-old Hannah, enlists the help of P.T. Barnum and his twenty-one elephants to prove to her father and all of Brooklyn that the bridge is safe.