To Jump Or Not To Jump! You Can't Spike Your Serves by Julie Gassman

I AM A CHEERLEADER HERE AT THE VICTORY SCHOOL FOR SUPER ATHLETES. LIKE ALL THE STUDENTS AT VICTORY, I HAVE A SUPER SKILL -- JUMPING!

When a gold-medalist volleyball player comes to Victory School as guest coach, Alicia is sure that her jumping skill will make playing volleyball a cinch for her. She's so excited about learning a new game from a world-famous athlete that she gets a real inspiration. She should organize a fund-raiser for her friend Jenny's cheerleading squad to buy new uniforms and equipment. A volleyball tournament will be something new for Victory School.

But Alicia has a problem. In Olympian Reece's special classes, Alicia shines at jumping up to spike the ball over the net. But she discovers that her jumping ability is a problem with her serves.

I THROW THE BALL UP LIKE REECE HAD SHOWN US. WITHOUT THINKING, I JUMP UP. SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE BALL, I HIT IT WITH MY RIGHT HAND, BUT IT SLAMS TOWARD THE GROUND

"NICE TRY, ALICIA, BUT YOU CAN'T SPIKE YOUR SERVES," SHE TEASES. "KEEP THOSE FEET ON THE FLOOR!"

I TRY AGAIN, BUT MY FEET KEEP LEAPING UP.

Alicia doesn't give up easily, but she is discouraged when she can't get a single serve over the net. And it's going to be embarrassing if the benefit's organizer can't even play the game!

But pro Reece Robinson has a few elite moves up her sleeve, and she shows Alicia a powerful, but little-used serve, the "jump serve,"

"YOU TAKE A FEW STEPS TOWARD THE BALL AND JUMP UP AS YOU HIT IT. BE SURE TO STAY BEHIND THE BALL, NOT ABOVE IT," REECE EXPLAINS.

With just a little practice, Alicia finds the jump and strike technique is a natural for her, and now she can't wait for the tournament!

It's a winner for Alicia's power serve and for the fund raiser, in Julie Gassman's You Can't Spike Your Serves (Sports Illustrated Kids Victory School Superstars) (Stone Arch/Sports Illustrated). With emphasis on the anxiety that goes along with learning a new skill--even if you are a star at your sport--the Victory School Superstars put the emphasis, not just on winning and starring at a sport, but on cooperation, teamwork, and loyalty to each other, all in a breezy, easy-reading, illustrated chapter book for young elementary students. Pair this one with Julie Gassman's Cheerleading Really Is a Sport (Sports Illustrated Kids Victory School Superstars).