Rip and Red is a middle-grade children's book series written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Tim Probert, and published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. The series consists of four books: A Whole New Ball Game (2015), Rookie of the Year (2016), Tournament of Champions (2017), and Most Valuable Players (2018). All four books are Junior Library Guild selections.[1][2][3][4]
The title characters are fifth-grade students Mason "Rip" Irving and his best friend, Blake "Red" Daniels; Rip is an African American who loves playing basketball, while Red is autistic and a great free-throw shooter.[5]
A Whole New Ball Game (2015)
A Whole New Ballgame was published August 18, 2015.
School Library Journal called the book "[p]ure fun with a lot of heart."[6] Kirkus Reviews noted that the "[c]artoony illustrations lend energy and personality to the likable cast of characters," making it a "school story with heart."[5] Publishers Weekly[7] and the Children’s Book Council[8] also proffered positive reviews.
| Year | Accolade | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Junior Library Guild | Selection | [1] |
| 2015 | Cybils Awards for Middle Grade Fiction | Nominee | |
| 2016 | Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 3–5 | Selection | |
| 2016-2017 | Maine Student Book Award | Nominee | [9] |
| 2017 | Rhode Island Children's Book Award | ||
| 2017-2018 | Virginia Readers Choice (Elementary) | ||
| Sunshine State Young Readers Award | |||
| 2018 | Nutmeg Book Award Intermediate | ||
| 2018-2019 | Oregon Battle of the Books |
Rookie of the Year (2016)
Rookie of the Year was published July 12, 2016.
Both Kirkus Reviews[10] and School Library Journal[11] lauded Bildner's characters in Rookie of the Year.
| Year | Accolade | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Junior Library Guild | Selection | [2] |
| 2017 | Center for Children's Books Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 6–8 | Selection | [2] |
| 2018-2019 | Young Hoosier Book Award | Nominee | [12] |
Tournament of Champions (2017)
Tournament of Champions was published June 6, 2017. The book received a positive review from Kirkus[13] and is a Junior Library Guild selection.[3]
Most Valuable Players (2018)
Most Valuable Players was published May 29, 2018. The book is a Junior Library Guild selection.[4]
References
- ^ "A Whole New Ballgame: A Rip & Red Book by Phil Bildner". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Rookie of the Year: A Rip & Red Book by Phil Bildner". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Tournament of Champions: A Rip & Red Book by Phil Bildner". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Most Valuable Players: A Rip & Red Book by Phil Bildner". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "A Whole New Ball Game". Kirkus Reviews. May 18, 2015. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Lissim, Susan (2015-03-01). "A Whole New Ballgame". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Children's Book Review: Whole New Ball Game by Sue Macy, Author Henry Holt & Company $14.95 (144p) ISBN 978-0-8050-1942-1". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "A Whole New Ballgame – Children's Book Council". Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "A Whole New Ballgame". Phil Bildner. 2015-05-20. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Rookie of the Year". Kirkus Reviews. 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Lissim, Susan. "Rookie of the Year". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Rookie of the Year". Phil Bildner. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Tournament of Champions". Kirkus Reviews. 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.