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.
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.
Overview
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." 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." Publishers Weekly and the Children’s Book Council also proffered positive reviews. +Accolades for A Whole New BallgameYearAccoladeResultRef.N/AJunior Library GuildSelection2015Cybils Awards for Middle Grade FictionNominee2016Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 3–5Selection2016-2017Maine Student Book Award Nominee2017Rhode Island Children's Book Award2017-2018Virginia Readers Choice (Elementary)Sunshine State Young Readers Award2018Nutmeg Book Award Intermediate2018-2019Oregon Battle of the Books
Rookie of the Year (2016) Rookie of the Year was published July 12, 2016.
Both Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal lauded Bildner's characters in Rookie of the Year. +Accolades for Rookie of the YearYearAccoladeResultRef.N/AJunior Library GuildSelection2017Center for Children's Books Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 6–8Selection2018-2019Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
Tournament of Champions (2017) Tournament of Champions was published June 6, 2017. The book received a positive review from Kirkus and is a Junior Library Guild selection.
Most Valuable Players (2018) Most Valuable Players was published May 29, 2018. The book is a Junior Library Guild selection.
References