Jake Maddox - Tennis Liar

Jake Maddox Books are published by Stone Arch Books
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstonepub.com

Copyright 2010 by Stone Arch Books

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maddox, Jake.
Tennis liar / by Jake Maddox; text by Chris Kreie;
illustrated by Sean Tiffany.
p. cm. (Impact books. A Jake Maddox sports story)
ISBN 978-1-4342-1597-0 (library binding)
ISBN 978-1-4342-8882-0 (ebook)
[1. TennisFiction.] I. Kreie, Chris. II. Tiffany, Sean, ill. III. Title.
PZ7.M25643Tdp 2010
[Fic]dc22
2009004096

Summary:
When his friend Max asks him to join a tennis league, Henry cant say no. Its expensive, so Maxs dad pays Henrys way. Henry cant tell his dad, or hell have to give up tennis for good. Is being able to play the game he loves worth hiding the truth?

Creative Director: Heather Kindseth
Graphic Designer: Carla Zetina-Yglesias

CHAPTER 1

Henry looked across the net and waited for the serve. His opponent struck the ball.

Quickly, Henry moved to his right and swung his racquet back. He stepped toward the ball and ripped a wicked shot across the net. The ball soared deep into the corner.

His opponent reached his racquet for the ball, but he couldnt get it. Henry had scored another point.

Henry had already won the first set of the match. In the second set, he was ahead five games to two. The first player to win two sets would win the match. If Henry could win this set, hed be the match winner. He knew he could do it.

Henry loved tennis. Even though this was his first summer playing, he thought it was way more fun than any other sport he had ever played.

Max, Henrys best friend, had convinced him to play. Now tennis was taking over Henrys life. He played for hours nearly every day.

Thanks to all the practice, Henry had gotten really good. Now he was playing for the third-place trophy in the final city tournament of the summer.

Get him, Henry, yelled Max from behind the fence. Finish him off!

Henry heard Maxs voice, but he didnt turn to look at his friend. Instead, he stayed focused on the match.

His opponent launched another serve. The ball again came toward Henrys right-hand side, his forehand side. Henrys forehand was his strongest side. Hitting from his left side, his backhand side, was a lot harder. Henry knew his backhand needed more practice.

Henry cocked his racquet behind his body. Then he took a big swing. The ball flew over the net, and his opponent hit a soft shot back. The ball landed short on Henrys side of the court, so he ran up to hit it. After striking the ball, he moved toward the net.

The other player barely got to the ball. He sent a floater toward Henry at the net. Henry waited for the ball to come down. At just the right moment, he swung his racquet over his head. Finally, he smashed the ball hard into his opponents court.

The other player didnt stand a chance. The ball landed, bounced, and crashed loudly into the back fence.

Henry had won! He had won the match and the third-place trophy.

CHAPTER 2

After the tournament, Henry and Max rode their bikes home. Both boys had their tennis bags slung over their backs.

You played so great today, said Max. Your first summer of tennis, and you took third place. Thats amazing!

It was pretty awesome, said Henry.

So are you going to play in the fall indoor league with me? asked Max.

I dont know, said Henry. Id like to, but...

But what? Max asked. You have to play. Its the Oak Point Breakers. Were the best team in the city.

I know. Id love to play, Henry said.

So whats the problem? asked Max.

I dont know, said Henry. How much does the league cost, anyway?

I think its seven hundred dollars, said Max.

Seven hundred dollars?! said Henry. Then theres your answer. No way is my dad going to pay seven hundred bucks for me to play tennis.

I bet my dad would pay for your fees, said Max.

Why would he do that? asked Henry.

Why not? asked Max. Hes got the money. Besides, hes the team coach and a big shot at the tennis club.

My dad would never go for that, said Henry. Seven hundred dollars is too much. He wouldnt want to spend that much money on tennis.

Then dont tell him, said Max. Dont tell him my dad is paying.

I cant lie to my dad, Henry said quietly.

It wouldnt be a lie, said Max. You just wouldnt be telling him the whole truth.

Thats not much of a difference, said Henry.

They reached the dirt road that led to Henrys house. Henry slowed down.

Well, its up to you, said Max. All I know is that you need to play. And you shouldnt let your dad stop you.

Easy for you to say, said Henry.

Ill talk to you later, said Max, pedaling ahead. Just remember, we need you on our team, man. We need you.

Ill think about it, Henry called after him. He turned and pedaled toward his house.

CHAPTER 3

Henry dropped his bike on the grass next to his house and burst through the back door. His parents were sitting at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper.

Hey, Mom and Dad, said Henry. Look! He held up the trophy he had won at the tournament.

Third place? Mom said. Thats really terrific, honey. She stood up and gave Henry a hug.

Want to see, Dad? asked Henry.

Of course, said his father. Maxs dad had his face buried in the newspaper.

Henry walked over to him. Its third place, he said. Not as good as first or second, but since this was my first season, Im really happy.

Henrys dad barely looked away from his paper for two seconds. Good job, son, he said.

Henry frowned and looked at his mom. She gave him a little smile. You did great, honey, Mom said.

So, Henry, said his dad. Im reading about the Bears training camp. That new quarterback seems to be pretty talented. I cant wait for football season to start. How about you?

Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that, Henry said.

Dad looked up. Yeah? he asked. What is it?

I dont want to play football this season, Henry said.

Henrys dad put his paper down. What? Why? he asked.

I want to play tennis, in an indoor league with Max, Henry explained.

You want to quit the team? Dad asked.

I want to play tennis, Dad, said Henry.

Honey, youve seen this coming for a long time, Mom told Dad. Henry has never loved football like you do.

Henrys father let out a big sigh. He folded up his newspaper.

Yeah, I know, he said. Then he turned to Henry and said, You really love it, dont you?

Yeah, I do, said Henry.