Books like 'The Final Four'
Readers who enjoyed The Final Four by Paul Volponi also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary realistic sports high-school friendship male-mc
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Heart of a Champion by Carl Deuker
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsJimmy Winter is a born star on the baseball field, and Seth Barnam can only dream of being as talented. Still, the two baseball fanatics have the kind of friendship that should last forever. But when Seth experiences an unthinkable loss, he's forced to find his own personal strength--on and off the field...Categorized as:
friendship high-school realistic sports 20th-century action-adventure book children-books -
![The Underdogs by Mike Lupica]()
The Underdogs by Mike Lupica
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsNew York Times bestseller Mike Lupica tackles football! Will Tyler may not be the biggest running back around, but no one can touch him when it comes to hitting the hole and finding the end zone. And no one can match his love of the game. When Will has a football in his hand, life can't touch him--his dad isn't so defeated, his town isn't so poor, and everyone has something to cheer for... -
![The Boy Who Steals Hearts by Emily Lowry]()
The Boy Who Steals Hearts by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEvery girl at Hallisburg Prep has a crush on Arie Jensen.But no one has a bigger crush than me.I’ve been hopelessly head-over-heels for the star basketball player since freshman year.Too bad he barely even notices I exist.Until a midnight run-in reveals his biggest secret… and I’m the only one who knows.Suddenly, the school’s biggest flirt is showing up at my window after curfew...Categorized as:
realistic friendship high-school sports young-adult contemporary fake-relationship religion -
![Reach for Tomorrow by Lurlene McDaniel]()
Reach for Tomorrow by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsKatie O'Roark is thrilled to learn that Jenny House is being rebuilt. After the fire last year, Katie thought she could never return to the camp, where she spent the summers with teens like her who faced medical odds stacked against them. But thanks to Richard Holloway's efforts, Katie and her longtime friends Lacey and Chelsea will work as counselors once again... -
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![The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe]()
The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLeft quad. Right quad. Lunge. A girls indoor soccer team warms up. From the safety of their suburban stretch circle, the team navigates big questions and wages tiny battles with all the vim and vigor of a pack of adolescent warriors. A portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls who just want to score some goals... -
![Caitlin's Lucky Charm by Lisa Schroeder]()
Caitlin's Lucky Charm by Lisa Schroeder
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFour best friends, one lucky bracelet, and an utterly charming new middle-grade series!Caitlin would stay at summer camp forever if she could. Her new best friends in the world, Hannah, Mia, and Libby are there... -
![Sweetheart by Cookie O'Gorman]()
Sweetheart by Cookie O'Gorman
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSweetheart (suh-weet-hart): Someone who is kind, friendly, and/or lovable. For reference, see Scarlett Kent.Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Kent likes the idea of love—in theory. She’s just never had time for romance... -
![Carter's Unfocused, One-Track Mind by Brent Crawford]()
Carter's Unfocused, One-Track Mind by Brent Crawford
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter an eventful freshman year and disastrous summer, fifteen-year-old Will Carter returns to Merrian High none the wiser. His sophomore year will present a host of new problems: the return of Scary Terry from juvie, the pregnant presence of Amber Lee, friends-with-benefits negotiations with Abby, prom night expectations, and the ever-constant harassment from his boys... -
![It Could Only Be Tyler by Emily Lowry]()
It Could Only Be Tyler by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAsk your best friend’s brother nicely, and he might agree to be your fake boyfriend. He might even become something more…Nina Martinez is the band geek of Beachbreak High. The only thing louder than her trumpet is her mom’s insistence that she find Nina a boyfriend. Nina wants no part of it, but the only way out is to get a boyfriend on her own... -
![How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You by Tara Eglington]()
How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You by Tara Eglington
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe course of true love never did run smooth. For a girl who shares her name with a princess (a.k.a Aurora from Sleeping Beauty) Aurora Skye’s life seem fathoms away from a fairytale. Sure, she’s landed Hayden Paris, Potential Prince extraordinaire. And she got her wish -- one first kiss with all the knee-trembling, butterfly-inducing gloriousness she’d hoped for... -
![You Don't Even Know by Sue Lawson]()
You Don't Even Know by Sue Lawson
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAlex Hudson is a good guy. He plays water polo. He has a part-time job. He’s doing okay at school.Then the thing that anchors Alex is ripped away and his life seems pointless... -
![The Kicker and the New Girl by Anne-Marie Meyer, Maggie Dallen]()
The Kicker and the New Girl by Anne-Marie Meyer, Maggie Dallen
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe's just trying to survive. He never thought she would be the one who would understand. CoraWe're starting over. Mom and Dad think the best way for me to move on from the death of Ben is to move to Oakwood. There, we can spend time with Mom's late best friend's family and open a new bakery. And I'm okay with that...Categorized as:
sports high-school realistic romance young-adult fake-relationship audiobook fiction -
![I Do by Elizabeth Chandler]()
I Do by Elizabeth Chandler
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWeddings are the perfect place to fall in love... Jane is not looking forward to being the maid of honor in her cousin Stacy's wedding. To make matters worse, Adam, the biggest jerk at Tilson High, is going to be the best man! The last thing Jane wants to do is walk down the aisle with him. But the more Jane gets to know Adam, the more she realizes that he's actually a very cool guy... -
![Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott]()
Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSam has the rules of slackerhood down: Don't be late to class. Don't ever look the teacher in the eye. Develop your blank stare. Since his mom left, he has become an expert in the art of slacking, especially since no one at his new school gets his intense passion for the music of the Pacific Northwest—Nirvana, Hole, Sleater-Kinney...Categorized as:
realistic high-school friendship male-mc young-adult contemporary coming-of-age poc-mc -
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![One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller]()
One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGrace Woodhouse has left a lot behind. She used to have a great friend group, an amazing girlfriend, and a right foot set to earn her a Division I football scholarship—before she came out as trans. As senior year begins, Grace is struggling to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football... -
![Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez]()
Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsJason Carrillo, the best-looking athlete in school, has had his eyes on the prize from day one: a scholarship for college. But then his eyes turn to love -- and Kyle. Kyle Meeks, swim team star and all-around good guy, is finally in the relationship he wanted. Being in love feels so good, in fact, that he can't imagine giving it up to go to Princeton... -
![True Letters from a Fictional Life by Kenneth Logan]()
True Letters from a Fictional Life by Kenneth Logan
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsIf you asked anyone in his small Vermont town, they'd tell you the facts: James Liddell, star athlete, decent student and sort-of boyfriend to cute, peppy Theresa, is a happy, funny, carefree guy.But whenever James sits down at his desk to write, he tells a different story... -
![Stotan! by Chris Crutcher]()
Stotan! by Chris Crutcher
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsStotan: A cross between a Stoic and a SpartanIt's the last swimming season for Walker, Nortie, Lion, and Jeff, and their coach is building their self-discipline in a grueling four-hour-a-day test of stamina designed to bring them to the outer edge of their capabilities... -
![Sealed with a Kiss by Sarra Manning]()
Sealed with a Kiss by Sarra Manning
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWill a lengthy road trip test Edie and Dylan's hard-won couplehood to the breaking point?Edie and Dylan have been dreaming about their road trip across America forever, but nine weeks in a car together is going to be a huge test for them...Categorized as:
friendship high-school realistic book contemporary fiction womens-fiction young-adult -
![All the Days of Her Life by Lurlene McDaniel]()
All the Days of Her Life by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOut of control - that's how Lacey Duval feels in almost every aspect of her life. There's nothing she can do about her parents divorce, there's nothing she can do about the death of her young friend, there's nothing she can do about having diabetes - that's what Lacey believes. After a special summer at Jenny House, Lacey is determined to put her problems behind her... -
![Boost by Kathy MacKel]()
Boost by Kathy MacKel
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThirteen-year-old Savvy is six two and full of raw basketball talent; her three-point shot is deadly. But she's also skinny and gets pushed around on the court. Her older sister, Callie, is a freshman on varsity cheerleading, but she's not quite light enough to be a flier - her coveted position. Both girls need to boost their level of competition to get off the bench and into the action... -
![Love Me, Love Me Not by S.M. Koz]()
Love Me, Love Me Not by S.M. Koz
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSeventeen-year-old Hailey Brown never wanted to be popular or rich or even successful. All she ever wanted was to feel loved by someone, anyone. Eighteen-year-old Brad Campbell doesn't know anything but popularity, wealth, and success thanks to his affluent family and unmatched talent on the football field... -
![Pulled Under by Michelle Dalton]()
Pulled Under by Michelle Dalton
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA shy teen befriends an attractive beach town tourist in this refreshing summertime romance, in the tradition of Sixteenth Summer and Seventeenth Summer . In the small town of Pearl Beach, Florida, Izzy Lucas needs only her surfboard and the water to be completely happy. She wants nothing to do with parties, popularity contests, or showing her face around the clichéd touristy hangouts... -
![Guys Do Not Do Secret Santa by Miranda Kenneally]()
Guys Do Not Do Secret Santa by Miranda Kenneally
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA Catching Jordan short story (9 months before Catching Jordan... -
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![Sophomores and Other Oxymorons by David Lubar]()
Sophomores and Other Oxymorons by David Lubar
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsScott Hudson has somehow managed to survive Freshman year. But with a new baby brother in the house and a whole host of adventures awaiting him at school, Sophomore year promises to be anything but boring... -
![The Wolves Are Waiting by Natasha Friend]()
The Wolves Are Waiting by Natasha Friend
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFrom award-winning author Natasha Friend comes a compelling investigation of sexual harassment and the toxic and complicit structures of a small college town.Before the night of the Frat Fair, 15-year-old Nora Melchionda's life could have been a Gen-Z John Hughes movie. She had a kind-of boyfriend, a spot on the field hockey team, good grades, and a circle of close friends...Categorized as:
realistic high-school friendship male-mc young-adult contemporary fiction mental-illness -
![What You Always Wanted by Kristin Rae]()
What You Always Wanted by Kristin Rae
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEnjoy What You Always Wanted and the other standalone titles in Bloomsbury's contemporary If Only romance line centered around an impossible you always want what you can't have !Maddie Brooks has always had high standards for guys. But she has yet to find one who can live up to the romantic, classic Hollywood heartthrobs, especially the dreamy song-and-dance man Gene Kelly... -
![Painting the Black by Carl Deuker]()
Painting the Black by Carl Deuker
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen a hard ball is coming at you fast, and when it's dancing, too, every single nerve in your body is alert and ready. Your eyes are wide open, and the adrenaline is pumping. It's not a feeling you want to give up, any more than you want to get off a roller coaster...Categorized as:
friendship high-school male-mc realistic sports action-adventure book children-books -
![Surviving High School by M. Doty]()
Surviving High School by M. Doty
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat's the secret to surviving your freshman year of high school? Emily Kessler thinks she has it all figured out. She eats, sleeps and trains for competitive swimming. All she has to do is keep her grades high and swim times short -- short enough to live up to her sister Sara's. But walking the crowded maze of unfamiliar high school hallways is like diving headfirst into shark-infested waters... -
![The Comeback by Marlene Perez]()
The Comeback by Marlene Perez
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA novel about ruling high school, being exiled, and fighting your way back to your rightful throne.Sophie Donnelly is one half of the most popular and powerful couple in school, until new girl Angie Vogel shows up and compromises everything. Angie steals Sophie's starring role in the school play, and, worse, her super-popular boyfriend...Categorized as:
friendship high-school realistic book coming-of-age contemporary fiction womens-fiction -
![Running to You by Julie L. Spencer]()
Running to You by Julie L. Spencer
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSammy didn’t expect Brandon to look twice. But Brandon didn’t count on Sammy running off with his heart. First love can be bittersweet in this touching teen romance. Sammy had her sights set on track state finals and never paid much attention to the college guys who came to help her mom run their bed-and-breakfast. But that was before Brandon... -
![The Stand-In Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin]()
The Stand-In Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSometimes the person you're meant to be with is standing right in front of you.Parker Reed has been in love with Beth Bennett since he was four years old. She grew up next door to him, holding his hand and now his heart. The problem is, Beth has no idea Parker is in love with her. He’s stuck in the friend zone, forced to stand by while Beth dates a parade of losers... -
![The Breakable Vow by Kathryn Ann Clarke]()
The Breakable Vow by Kathryn Ann Clarke
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOne night will change her life . . . Annie McGowan is eighteen years old, smart, wisecracking, fun-loving . . . a typical teenager. Yet circumstances force Annie out of the security of high school and into a world of problems all her own. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy and a turbulent, violent relationship with her boyfriend, Kevin, Annie's life begins to spiral out of control... -
![Freestyle with Avery by Bryant Annie]()
Freestyle with Avery by Bryant Annie
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGo West, young girl. Avery's off to see "the Snurfman" (aka her dad) in Colorado. She can't wait to show off her skills in the first annual Telluride Snurfer Snowboarding Competition. But the Snurfman's got a few surprises in store. And when Avery meets Kazie, the thirteen year-old all-star boarder and her evil cat, Farkle, she's not so sure these surprises are so snurf-tastic after all...Categorized as:
realistic sports friendship middle-grade children-books fiction contemporary children -
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![A Secret Edge by Robin Reardon]()
A Secret Edge by Robin Reardon
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI love the long distance run, when you feel like you're about to die...and then you reach this place where you feel like there are no boundaries for you anywhere...In many ways, Jason Peele is like any other teenager. He hits the books, hangs with his friends, flirts with girls, and omits the full truth of his life from his Aunt Audrey and Uncle Steve, who have raised him since his parents died... -
![Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica]()
Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratings#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica pays tribute to the underdog in his Comeback Kids series for young middle-grade readers Chris Conlan is the coolest kid in sixth grade–the golden-armed quarterback of the football team, and the boy all the others look up to. Scott Parry is the new kid, the boy with the huge brain, but with feet that trip over themselves daily... -
![Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles]()
Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAfter fathering a baby, a teenager moves in with his karate-loving uncle and tries to come to terms with his guilt — and find a way to forgive. This isn’t how Josh expected to spend senior year. He thought he’d be hanging out with his best friends, Dave and Caleb, driving around, partying, just like always... -
![Triple Shot Bettys in Love by Jody Gehrman]()
Triple Shot Bettys in Love by Jody Gehrman
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGeena is freaking out. She's been going out with Ben for five months, their relationship is comfortable and perfect, and then Bam! he's suddenly putting the pressure on to be way more physical. She's not sure she's ready. Enter Mr... -
![Secret Life by Bria Quinlan]()
Secret Life by Bria Quinlan
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsRachel Wells is a liar—big time. No one outside her family knows about the panic attacks or meds, the weekly therapy drive-bys or the “safe” outfit. If she could hide it all from her string of ex-boyfriends and her best friend Amy, then why should anything change? But, when the one guy as messed up as she is blackmails her into helping him, life goes from closely restrained to out of control... -
![Zoey Fools Around by Katherine Applegate]()
Zoey Fools Around by Katherine Applegate
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThey've all grown up together on a tiny island. They think they know everything about one another. . .but they're only just beginning to find out the truth,and it turns their world upside down. New couples are formed, friends become enemies, and secrets and unearthed. . . Katherine Applegate is the author of the hugely popular series as well as many other books for young readers...Categorized as:
friendship high-school realistic book contemporary female-author fiction young-adult -
![Call the Shots by Don Calame]()
Call the Shots by Don Calame
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAnd . . . action! As the uproarious trio returns, sensitive Sean takes the spotlight — scripting a low-low-budget film while fielding unexpected female fans. Coop is cooking up another sure-misfire scheme (big surprise), and this time the comedy plays out from Sean’s point of view... -
![A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy]()
A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratings“Will make your heart pound — anxiously, joyfully, triumphantly.” — New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle Readers will happily dive into this emotionally grounded, contemporary young adult novel about the sudden end of one girl’s Olympic swimming dreams and the struggles she endures before realizing there are many things that express who we are... -
![Swinging at Love by Kendra C. Highley]()
Swinging at Love by Kendra C. Highley
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsOutfielder Tristan Murrell has a problem. As the number two slugger for the Suttonville Sentinels, his team is counting on him to make their very first run at the state championship. But he has a secret—his swing has totally deserted him. As in, he can’t hit anything. He needs to fix the issue, and fast, but how? Ballerina Alyssa Kaplan has a problem, too... -
![Head Games by Keri Mikulski]()
Head Games by Keri Mikulski
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTaylor Thomas is a total all-star on the court. Off-court, not so much. She may be model-tall, gorgeous and quite a catch, but try telling her that. With a showcase game and playoffs fast approaching, Taylor’s basketball career is totally on the line... -
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![Just Our Luck by Julia Walton]()
Just Our Luck by Julia Walton
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFrom the author of Words on Bathroom Walls— now a major motion picture—comes a romance in the spirit of Dear Evan Hansen about overcoming anxiety—and about finding love and friendship in unlikely places.★ "A masterpiece" —Kirkus, starred review"Bad luck follows lies." That was the first rule for life that Leo's Greek grandmother, Yia Yia, gave him before she died... -
![Ice in My Veins by Kelli Sullivan]()
Ice in My Veins by Kelli Sullivan
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen a 16 year old, small town girl, Christine Matthews, from Dryden, Michigan gets a shot at playing semi- professional hockey on a boys hockey team she jumps at the opportunity.Follow her ups and downs as she tackles some of lives hardships, surprises, and victories as she reaches out to catch her dreams... -
![Game On by Michelle Smith]()
Game On by Michelle Smith
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAs king of baseball in the small town of Lewis Creek, Eric Perry can have any girl he wants and win every game he plays. But when a fight lands him in jail, he’s only got one more strike before his baseball career is over for good. His only chance for redemption? The girl next door, Bri Johnson... -
![Der längste Sommer by Bonnie Bryant]()
Der längste Sommer by Bonnie Bryant
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIntroducing the first young adult series about friendship. High school. Driver's licenses. Boyfriends. Jobs. A lot of new things are happening, but one thing remains the same: Stevie Lake, Lisa Atwood, and Carole Hanson are still best friends. Still some things do change... -
![Pwned by Shannen Crane Camp]()
Pwned by Shannen Crane Camp
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsReagan West has a perfect life. She’s at the top of the high school food chain as co-captain of the cheerleading squad and she’s best friends with the most evil girl in Albany, Tawny Perez, which means she’s never on the receiving end of her wrath... -
![The Deal Breakers by Maggie Dallen]()
The Deal Breakers by Maggie Dallen
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNo kissing. That’s the deal these best friends made when they were kids... It’s a rule just begging to be broken.Obviously the stupid dating app is wrong. Jessica and Rex have been best friends forever, of course they’re not a love match. As part of a class project, their mission is to prove the app wrong once and for all. All they have to do is date other people.Not a problem...Categorized as:
high-school friendship sports romance young-adult contemporary friends-to-lovers fiction
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