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John Coy

Biography

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John Coy is an award-winning author, who worked as a dishwasher, mattress maker, tour guide, and group home worker before taking up writing. He's active in sports and is a member of the NBA Reading All-Star Team as part of the Read to Achieve program. John has traveled to all fifty states as well as to many countries internationally.

His work includes Strong to the Hoop, an American Library Association Notable Book, Night Driving, a Marion Vannett Ridgway Memorial Award winner and a Horn Book Fanfare title, Two Old Potatoes and Me, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, a Nickelodeon Jr.'s Best Book of the Year, and a featured book on PBS Reading Rainbow, Vroomaloom Zoom, a book of excellence on the Children¹s Literature Choice List, and Around the World, a Junior Library Guild selection.

John's first young adult novel, Crackback, explores the high stakes world of high school football as a young player finds himself confronted with a difficult choice. John's experience as a defensive back on his high school football team brings an authentic voice to which readers will be able to relate. "I loved playing football," says John. "It was the one place where smashing into people was not only okay, it was rewarded."

Crackback received wide praise and numerous honors, but John's favorite was being selected by students for the 2007 Young Adults' Choices List of the International Reading Association.

John's newest young adult novel, Box Out, is set in the world of high school basketball. Liam Bergstrom faces the difficult decision of standing up to his coach. He's hesitant to risk his varsity status, but he feels the strong pull of standing up for himself.

John Coy writes and plays basketball in Minnesota and wherever else he can join a game.  For more information about John, please visit www.johncoy.com

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  The Scholastic Store

  Box Out by John Coy Liam has just been bumped up to starter on the varsity basketball team, and the pressure's on. With the girls' team heading to State, the boys' team is under even greater scrutiny than usual in Liam's small midwestern town. When the team's coach starts counting on the power of prayer -- and enforcing teamwide participation -- Liam finds himself in a spotlight that's more nerve-racking than any trip to the free-throw line. In trying to stand up for what's right, Liam is forced to stand up for himself -- against his teammates, his fellow students, and even his parents. $16.99 books;hardcover books;hardcovers | Ages 12 and Up

  
  Box Out
  Ages 12 and Up $16.99
  
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  The Teacher Store

  Crackback by John Coy In his gripping debut novel, acclaimed picture book author John Coy presents the high stakes world of high school football, where doing what it takes to win doesn't always mean doing the right thing. This gripping look into the world of high school boys and athletes--and their struggle to be the best--is provocative and searingly honest. "... [Coy] writes a moving, nuanced portrait of a teen struggling with adults who demand, but don't always deserve, respect," Booklist Starred Review. $16.99 Hardcover Book | Grades 6-8

  
  Crackback
  Grades 6-8 $16.99