Game, Set and Match (Going for the Gold Series) »

Donna King is the alter ego of Jenny Oldfield, a best-selling author of children's series fiction, including the Horses of Half-Moon Ranch series. More than one million copies of her books have been sold around the world.

Ever since Cassie was old enough to hold a tennis racket, her dad has been training her to be the best. Now age twelve, she's a star player with fast reactions, long legs, and an excellent backhand. But something is wrong: she just doesn't feel the same way about tennis anymore. She keeps having to choose between her friends and tennis — between having fun or endless hours on the court. When Cassie is whisked away for a make-or-break month that will decide her future, she realizes she must make a decision. Does she have what it takes both on and off the court?

Children's Literature

The young tennis star forever pushed by her parents to be the best, the conflict between the time it takes to be the best and still have a life, the dirty tricks other young players use in their own striving to be the best—it is all here in a slim book perfect for young readers trying to find balance in their own lives. Carrie, a twelve-year-old girl in England, has tired of her parents' constant pressure, even though it has helped her become a top tennis player in her age group. She fakes an injury to avoid a tough final match in a major competition and then meets the nasty competitor who won the match at a tennis camp in Florida. Carrie survives a long string of jokes and tricks to come out on top again, but this time she has regained not only the winning title but also a renewed appreciation for her sport, her parents, and the other priorities in her life. The writing is not memorable, but there is a lot of action, plenty of dialogue, and an important message.