Topspin by Sonya Spreen Bates

Orca Sports series. Orca Book Publishers, 2013. ISBN 9781459803855
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Tennis, Sabotage, Competition. Kat has made it to the Junior Tennis championship at Melbourne Park. This is the chance she has always wanted but Miri, her Doubles partner, seems to be up to something, and it seems to involve the unwitting tennis player, Hamish - Miri's very likeable boyfriend. The tension between Kat and Miri is growing and affecting Kat's ability to perform on court in both her Singles game and her Doubles contests. Kat decides she needs to figure out what is behind Miri's growing secrecy and strange connection with the unpleasant character, Dray. Kat's sleuthing uncovers a plot that could damage Hamish's chance in the championship. Will this information put them all in danger, and will she be able to protect Hamish from Dray's sabotage?
This is an action book - action on the tennis court and in the uncovering of the plot to sabotage a tennis player's success. It is exciting and full of the language, strategy and interest of competitive tennis for Junior participants. It is also a mystery and adventure involving the young under 16 characters. This is the kind of book that young sports lovers will love, because of the past-paced and intriguing environment of competitive sport. The action off court is also exciting and slightly cautionary, with competitive tendencies sometimes making the participants quite unpleasant in their desire to win.
Recommended for readers who love sport, aged 12+.
Carolyn Hull