My Life as a Secret Ping-Pong Wizard

By Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Hank Zipzer is a fifth grader with some learning challenges. Math and spelling are not his strong suit! But it is a new school year and his friends Ashley and Frankie sign up for soccer, so Hank does, too. But Hank finds he has some learning challenges with soccer, too, and that, combined with a coach who is very hard on the team, makes Hank want to drop out. Then his grandfather, Papa Pete, takes Hank to his ping-pong club. Hank doesn't think he'll be able to play ping-pong either, but with some practice, he really begins to get good at it and likes playing. The problem is, Hank is afraid his friends and family will make fun of him for not playing a "real" sport, so he hides his new talent. He definitely won't participate in the Parade of Athletes at school. But when a friend really needs him, will Hank keep on hiding his talent? If you like books that are funny and also make you feel good, read a Hank Zipzer book! You'll want to read all the Hank Zipzer books. Check out the Hank Zipzer website for more information.