Teams & Gangs

Anyone who has played a team sport knows the rush that comes from feeling like an integral piece of a well-oiled machine. Yet exhilaration and cooperation are only one aspect of team dynamics. This collection explores all facets of the team relationship, both positive and negative.

Whale Talk

by Chris Crutcher

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Teamwork

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Education, Education, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction

Whale Talk, a young adult novel by Chris Crutcher, is the story of events in the senior year of The Dao (T.J.) Jones, the adopted, multiracial son of white parents who live in the small town of Cutter, Washington. Narrated from a first-person perspective, the novel explores the impact of family, athletics, violence, and bullying on the lives of modern teens.The inciting incident of the novel occurs when T.J., a skilled swimmer who refuses to... Read Whale Talk Summary

Whisper Network

by Chandler Baker

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Teamwork, Social Class, Gender Identity, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Masculinity, Femininity

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Business & Economics, Bullying, Trauma & Abuse, Horror & Suspense, Modern Classic Fiction

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Wings of Starlight

by Allison Saft

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Guilt, Hope, Joy, Love, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Friendship, Teamwork, Community, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tale & Folklore

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Winter

by Marissa Meyer

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hope, Teamwork, Politics & Government, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Action & Adventure

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Winterdance

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Animals, Teamwork, Beauty

Tags Science & Nature, Sports, Travel Literature, Biography, Action & Adventure, Animals

First published in 1994, Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod is a nonfiction young adult book by Gary Paulsen, who has won several awards for his outdoor adventure stories. The first-person narrative recounts Paulsen’s life as a novice dog-sled runner who takes on the challenge of Alaska’s iconic Iditarod race. The special cross-species relationship between Paulsen and his canine companions steers him through the perils of Alaska’s harsh terrain as he overcomes his... Read Winterdance Summary

Wooden

by John Wooden, Steve Jamison

Publication year 1997

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Teamwork, Wins & Losses, Perseverance

Tags Sports, Leadership, Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Psychology, Psychology, Biography

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Woven by Gold

by Elizabeth Helen

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Guilt, Love, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Animals, Environment, Plants, Family, Teamwork, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Romance

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Year One

by Nora Roberts

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Grief, Mental Health, Future, Family, Teamwork, Politics & Government, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

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