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.

Publication year 1961

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Teams, Society: Nation, Life/Time: Coming of Age

Tags Race / Racism, Love / Sexuality, Play: Drama

When West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957, it was a new kind of musical. At the time, the phrase “Broadway musical” was synonymous with “musical comedy.” Musical theatre typically took a lighthearted approach, even when broaching serious issues. But West Side Story, perhaps one of the most famous adaptations of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, exposed audiences to gang violence on the streets of New York. If Shakespeare’s lovers are star-crossed and ill-fated... Read West Side Story Summary


Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Teams

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


Publication year 2004

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Education, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Equality

Tags Education, Education, Sociology, Psychology, Psychology, Self Help


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Femininity

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


Publication year 2008

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Science / Nature, History: U.S.


Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: 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


Publication year 1997

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Sports, Leadership/Organization/Management, Self Help, Business / Economics, Psychology, Psychology, Biography


Publication year 2005

Genre Reference/Text Book, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Teams, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Literature

Tags Fantasy