NIPS Go National stands alone as a hilarious look at life in a cricket team. It is also the sequel to the highly successful NIPS XI. The NIPS reunite with their coach, Spinner, on an invitational trip to Melbourne, to take part in the Harmony Cup. As the captain of the team, Lan experiences a number of problems that he needs to resolve. He loses one of their best batsmen and has to find a new player; argues with his best friend, Izram; has to make difficult on-the-ground decisions; and loses his best bowler, just before playing the Dead Reds in the Cup. Along the way he writes a Captain's Diary, encouraging his team members to write inspirational poetry, and motivates and guides the NIPS with his detailed Captain Notes.

While offering many funny moments, this book deals with complex issues, such as cultural diversity, friendship, the roles of players in teams, girls playing a traditional male game and sportsmanship. It is suited to early secondary readers and competent upper primary readers.

Ruth Starke worked in public relations and travel marketing before turning to fiction writing in 1992. She has since published eleven novels for young people, including the award-winning Nips XI and The Twist in the Tale in the After Dark series. She is co-editor of Solo Spots (drama monologues for senior students) and has written a history of the Adelaide Writer's Week. Ruth teaches English at Flinders University, Adelaide and creative writing at TAFE. She was recently awarded a PhD with first class honours. She is deputy chair of the SA Writers' Centre, writes and reviews for the Australian Book Review and Viewpoint, and has been a Judge of the National Festival Awards for Children's Literature since 1995.

Until she wrote Nips XI, Ruth had absolutely no interest in cricket. Now she has posters of Steve Waugh and the World Cup team on her study wall and is thinking of applying for membership of SACA.

Nips XI is featured in Reading Enriches Learning, Collection 1: Identity http://www.curriculum.edu.au/rel/identity/prim_nips.htm

Find out more about Ruth Starke on her website http://www.ruthstarke.itgo.com/.

• Lan's greatest sporting dream is to bat for Australia. What is your great sporting dream? (p 5-7)
• How did the NIPS get their nickname? (p 15)
• What does 'cultural diversity' mean? (p 17)
• How did Tomas Onya get his nickname? How did they pick up Australian expressions such as 'spinner'? (p 26)
• Who wrote Spinner the mysterious letter? Predict who sent it and why. (p 28)
• Does everyone celebrate Christmas? What traditions do different cultures celebrate? (p 32)
• Why are the boys worried about Spinner? Do lots of people celebrate Christmas alone? (p 33)
• What nicknames do the Australian cricketers have? Why do we use nicknames for people? How did you get your nickname? How do you feel about it? Why does Ruth Starke use nicknames in her book? (p 34)
• How did the NIPS resolve the problem of finding another cricketer? (p 50-60)
• Why were the phone calls depressing for Lan? (p 60)
• Why is Lan so pleased with his solution and the initiative he used? (p 64)
• What is Lan's philosophy towards cricket? Do you agree/disagree with it? (p 67)
• Why is Lan secretly relieved that Sam can't bowl as well as him? (p 78)
• Why is Lan scared about representing his 'whole nation'? Which nation is he referring to? (p 82)
• Why are Lan's Captain's Notes such a motivating tool for the team? (p116)
• Why did Lan feel embarrassed about getting so many wickets against the Tiwi Islands? Why is Lan a good sport for putting his worst bowler on? How did Izram feel about the decision? (p 120)
• Why is it a different job being a 'touring captain' for Lan? Would Steve Waugh or Ricky Ponting have similar problems? (p 131)
• What is upsetting Izram about Sam? (p 144-5)
• Who are the 'stolen children' that Jermaine talks about? (p 160)
• Why does Sam think Lan is a good motivator? (p 166)
• What discovery do the boys make about Sam? How would Izram and Lan feel? Was Sam dishonest to the boys? (p 183-6)
• What issues does Lan have to deal with before the championship match? Do you agree with his solutions? What alternatives could he have implemented? (p 197)
• Spinner said, 'Winning's not everything'. Do you agree/disagree with this saying? (p 218)
• How does Jermaine show good sportsmanship? (p 240)
• Is Sam an inspiration for girls? (p 247)
• Why was it a 'bombshell' for the team to find out about Sam? (p 250)