Jody just can't bring himself to throw hard, so the ball usually falls short of its mark. Taunts of "catcher's got a glass arm" echo in his ears. Then injury is added to insult when he's beaned by a wild pitch—and suddenly he's having trouble hitting as well as throwing. What good is a ball player who's afraid of the ball?

Drew Brees grew up in a family of athletes, and overcame injuries and setbacks to become one of today's best quarterbacks. This comprehensive biography--complete with photos and fun infographics--shows how Drew Brees went from being a flag football player to a Super Bowl MVP and a modern legend, and is sure to appeal to legions of football fans.

As the son of Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, a former NBA player and star of various European teams, Kobe spent his childhood watching professional basketball. From the moment he could pick up a ball, he was learning to dribble and shoot. His basketball education was unique -- a combination of lessons on basic fundamentals, one-on-one games against his dad, and observation and analysis of the world's best players.

At age eighteen, Kobe was given the chance to prove his skills when he was drafted into the NBA. Fresh out of high school, Kobe showed that he had the talent and heart to make it in the pros -- and the rest is history.

This biography gives readers a courtside seat to the achievements of one of basketball's greatest legends as it traces Kobe's life from childhood to his five NBA championships to his successful career outside of the game to his tragic death and lasting legacy.

Tim Daniels is back at Camp Wikasaukee with rest of the gang from Nothin' But Net, serving as a mentor to three young rookies, and he's got his hands full He's still working on keeping his height from getting in the way of his game--he's shorter than most of the guys. Plus, he's got a bully on his hands, and he's got to find a way to inspire his campers. Good thing NCAA pro Dick Dunbar is there to help Tim with a super-cool shot that gives him the confidence to make his mark at camp.
Packed with on the court action and useful lessons about the game, this is story that gets to the heart of what team sports are all about--and because it comes from Matt Christopher, young readers know they're getting the best sports writing on the shelf.

Rob Lasher may just be an average soccer player, but there's nothing he loves more than working together with his teammates. Sure, his soccer skills aren't anything special, but that's all right with him--Rob has never minded flying under the radar. But when he saves his coach's life during one fateful afternoon practice, Rob finds himself suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Now lauded as a hero and heralded as the savior of his team, Rob wants nothing more than for things to go back to normal. Because not everyone on the team is happy about Rob's newfound fame... This classic story from beloved author Matt Christopher is sure to win over any young sports fan, all while teaching them what it means to be a good teammate, and what it means to be a true hero.

Over one million copies sold! Sylvester loves baseball, but he isn't exactly what you'd call a good hitter. Even though he wants nothing more than to join his neighborhood team, the Hooper Redbirds, he's sure he'll never do anything more than warm the bench. But then he meets the mysterious Mr. Baruth who promises to make Sylvester one of the best players ever. Suddenly Sylvester goes from the worst player on the team to the kid who can only hit homers. With his overnight success, however, come tough questions. Will Sylvester ever learn the true meaning of teamwork? And what will happen when he has to learn to stand on his own? This beloved story about baseball, confidence, perseverance and being a good teammate is a modern classic for any young sports fan.

Renny and Bryce play on opposite soccer teams battling for the championship. Until recently the soft-spoken but talented Renny warmed the bench while another player took the field. But now that player's out with an injury and Renny's been given the chance to show what he can do. And no one is more surprised at Renny's playing ability than his opponent, the hot-dogging, one-man team, Bryce. Bryce was sure Renny would be pushover, but Renny, who had admired Bryce's showmanship, proves that solid teamwork is often hard to beat. And in the end, both boys come off the field a little wiser.

Last season, Julian Pryce was the star center on his championship basketball team. But this year, he's the only starter to return to the team. Julian knows everyone will look to him to lead the team, but he doesn't want the responsibility. How can he replicate last year's miracle run?

Hockey has been a part of Mario Lemieux's life since his childhood. At the age of six he was holding his own against boys four years older; by the time he was sixteen, he had captured the attention of the National Hockey League. Three years later, he signed on with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His spectacular ability to read the ice, score goals, and assist others to score turned the worst team in the league into champions. Along the way, he was faced with much adversity: separation from his home and family in Canada, the death of a beloved coach, and chronic back pain. Yet through it all he persevered, proving over and over again that he deserved the nicknames given to him by fans: Super Mario, Mario the Magnificent, and Mario the Miracle Man. His most recent achievement includes being the captain of the gold medal winning Canadian olympic team.

The Summer Olympics are chock full of epic athletic achievements across hundreds of disciplines, especially Track and Field, Gymnastics, and Swimming. These are the sports that gave us Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, Wilma Rudolph and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olga Korbut and Mary Lou Retton -- tremendous athletes whose Olympic accomplishments thrill us now just as much as they did when they occurred. Now readers can relive those moments in this fact-filled volume just right for young sports enthusiasts.
And because it's Matt Christopher, young readers know they're getting the best sports writing on the shelf

Outstanding. Unbelievable. Mindblowing. A three-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA team selection, two-time All-Defensive member, and the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, Howard has been ranked consistently as one of the best in the league in field goal percentage and rebounds, and has set numerous league records. He has led the Orlando Magic to two division titles and one conference title, and he was the winner of the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Ask most Olympians how their story begins and they will answer, 'When I was young, I always dreamed of going to the Olympics...' Some will then go on to tell of their great athletic triumphs. Others will recall agonizing near-misses. But for most, the very fact that they reached the Games at all was a dream come true. For the Olympic Games offer athletes something few others sporting events can: the chance to be recognized as the best in the world at a chosen sport. With stories of great triumphs (such as Nadia Comaneci's great feat of scoring seven perfect scores in gymnastics) and losses (such as when U.S. diver Greg Louganis hit his head on the Olympic diving board), the Olympics not only embody the competitive human spirit, but also is stage for foreign relations and politics. Historical references, such as when countries were banned during times of war, combined with amazing sports stories give this book both an educational and exciting appeal.

When Stookie Norris asks Jerry Dinh to take care of his gerbils while he's away on vacation, Jerry is thrilled. He's wanted to become better friends with Stookie ever since his family moved next to Stookie's house. But then something terrible happens that ruins all of Jerry's hopes. Will Stookie ever forgive him?

Lou Barnes has a little trouble remembering to watch his position on the soccer field. So sometimes he gets called offside-and during a game, that can cost the team a chance at a goal. Then one game, Lou gets a reminder of the offside rule from a very unlikely source: a dog! But where did the dog come from, and who taught him how to play soccer?

Will Tina's shyness ruin her chances to play keeper?

Tina Esparza loves everything about soccer, especially the fact that it's a team sport in which no one player stands out. That's important to Tina, who is painfully shy and hates getting attention. So when she joins her new soccer team, she's looking forward to becoming just another player on the field. Imagine her horror when the coach asks her to train as the team's goalkeeper! It's the one position that stands out on a soccer team—even the uniform is different! Will Tina be able to overcome her shyness and accept a position that puts her in the spotlight?

Although he's better known for his wisecracks than his goal keeping abilities, Jason Shearer is taking the place of the Soccer 'Cats' goalie, who's going on vacation. Will Jason learn what he needs to know before the game against the always-tough Panthers? Illustrations.

When Ichiro was three years old, his father introduced him to baseball. For seventeen years, Ichiro played the sport he loved in his home country of Japan. He became not only that country's greatest baseball player, but its biggest celebrity of all times. Then, in 2000, he left Japan to join the Seattle Mariners. Would Ichiro be able to succeed in the world's most challenging baseball league? Critics said no, that the Japanese player was too short, too skinny, too weak to make it in the majors. It was up to Ichiro to prove them wrong. He did so time and again, leading his team to its best season ever in his rookie year and collecting several awards along the way. Fans on both sides of the Pacific Ocean are looking forward to his performance in the 2002-2003 season.

Amanda Caler comes to realize she's afraid of the soccer ball, and as if that weren't enough, it looks as if someone is trying to steal her spot at halfback. Illustrations.

Theo Gordimer is a classic thirteen-year-old coach potato: he prefers video games and TV shows to playing sports. Then his favorite aunt is diagnosed with cancer. Theo wants to do something to help her, but what? Then his friend Paul tells him about an upcoming five-kilometer road race to raise money for cancer research. Theo is panicked: running the race seems like the perfect way to help out his aunt, but 5K is more than three miles! Theo can barely run a quarter of a mile without having to stop. How will he be able to do it?

Matt Christopher is the name young readers turn to when they're looking for fast-paced, action-packed sports stories.

Twelve-year-old Traci Winchell is a gifted gymnast, but lately she's been having trouble-so much trouble that her coach warns her she may need to drop out or else risk serious injury. Traci is heartbroken. Without gymnastics, what sport is there for her to do? Then she meets a diving coach who says Traci might be able to make a move to diving. The coach willing to train her, but Traci will have to work hard. Traci wants to find something to fill the void left by gymnastics, but is diving for her? And more important, is this coach someone she could work with?

The 25th title in this top-selling sports series reviews the lives of two of the best tennis stars in the country.

Venus and Serena Williams have captured the attention of the tennis crowd like no pair has in recent years. Taken alone, each is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Booming serves clocked at speeds equal and surpassing that of many male tennis players. Powerful return shots that take opponents by surprise. Speed and agility unlike any other player. Each has the skills, the determination, and the strength to make it to the very top of their sport. Yet through all the competition—even at times when they face each other on opposite sides of the net—they remain true to each other, steadfast in their sisterly love.

Can Chris prove that size and race don't matter?

Eleven-year-old Chris is small for his age, so he can't believe it when he learns he's been selected for the exclusive all-star traveling hockey team. It's not all fun and games playing for the Arctic Wolves, however. Some of the kids on the opposition are much bigger and rougher, and they pick on Chris because of his size. But Chris isn't the only one getting razzed. His teammate, Derek, is an aggressive player who also happens to be the only African American in the league. Chris and Derek develop some powerful on-ice chemistry that makes them a winning combination. But will that be enough for them to prove that size and race don't matter?

The 22nd title in this top-selling sports series reviews the life of a champion NASCAR driver

Jeff Gordon entered his first car race when he was only five years old, an age when most children are learning to ride a bike. From that time onward, he's been a champion in his chosen sport. From the quarter midget cars of his childhood, he moved on to go-carts, then sprint cars, and finally midget cars. Then, in 1991, he got his first taste of stock-car racing — and never looked back. After a few years of getting his feet wet in the Busch Grand National scene, he vaulted into the Winston Cup ring. In 1995, he was the youngest driver of the modern era ever to win the coveted Winston Cup. Two years later he proved his abilities were no fluke when he won the title again.

Women's soccer has never been more popular. At the top of the sport's list of star players is Mia Hamm. Her speed, aggressive play, and ability to "read the field" sparked the University of North Carolina to win four NCAA championships and the United States national team to capture thewomen's World Cup in 1991 and 1999. Yet to the sports world in general, she was an unknown--until the fantastic final fame of the 1996 Olympics. Playing with a painful ankle injury, Hamm astounded a sellout crowd with her determination to win the gold. She is the hero of thousands of girls and has captured the attention of soccer fans world-wide. Readers will devour every detail of this insightful biography of the best women's soccer player in the world.

• 1987: Member of the U.S. National Team
• 1988: Member of the U.S. National Team
• 1989: Member of the U.S. National Team, Member of the NCAA Women's soccer championship team, ACC tournament MVP
• 1990: Member of the U.S. National Team, Member of the NCAA Women's soccer championship team, ACC player of the year
• 1991: Member of the women's World Cup championship team
• 1992: National Player of the Year, Member of the U.S. National Team, Set NCAA single-season scoring record, ACC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP
• 1993: National Player of the Year, Member of the U.S. National Team, ACC Player of the Year
• 1994: National Player of the Year, Member of the U.S. National Team
• 1995: MVP of the U.S. Cup, Led U.S. National Team in scoring
• 1996: Olympic Gold Medalist
• 1997: Selected one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People
• 1998: U.S. Women's National Team's all time scoring leader
• 1999: Member of the women's World Cup championship team

Forward Daren McCall is quick with an insult, quick to take offense, and quick to blame anyone but himself for his troubles. So when center Lou Bettman accuses him first of bad-mouthing him, then of vandalism, Daren turns the tables and insists that Lou is out to get him. The team splits into two camps, those who believe in Daren's innocence and those who take Lou's side. The fight heats up when Daren falls victim to an outrageous act. But did Lou retaliate, as Daren suspects, or is someone else trying to teach Daren a lesson?