Matt Christopher Sports Bio Bookshelf
63 total works
Tina Esparza loves everything about soccer, but especially the fact that it is a team sport where no one player is in the spotlight. Imagine her surprise when the coach asks her to train as goalkeeper. Will Tina be able to overcome her shyness and accept the position that makes her stand out?
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 travelling 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 picked on. 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 doesn't matter?
12-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 wants to find something to fill the void left by gymnastics, but is diving for her?
Alex Rodriguez is the one of the most electrifying baseball players to hit the diamond in recent years. Drafted right out of high school, he suffered few of the adjustment problems that typically plague young players. Instead, he has shown the world what it means to be a superstar, not just on the field but in life. His outstanding play with the Seattle Mariners helped send that team to post-season playoff games year after year. Yet A-Rod never lets success and fame go to his head. Alex Rodriguez's commitment to the game and sportsmanship has made him respected and admired by fellow players and fans the world over. This new biography traces Alex's career from the Seattle Mariners to his new home with the Texas Rangers.
Theo Gordimer is a couch potato who prefers playing video games to playing sports. Then his world is rocked when his favourite aunt is diagnosed with cancer. Theo wants to do something - anything - other than visit the hospital and bring flowers. But what? Then a friend tells him about a 5km road race to benefit cancer research. Though he's nervous about the challenge Theo decides it's time to get off his couch. And so he begins a training program that opens a new door for him - and helps his aunt as well.
Eleven-year-old Garry, embarrassed when his unathletic brother joins his lacrosse team, faces a bigger problem when the team bully turns on both of them.
Ken Griffey Jr., son of former pro ballplayer Ken Griffey Sr., has baseball in his blood. From his early years hanging out at Yankee Stadium with his father through his high school days as a baseball star, Ken Jr. was destined to bring greatness to whatever team he played for. He fulfilled his destiny by helping shape his former team, the Seattle Mariners, into division champs. In 2000, Griffey took his legendary skills and famous smile to the Cincinnati Reds to try to win a World Series with his hometown team.
Yao Ming is one of the biggest stars in basketball today-literally. At seven feet, six-inches, Yao's impressive performance for the NBA's Houston Rockets earned him the Rookie of the Year Award in 2002-2003, and put him on the covers of Sports Illustrated and other magazines, as well as in television commercials for brands such as Visa and Gatorade. His gentle nature off the court doesn't impede his domination on the court, and his sensational seasons have brought a new surge of interest to the NBA. Watch for him in the Summer '04 Olympics!
Even before Tiger Woods stunned the world with his amazing victory at Augusta, he was impressing the golfing community with his perfect swing and pleasing crowds with his mile-wide smile and enthusiasm for the game. In this book, readers learn the details of Tiger's life and career. Photos.
Disappointed at first by not being large enough to make quarterback, Boots discovers that there is as much challenge in playing tackle.