New Releases by Matt Christopher

Don''t miss this action-packed and informative look at the life and achievements of a basketball legend! Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for kids, profiles basketball superstar Michael Jordan, covering his childhood, college career, rookie years, professional career highlights, and even his short stint in minor league baseball. Written in Matt Christopher''s easy-to-read style and complete with incredible photos and Michael Jordan''s key stats, this comprehensive biography will entertain and educate.

When thirteen-year-old Tim Daniels gets a chance to go to basketball camp, he is faced with trying to be accepted by the popular players and remaining true to his friend who has become the butt of practical jokes.

Can Michael and Tom read each other''s minds? Michael and Tom Curtis are identical twins who share a love of football. Unfortunately, because of a tragic accident, Michael must watch from the sidelines as his brother calls the plays on the football field. During one game Michael concentrates very hard on a play he thinks could help the team, and Tom calls the exact play a split second later! Is it coincidence, or can the boys communicate through ESP? The boys try a daring experiment in which they push their telepathic powers to the limit ... and suddenly, impossibly, Michael is running the ball for a spectacular touchdown!

Parker Nolan likes to tell tall tales, so why should anyone believe him when he says he saw a mysterious figure stealing plays out of the coach''s playbook?

Matt Christopher delves into the life of Jeff Gordon, the racing sensation, and recreates his memorable moments with exciting turn-by-turn action. This fast-paced biography includes photos, Gordon''s stats, and a list of his NASCAR career highlights.

Freddie Chase is a good football player with one major flaw: He''s afraid to tackle. He tries hard to cover up his fear, but soon Coach Sears and the other Sandpipers know all about it. The team is fighting to finish the season at the top of the league, but how can they hope to succeed when one of their players lets the opposition run right by him? Coach Sears has no choice but to take Freddie out of the lineup. Now it''s up to Freddie to earn his way back onto the starting team. But can he overcome his fear?

Buzz cut or ponytail? Grunge look? Tattoo, body paint, or earring? How about none of the above? When Zach takes up skateboarding, he doesn''t realize that he''s expected to look a certain way -- and cop a certain attitude, too. At least that what it seems like. But Zach just isn''t comfortable with any of these things; he wants to skateboard for the fun of it, and maybe take part in a few competitions. Will he be ostracized because he looks and acts so "normal"? Or will his decision to stay true to himself mark him as a renegade, the very attitude his skateboarding buddies will appreciate?

After playing the sport he loved in his home country of Japan for 17 years, Ichiro left in 2000 and joined the Seattle Mariners. Would Ichiro succeed in the world''s most challenging baseball league? Includes black-and-white photos and players'' statistics.

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of watching Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals knows the sound of a hit. It''s the sound his bat makes when it connects with the ball. It''s a sound that''s been heard countless times since his 2001 rookie season. That year, he took the league by storm by posting some of the most fantastic offensive stats of any rookie ever-and he''s been doing the same ever since, shattering records and helping his team win games, including the 2006 World Series, with clutch hits and amazing home runs. This biography offers an up-close look at this superstar''s life and the most memorable moments of his outstanding career to date.

CHALLENGE AT SECOND BASE Stan Martin''s chances of playing second base seem next to zero at the start of the season. His rival for the position, Gary Newman, looks tough to beat. Stan loves baseball-maybe even more than his brother, Phil, who played pro ball until quitting suddenly the year before-but after experiencing a few setbacks, Stan is tempted to quit too. Then Stan receives a mysterious note telling him to stick it out-and soon Stan finds himself face-to-face with the challenge at second base.

Matt Christopher is the writer young readers turn to when they are looking for fast-paced, action-packed sports novels. This book is no exception. He is the author of a number of titles, including Tackle Without A Team, Face-Off, and many more.

The thrill of an interception, the crash of helmets, the seemingly impossible catch in the end zone -- Matt Christopher has captured all the suspense and play-by-play action of nine remarkable football plays and the personalities of the athletes who made them. Tom Dempsey''s sixty-three-yard field goal, Joe Namath''s guarantee of a Super Bowl win in 1969, and Walter Payton''s record-setting 275 yards rushing in a single game are among the moments recorded in this not-to-be-missed book from America''s best-loved sports writer for children.

Since signing with the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997, Lisa Leslie has impressed WNBA fans with her shooting, rebounding, and blocking abilities. But her notable achievements go further back. In the 1996 Olympic Games, she scored 29 points in the gold medal victory over Brazil. Her Pac-10 record for scoring, rebounding, and blocking still holds, as does her University of Southern California record for blocks. Part-time fashion model, Lisa Leslie is a high-profile athlete young readers will enjoy learning more about.

Dale Earnhardt, Sr. first broke onto the racing scene in 1979, when he was named Rookie of the Year. In the more than 20 years that followed, his daring driving style earned him several top honors, including his proudest moment, a victory at Daytona. On February 18th, 2001, Earnhardt had been racing in the Daytona 500, when in the final lap, he had a fatal crash. While other drivers have come and gone, the face of Dale Earnhardt, Sr., with his handlebar moustache and wide grin, will always be the face of NACAR. Get to know a legend.

When he inherits a racing car, sixteen-year-old Ken determines to become a drag racer.

Jose Mendez wants to be a great batter just like his father was when he played in the minor leagues. But every time Jose picks up the bat, disaster strikes. Will Jose ever be able to match his dad''s .375 batting average?

Cole Richards has been training in karate for four years. He''s on the brink of advancing to his next belt level, but as he prepares for his test, new challenges come his way. First, his dojo announces a "create-your-own kata" contest to take place the same day as his belt test. Now he''s torn between practicing for the test and making up a series of moves that will knock his sensei''s socks off. But before he even begins with either challenge, he lands in trouble with a group of local teens -- and then with his best friends, too! How will Cole handle the mounting pressure? With themes of jealousy, competition, and bullying, Matt Christopher brings together important life lessons and the thrill of karate.

Barry McGee, hit-away batter for the Peach Street Mudders, enjoys winning so much that he has a tendency to bend the rules; then the dirty tactics of the pitcher on a rival team give him a new perspective on sports ethics.

While trying to ask Uncle Pete to coach the Peach Street Mudders, Zero discovers that he can throw a slider when there''s a big bandage on his injured thumb.

A third baseman is sick with anxiety about whether or not to help his team by using his knack for knowing where the batter is going to hit the ball.

Sylvester''s baseball has been so dismal that the coach has him warming the bench. So when Cheeko offers to show him a few pointers, he eagerly accepts his offer. But Sylvester can''t help thinking there''s something fishy about Cheeko.

As soon as Brett Thyson steps on "The Lizard", the mysterious skateboard he unearthed in his backyard, he can feel its power. It glides smoothly and effortlessly, but Brett can''t shake off the feeling that there''s something not quite right about it.

A shy, unhappy sixteen-year-old with a talent for working with motorcycles runs away from his foster home and gets involved with a variety of people, both bad and good.

When Matt Harper moves in with his uncle while his mother works for the government in a mysterious job overseas, he knows his life will change. But so long as he can hit the slopes with his snowboard, Matt figures he''ll get along okay. But then he has a run-in with Riley, his new school''s best snowboarder. Soon, rumors are being spread about Matt''s past and challenges are being made. Will Matt be able to clear his name before Riley''s campaign to ruin him snowballs out of control?

Savannah is excited about throwing a holiday ice skating party and has already invited friends from her new school, when she learns that Jonas has invited the crowd from her old school to a party the same day.

This Matt Christopher classic story of a boy and his lucky baseball bat will capture readers'' imaginations while teaching them vital lessons about the importance of friendship, teamwork, and believing in themselves. When Martin moves to a new neighborhood, he wants nothing more than to make a good impression on his new teammates. After all, Martin loves baseball more than anything, and all he wants is to prove he''s worth his spot on the team. And with his lucky baseball bat in hand, what could go wrong? But when that same lucky baseball bat goes missing, Martin completely loses his ability to play baseball. But even though he''s lost his talent, Martin might just find something else: the value of friendship, his own confidence, and maybe, just maybe, a place on the team. Celebrating over six decades on bookshelves, this classic, timeless story of baseball, friendship, and confidence continues to captivate and delight new generations of readers.

When a new school year starts, and thirteen-year-old basketball star Julian feels a lot of pressure as he realizes he is the only remaining player from last year''s winning team, a friend''s health crisis helps him regain perspective.

A young boy is pressured by his family to abandon his promising soccer career for football.

Stookie Norris''s brother Greg scores three goals in one game and appears in the local paper. Greg insists that strikers should always score a hat trick in every game. Stookie runs wild chasing the ball during the next game but is it the best way for him to play?

When Travis Bonelli, the new kid in town and Peter Hooper''s new teammate, receives threats about improving his playing, he receives the boost he needs to play better baseball and to track down his harasser.