Most Popular Books by Matt Christopher

Bus Mercer, shortstop for the Peach Street Mudders, wants desperately to be picked for the county all-star team, but he breaks his parents'' rules for riding his new bike, and feelings of guilt affect his game.

Joey is sure he will not get along with the exchange student from Nicaragua who is staying with his family for a year, but they find common ground on the baseball field.

Rusty Young wants to play basketball in the summer league, but his parents object because Rusty has been diagnosed with diabetes. That is only one of the obstacles Rusty has to overcome before he can join the team.

A boy becomes a phenomenal baseball player one summer when a mysterious stranger resembling Babe Ruth befriends him

The exciting sequel to Slam Dunk! Julian Pryce was once the star center of the Tornadoes. But when he joins a new team after his family moves, he suddenly finds himself the star benchwarmer. It turns out the Warriors already have a starting center, Paul Boyd, who has no intention of sharing the court with Julian. The coach is no help, either, for one simple reason: Paul is his son! Now Julian may have to take drastic measures if he''s going to get back into the game. . . but is he to blame when Paul winds up in the hospital?

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.

Theo Gordimer is a classic 13-year-old couch 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 a 5K road race coming up. The money collected from the race goes toward cancer research. Theo panics: 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 one mile without having to stop. How will he be able to finish the race?

Nicky is on his way to breaking the record for most runs batted in, but first he must overcome his superstitions, and someone who doesn''t want to see the old record broken.

Voted captain of his baseball team, Jimmie declares himself pitcher even though Paul is a better pitcher. Paul leaves for another team, and Jimmie''s team starts losing. Can Jimmie regain the confidence of his friends?

Only one thing keeps Jim from being the best linebacker in the team - his fear of getting tackled. But his friend Chuckie knows Jim isn''t a coward. With Chuckie''s special courage as an example, can Jim find the strength to face his fears head-on?

Mel Jensen, an African-American boy, is talented enough to be on the basketball team''s starting lineup, but two of the white players want to keep him in the background.

Sequel to The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter. When his telepathic dog Harry is grounded for nipping another dog, Mike wonders how he''ll ever make it through the baseball game without his advice and encouragement.

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.

Jabber Morris has his heart set on playing soccer, but his family is pressuring him to play football. Tension at home builds when Jabber''s brother suspects him of stealing. Now he has to tell his uncle that he''s decided to play soccer - and convince his brother that he''s not a thief. One of the all-time best-selling titles from Matt Christopher!

Twelve-year-old Danny thinks that there is something very familiar about the girl who plays shortstop on the team he faces during the championship series, and his curiosity leads him to a surprising discovery about his own adoption.

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.

Disappointed at first by not being large enough to make quarterback, Boots discovers that there is as much challenge in playing tackle.

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 wants to find something to fill the void left by gymnastics, but is diving for her?

Jimmie makes his teammates mad when he becomes captain and selects himself as pitcher of his baseball team and he does not perform well during games.

Already troubled by his parents'' divorce, Bobby Canfield is further distressed when he learns that his father, who has coached him in running bases, intends to move away.

Tina Esparza loves soccer, especially that it''s a team sport where no one player is in the spotlight. Imagine her surprise when the coach asks her to train as the team''s goalkeeper. Will Tina be able to overcome her shyness and accept a position that puts her in the center of attention?

After he gets hit by a fast-moving ball, Turtleneck Jones loses his confidence on the baseball diamond and sees his position at first base given to another player.

Mike and his dog Harry, the Airedale with ESP, are shocked to discover that the new umpire for Mike''s baseball games can hear their mental conversations.

Having just begun to learn how to snowboard, thirteen-year-old Dennis faces a frightening challenge when he allows a bully to shame him into racing on a difficult slope.

A boy and his psychic dog are able to steal plays from the opposing football team.

When a cartoon appears in the school newspaper making fun of his tendency to talk a lot, Mac, the goalie for the Cougars soccer team, is determined to find out who is responsible.

Sylvester Coddmyer III, star of "The Kid Who Only Hit Homers" and "Return of the Home Run Kid" is about to face his biggest challenge yet. He sprains his ankle and wonders how he will hit homers--or even singles--when every swing means pain.

Daren''s tendency to blame everyone but himself when anything goes wrong causes problems with his best friend, with a young neighbor who idolizes him, and with one of his basketball teammates.

Chico Romez is new to the Royals baseball team, but all the players welcome him and his ability in the outfield. All but one, that its. String Becker seems to have it in for Chico. What will it take for Chico to prove himself to String?

There is a new player on the Peach Street Mudders, and Alfie Maples must figure out how to help him improve his game.

Twelve-year-old Brent Mullen discovers that the new assistant hockey coach is teaching the defensemen on his team illegal moves to help them win at any cost.

Newly independent readers will love this classic baseball story, now illustrated in full color! Mike has a special relationship with his dog, Harry. They can read each other''s minds! Harry is able to help Mike out with tips about the opposing players on the baseball field, but Mike''s having trouble with his pitches--and the buddies need to work together to save the game! Passport to Reading Level 3

Mark Conway is staying with his grandparents while his parents fight over whom he''ll live with after they divorce. He''s become a valued member of the school soccer team and seems to be coping with the changes in his life. Or is he?

A collection of wacky jokes, riddles, puns, and anecdotes about America''s favorite pastime is gathered by a favorite young sports fiction writer and is guaranteed to liven up locker rooms and baseball diamonds alike.

A young, inexperienced football team discovers that its beginner''s luck is due to a series of mysterious but successful plays anonymously sent to the coach.

Capturing the suspense and play-by-play action of nine major league plays and the personalities of the athletes that made them, a fan''s treasury includes Willie May''s 1954 World Series catch and Jim Abbott''s no-hitter.

TOUCHDOWN FOR TOMMY Is football Tommy''s key to a new home? Football isn''t just Tommy''s favorite sport-he also thinks that it''s the key to a good home. The recently orphaned Tommy is delighted to discover that his foster father, Mr. Powell, coaches Midget League football. By playing well, Tommy hopes that he will make Mr. Powell want to adopt him, and then he will have a real family again. But will things work out the way he plans!

The twins toy hockey game seems to be magic as it plays games identical to the real ones before they even happen.

A young baseball player struggles to overcome his fear of a pitched ball, improve his throwing, and somehow redeem himself in the eyes of his teammates.

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.