Most Popular Books by Matt Christopher

The Kid Who Only Hit Homers has sold over one million copies and is now a film on Amazon Prime! A baseball fan learns the true meaning of success in this beloved classic that will capture the imaginations of a new generation of young readers. 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 and sure to win over a new generation of young sports fans.

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?

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.

Right fielder Alfie Maples is mystified by the newest member of the Peach Street Mudders. As far as Alfie can see, Roberti Frantelli can barely catch a ball or hit. Then Coach Parker asks Alfie to show the newcomer the ropes. Alfie is flattered and teaches Roberti all he can -- but begins to suspect that the coach plans to start Roberti in his position in the next game! Who is this strange new player, and can Alfie continue to help him play his best?

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.

CENTER COURT STING Trash talking leads to trouble on the basketball court.... 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?

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?

It''s an all star showdown... The journey to the Little League Baseball® World Series continues! The Forest Park All-Star teammates are moving on to Sectionals competition. Carter Jones leads the charge with a devastating pitch that leaves batters blinking in confusion. Forest Park looks unstoppable--until a long-held grudge threatens to break apart the team and end its postseason journey. Catcher Liam McGrath, Carter''s cousin, knows all about grudges. But if he''s going to succeed on his California All-Star team, he has to put them aside and work together with a rival-turned-teammate. Do they have what it takes to make it to the Little League Baseball® World Series? © 2013 Little League Baseball, Incorporated.

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

Bus Mercer, shortstop for the Peach Steet 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.

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.

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.

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.

Threatened by a beating if he hits against Roy''s pitching, Johnny almost loses a ballgame for his team.

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

At the start of the 1998 major league baseball season, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire hit a home run. In the games that followed, he did it again. And again. And again. And again. By the end of the season, in late September, he had done the hardest thing in baseball an earth-shattering seventy times. He didn''t just break the decades-old single-season home-run record set by Roger Maris in 1961-he shattered it. And by doing so, he not only set a new benchmark for players to strive for, but also reminded people that baseball is fun, a game to be enjoyed, with heroes who play for the love of the sport, not for the love of money. In this powerful biography of the most talked-about man in baseball, Matt Christopher, the number one sports series for kids, explores the slugger''s childhood days on the diamond as well as the ups and downs of his college and professional career. For more information on the Matt Christopher Sports Bio Bookshelf, please see the last pages of this book.

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.

On-court hostility threatens Mel''s place on the team Mel Jensen is new to the Titans basketball team, but he knows he could be a vital part of the starting lineup-if only two other players would give him a chance to show his stuff. But Caskie and Stoney seem bent on ignoring him, and Mel knows it''s because he''s black. Should Mel fight fire with fire, or should he try to get along, if only for the sake of the team?

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

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.