Most Popular Books by Matt Christopher

Home run slugger Sylvester Coddmyer the Third has an amazing secret. For three seasons, he's been coached by men who look exactly like baseball legends: Babe Ruth, Eddie Cicotte, and Mickey Mantle. Are these men just impersonating famous ballplayers, as his friend Duane insists? Or are they from the "beyond," as Snooky Malone believes? The mystery deepens in this fourth title of the exciting Home Run Kid series when yet another character from baseball's past appears to coach Syl. But is Syl the only one getting pointers? And will Snooky ever get to the bottom of this mystery?

Amanda Caler thought getting a nosebleed during a game was bad, but now things have gone from bad to worse--she finds she's afraid of the ball now! And if that's not bad enough, it looks like someone is trying to steal her spot at halfback. Could one of her teammates be capable of such a thing? Illustrations.

There is no football game more exciting than the Super Bowl, the match that pits the best AFC team against the best NFC in a battle for the NFL championship. THrilling last-second victories, curshing defeats, jaw-dropping touchdown catches-and misses!-the Super Bowl has it all. In this action-packed volume, young readers can relive forty years of Super Bowl history. It chronicles the rise of such dynasties as the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots as well as the agony felt by the all-time loser, the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills. Photos and quotes from superstar players bring the games to life. And with a complete list of all the Super Bowl results from I to XL, this book has everything a young football fan needs to know.

A biography of the unusually tall pitcher who became a baseball star for the Seattle Mariners.

The story of legendary Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play major league baseball, is recounted in this title.

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?

Two boys on a fishing expedition are surprised by a headless horseman, believed to be the ghost of a nineteenth-century horse thief.

Lisa Gaddy is a starting fullback for the 'Cats and she plays her position well -- except for one thing. She's small for her age, so her throw-ins from the sidelines don't go very far. Sometimes the ball winds up landing in front of an opponent instead of a teammate. She can't stop taking throw-ins (though one of her teammates thinks she should), but unless she grows three inches before the season ends, there doesn't seem to be any way she can improve. Or is there? The coach has an idea to turn Lisa's throw-ins into the 'Cats' secret weapon....

The #1 sports series for kids takes readers on the court and behind the scenes with beloved NBA icon Kobe Bryant in this inspiring biography. 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.

Mention the name Muhammad Ali and people the world over will know exactly who you're talking about. The former heavyweight champion is one of the most recognized and beloved sports figures of the past century. In the ring, he made an impact with his powerful fists and lightning quick feet. Outside the ring, he earned a reputation as a good-natured, free-spoken personality who liked to make up poems about how he planned to beat his next opponent. Yet Muhammad Ali was much more than a boxer and a braggart. He emerged during the tumultuous 60s as a man with strong spiritual convictions and an unwavering belief in the importance of the Civil Rights movement. Today he continues to support charitable causes and peace efforts even as he fights a new and more daunting opponent-a debilitating syndrome that has impaired his speech and motor control. Though he can no longer ``dance like a butterfly'' or ``sting like a bee,'' to sports lovers everywhere, he is still ``the greatest.'' Get to know a true legend.

When Stookie Norris's older brother, Greg, gets his picture in the paper for scoring three goals in one game, Stookie is dazzled. Greg insists strikers should try to score a hat trick every game, though Stookie's coach has never told him that. Still, when the Soccer 'Cats have their next game, Stookie does his best to score three goals -- even though it means running wild all over the field chasing the ball. But is that really the best way for him to play his position?

Matt Christopher, the #1 sports writer for kids, focuses on Andre Agassi, the controversial tennis phenomenon whose image is as hard-hitting as his playing. Real-life sports action plus the author's easy-to-read style equals a sports biography not to be missed.

Dennis O'Malley is a master on his skateboard. Although everyone else he knows skis all winter, a bad skiing accident has left him afraid to try it again. But when his friend Tasha gets a new snowboard, Dennis begins to wonder if he can turn his skateboarding abilities into snowboarding abilities. As he tries to develop his skills, he is challenged by rival snowboarders who make him doubt himself on his board. Can Dennis overcome his fears on the slopes in time to prove them wrong?

Depicts the life and career of the St. Louis Cardinals slugger, who holds the record for most homeruns in one season.

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, and soon after signed on with NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. At the 2002 Olympic Winter Games he captained the Canadian hockey team, leading them in their gold medal winning performance.

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" have sparked every team she's ever played on. At the University of North Carolina, she helped the Tar Heels capture four NCAA championships. Her continually stellar performances with the United States national team led them to win two out of three Women's World Cups, first in 1991 and again in 1999. And as a member of the 1996 gold medal-winning Olympic team, she played an outstanding final game on a sprained ankle. The holder of the world record for most goals scored in a career, she is the hero of thousands of soccer fans worldwide. Readers will devour every detail of this insightful biography of the best women's soccer player in the world. Get an up-close look at this superstar athlete with Matt Christopher, the number one sports series for kids. For more information on the Matt Christopher Sports Bio Bookshelf, please turn to the last pages of this book.

Provides a fact-filled biography of Greg Maddux, covering the baseball superstar's life as a pitcher, his character as a player, and the special achievements of his career, such as winning four Cy Young Awards and six Gold Glove Awards.

Riding a bike is such a rush for Will Matthews. Soon after he joins a mountain biking club, he's hurtling down hills, pedaling over mud-churned trails and leaping over rocks and gullies. But he may be moving so fast that he's forgotten the friend he left behind.160 pp.