Books for the Sports FanBraced
Coming Up Clutch
View in library catalog.
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View in library catalog. |
Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. Kwame Alexander and James Patterson join forces to vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his childhood friends, struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about Cassius' family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how, after a thief stole his bike, Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali.
Fully authorized by and written in cooperation with the Muhammad Ali estate, and vividly brought to life by Dawud Anyabwile's dynamic artwork, Becoming Muhammad Ali captures the budding charisma and youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time. |
Softball Switch-Up
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Raisa Kumar has been playing softball for years, and thanks to the support and encouragement of her team, the Silver Stars, she's one of the best pitchers in the league. When a new girl, Annie, joins the team and wants to learn how to pitch, Raisa is eager to help. But Raisa is sure her way is the best way, what words for her has to work for Annie. Can Raisa lean to step back and share the mound for the good of her team?
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Beyond Lucky
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Ari Fish believes in two things: his hero-Wayne Timcoe, the greatest soccer goalie to ever come out of Somerset Valley-and luck. So when Ari finds a rare and valuable Wayne Timcoe trading card, he's sure his luck has changed for the better. Especially when he's picked to be the starting goalie on his team. But when the card is stolen-and his best friend and the new girl on the team accuse each other of taking it-suddenly Ari can't save a goal, everyone is fighting, and he doesn't know who, or what, to believe in.
Before the team falls apart, Ari must learn how to make his own luck, and figure out what it truly means to be a hero. |
Batting Order (and other titles by Mike Lupica)
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On or off the field, Matt and Ben couldn't be more different. Ben Roberson is an all-or-nothing player: he's big, he's bold, and he's brash. Ben's swing can hit a ball right out of the park--but that's if he can get a hit at all.
Matt Baker is small, and shy, and his stutter has him avoiding the spotlight--even if he's the best all-rounder on the team. But while Matt knows he's got the chops, a part of him has always envied "Big Ben" and his attention-grabbing charm. So it's a total shock when Ben asks Matt to help him work on his swing. Because Ben can't put the ball into play, and his showboating comes at the expense of the team. And even though Matt's trying to help, Ben doesn't seem to take him seriously, especially when it means toning things down. The end of the season is fast approaching--is there enough time for Ben to realize bigger isn't always better? For Matt to understand that sometimes, being the bigger person means standing up for yourself? Or will they have to accept defeat? |
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!
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Vivy Cohen wants to play baseball. Ever since her hero, Major League star pitcher VJ Capello, taught her how to throw a knuckleball at a family fun day for kids with autism, she's been perfecting her pitch. And now she knows she's ready to play on a real team. When her social skills teacher makes her write a letter to someone she knows, she writes to VJ and tells him everything about how much she wants to pitch, and how her mom says she can't because she's a girl and because she has autism. And then two amazing things happen- Vivy meets a Little League coach who invites her to join his team, the Flying Squirrels. And VJ starts writing back.
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Baseball Genius
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An average kid with an above average talent for predicting baseball pitches tries to help his favorite player out of a slump in this entertaining novel from bestselling authors Tim Green and Derek Jeter.
Jalen DeLuca loves baseball. Unfortunately his dad can't afford to keep him on the travel team. His dad runs a diner and makes enough to cover the bills, but there isn't enough to cover any extras. So Jalen decides to take matters into his own hands and he sneaks into the home of the New York Yankee's star second baseman, James Yager, and steals a couple of balls from his personal batting cage. He knows that if he can sell them, he'll be able to keep himself on the team. But like the best-laid plans--or in this case the worst!--Jalen's scheme goes wrong when Yager catches him. But Jalen has a secret: his baseball genius. He can analyze and predict almost exactly what a pitcher is going to do with his next pitch. He can't quite explain how he knows, he just knows. And after proving to Yager that he really can do this, using a televised game and predicting pitch after pitch with perfect accuracy, the two agree to a deal. Jalen will help Yager out of his batting slump and Yager won't press charges. However, when he begins to suspect that the team's general manager has his own agenda, Jalen's going to need his friends and his unusual baseball talent to save not only Yager's career, but his own good name. |
Benchwarmers
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Twelve-year-old Jeff Michaels, son of a Philadelphia TV sports reporter, is just learning to play soccer on the new sixth-grade team at his middle school. Andrea Carillo has fought her way onto the squad, but the coach doesn't think girls should play with boys, so she's riding the bench with Jeff--even though she's one of the best players.
With Jeff's help, the Philly media gets ahold of the story, and suddenly Andi is all over the news as she shows her worth on the soccer field. But amid bullies, threats, and a media firestorm, will Andi's skills and Jeff's perseverance be enough to save the season? From sportswriter John Feinstein comes this action-packed novel about two kids who may be "benchwarmers," but prove themselves naturals when it comes to teamwork, friendship, and finding a path to victory. |
The Contract
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As a young boy, Derek Jeter dreams of being the shortstop for the New York Yankees. He even imagines himself in the World Series. So when Derek is chosen for the Little League Tigers, he hopes to play shortstop. But on the day of the assignments, Derek Starts at second base. Still, he tries his best while he wishes and dreams of that shortstop spot. And to help him stay focused on school, his parents make him a contract: keep up the grades or no baseball. Derek makes sure he always plays his best game-on and off the baseball field!
Derek Jeter has played Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees for twenty seasons and is a five-time World Series Champion. He is a true legend in professional sports and a role model for young people both on the field and through his Turn 2 Foundation. |
Rising Above: How 11 Athletes Overcame Challenges in Their Youth to Become Stars
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Team USA goalkeeper Tim Howard was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in sixth grade. He went on to become a national treasure after single-handedly keeping America competitive in the 2014 World Cup. Stephen Curry was told he was too small, too weak, and too slow to even play for a major college team. He outworked everyone to become MVP of the National Basketball Association. Jim Abbott was born without his right hand, yet he refused to be defined by what he lacked. He went on to pitch a no-hitter in the Major Leagues.
Athlete after athlete in this book found discipline, hope, and inspiration on the playing field, rising above their circumstances. Filled with firsthand accounts from superstars who exemplify the idea of enduring at all costs, Rising Above will serve as a source of inspiration and entertainment for kids and sports fans of all ages. |
Guinness World Records 2021
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All aboard Guinness World Records 2021 for a life-changing journey of discovery!
This year, we're devoting a chapter to the history of exploration, starting with the story of the very first circumnavigation, along with our "History of Adventure" timeline, featuring a host of remarkable achievements. The fully revised and updated best-seller is packed with thousands of incredible new feats across the widest spectrum of topics, providing a whistle-stop tour of our superlative universe. Our ever-expanding pool of international consultants and experts help us make sense of the world around us and the cosmos beyond. So join us as we embark on a voyage through the vast panorama of record-breaking in 12 fact-packed chapters: · Travel through the Solar System and see the planets come to life with a free Augmented Reality feature · Encounter the cutest, weirdest, most dangerous and exotic creatures on our home planet · Meet the world's tallest, shortest, hairiest and heaviest humans · Marvel at the latest high scores, speed runs, and players at the top of their game in eSports and beyond · Get the lowdown on the world's most successful and prolific actors, musicians, TV stars and influencers We've also selected the best of the newly approved claims from the 50,000 applications received from the public over the past 12 months. But don't just be a tourist: try some of our specially created try-at-home challenges that could see YOU listed in the world-famous book of records. If you want to be one of those lucky few, check out our Against the Clock chapter--we might even see you in next year's edition! Finally, be inspired by the latest inductees to the Guinness World Records Hall of Fame, including the real-life Captain Nemo who's traveled to the deepest point in every ocean, the fearless campaigner for human rights who risked her life to make the world a better place, and the teenage millionaire who made his fortune playing Fortnite. It's a big world out there! Let Guinness World Records 2021 be your guide! |
The Greatest Football Teams of All Time
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Covering individual teams (Hello, 1972 Miami Dolphins!) but also the best eras in famous teams' history, such as the Patriots of the '00s and the Steelers of the late 1970s, the editors at Sports Illustrated Kids dissect the best of the gridiron to show the whys and hows of team building, brilliant strategy, player combinations, and that special magic that the greatest teams have and which owners can't buy--even if there weren't a salary cap. Player profiles, stats and records, and thrilling narratives show the march to the Super Bowl and into history of America's favorite spectator sport. Amazing photos, insider stories, and fun facts capture the cultural phenomenon that is football in the U.S.! The SI Kids editors won't forget college ball! Picture the 2001 Miami Hurricanes cruising to the national title with a perfect season that was fun and full of swagger, displaying an absurd level of talent with six first-team All-Americans leading the way.
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Kid Owner
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When Ryan's estranged father unexpectedly dies, Ryan learns that he has inherited the Dallas Cowboys football team. With his new role as owner of this NFL team, Ryan has high hopes that he can be more than just a middle school misfit. Maybe he can even get off the bench and into the starting lineup of his own football team.
With the help of his friends Jackson and Izzy, Ryan takes advantage of his newfound stardom. He convinces his coach to use a tricky passing offense that plays to Ryan's strengths. But just when things are looking up, Ryan's nasty stepmother makes a legal play to make her own son the Cowboys' kid owner. With drama heating up both on and off the field, Ryan quickly realizes he may lose much more than just the Dallas Cowboys. |
Ghost
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Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team--a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.
Running. That's all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons--it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems--and running away from them--until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him? |
On Point
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Now that Zayd has made the Gold Team, he's hustling hard and loving every minute of the season.
But when the team starts to struggle, Zayd can't help wondering if it has something to do with him. Even worse, his best friend Adam suddenly starts acting like he doesn't care about basketball anymore, even though they are finally teammates. He stops playing basketball with Zayd at recess and starts hanging out with other kids. Then, Adam up and quits the Gold Team to play football instead. While his uncle's wedding preparations turn life into a circus at home, Zayd is left on his own to figure things out. He has to decide how to still be friends with Adam and step up to fill the empty shoes he left on the court. Does Zayd have what it takes to be on point and lead his team back to victory? |
Rivals
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Cooperstown! Josh is thrilled when all his hard training pays off in a big way and his team, the Titans, makes it to a national tournament in Cooperstown, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. More is on the line for Josh than just a trophy. Winning would mean everything to his dad--now Josh's coach. Winning could mean a major endorsement deal for the Titans and the attention of big league scouts!
After a dirty play and a brutal injury threaten to sideline Josh, he spies suspicious activity at the tournament. He tries to tell his good friend Jaden about what he's seen, but she's too busy spending time with the L.A. Comets' star player, Mickey Mullen Jr., to want to get involved. Jaden says she's doing research for the newspaper . . . but is she? Now Josh has a rival--both on the field and off--as he swings for the fences in a game that quickly becomes more dangerous. |
Out of Left Field
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Every boy in the neighborhood knows Katy Gordon is their best pitcher, even though she's a girl. But when she tries out for Little League, it's a whole different story. Girls are not eligible, period. It is a boy's game and always has been. It's not fair, and Katy's going to fight back. Inspired by what she's learning about civil rights in school, she sets out to prove that she's not the only girl who plays baseball. With the help of friendly librarians and some tenacious research skills, Katy discovers the forgotten history of female ball players. Why does no one know about them? Where are they now? And how can one ten-year-old change people's minds about what girls can do?
Set in 1957--the world of Sputnik and Leave It to Beaver, saddle shoes and "Heartbreak Hotel"--Out of Left Field is both a detailed picture of a fascinating historic period and a timelessly inspiring story about standing up for equality at any age. |
Slap-shot Slump
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Simon Wahlberg eats, sleeps, and breathes hockey. His parents want to see their son achieve his dreams, so they move to the town of Edgewater, known for its elite high school hockey team. Simon tries out for the squad, and even though he's only in eighth grade, he lands a spot on the roster. But playing hockey for Edgewater isn't easy. Every player on the ice is bigger, stronger, and faster than Simon. If Simon is going to keep up, he will have to push himself further than he ever has before. But soon his grades begin to slide, and Simon starts to question if hockey is the right choice for him. Can Simon find a way to do it all?
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Finding the Edge
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Figure skating icon and U.S. National Champion Karen Chen tells the amazing story of her rise to the top, featuring never-before-seen photos and behind-the-scenes details from her journey on and off the ice!
At seventeen years old, Karen Chen has already achieved what some girls only dream of--and yet it's only the beginning for this incredibly talented athlete. The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Karen began to figure skate at just five years old. Ten years and many grueling training sessions later, she broke out at the 2015 US Championships with a bronze medal. This was after sustaining a nearly career-ending ankle fracture a year earlier. In 2017, Karen became the US National Champion, winning gold in two programs and receiving the highest score ever recorded for the short program at the US National level. Now for the first time, Karen shares the story of how she got where she is today--and where she's going next. Karen has already overcome astounding obstacles, and her grit, determination, and positive attitude have made her future truly limitless. In Finding the Edge, she shares, in her own words, what it's like to be Karen Chen--and what it takes to achieve the impossible. Features a foreword from Kristi Yamaguchi, the Olympic champion, two-time World champion, and U.S. champion. |
Simone Biles: Gymnastics Star
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Simone Biles is one of the country's best female athletes. Learn about her childhood, the challenges she has overcome, and this gymnast's greatest accomplishments. Get the inside scoop on her gold-medal-winning Olympic appearance.
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Would You Dare Walk Across Niagara Falls?
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In 2012, Nik Wallenda became the first person to tightrope-walk over Niagara Falls. He braved high winds and spray from the mighty flowing waters while doing so. Many marveled at the feat and wondered how it was possible. Wallenda's story as well as tales of others who attempted the jaw-dropping deed are included in this high-interest text. Spine-tingling photographs and fun fact boxes are sure to amaze and delight readers.
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"Pro Wrestling's Greatest" Series
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From good guys ("faces") to bad guys ("heels") and everything in between, Pro Wrestling's Greatest will give young readers a look inside the thrilling world of professional wrestling. Each book builds suspense as a top ten list counts down to the biggest and best in each category. Readers will learn the secrets and stories behind these legendary athletes and their exploits in the ring.
Find out more about the top matches in the wrestling world from yesterday and today. The title features informative sidebars, a glossary, and further resources. |
Go! Fight! Twin!
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All of Alex's new friends are trying out for the cheerleading squad, and they convince her to try out with them. There's only one problem: she's the least coordinated person on the planet! Alex knows she can never actually be a cheerleader, but she wants to avoid total humiliation at tryouts, so she enlists Ava to pretend to be her and try out in her place--sometimes having a twin really comes in handy!
Alex instructs Ava to be good, but not good enough to make the squad. But Ava finds herself enjoying the routines, giving a great performance, and making the team! Ava can't be a football player and a cheerleader at the same time...what's a scheming pair of twins to do? |
Roller Girl
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For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school... in short, strong enough to be a roller girl.
In this graphic novel debut that earned a Newbery Honor and five starred reviews, real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson has created an inspiring coming-of-age story about friendship, perseverance, and girl power! |
Love Double Dutch!
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Brooklyn middle-schooler MaKayla can only think about one thing--taking her double Dutch team all the way to the National Jump-off at Madison Square Garden. That is, until her mother breaks the news. Kayla has to spend the summer at her aunt's house in North Carolina while her parents work out their problems . . . or decide to call it quits.
Kayla does not feel at home in the South, and she certainly doesn't get along with her snooty cousin Sally. It looks like her Jump-off dreams are over. Hold the phone! Turns out, double Dutch is huge in the South. She and Sally just need to find two more kids for a team. And a routine. And the confidence to stand up to the double Dutch divas who used to be Sally's BFFs. Time to show those Southern belles some Brooklyn attitude! |
Before the Ever After
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For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone's hero. As a charming, talented pro football star, he's as beloved to the neighborhood kids he plays with as he is to his millions of adoring sports fans. But lately life at ZJ's house is anything but charming. His dad is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ZJ's mom explains it's because of all the head injuries his dad sustained during his career. ZJ can understand that--but it doesn't make the sting any less real when his own father forgets his name. As ZJ contemplates his new reality, he has to figure out how to hold on tight to family traditions and recollections of the glory days, all the while wondering what their past amounts to if his father can't remember it. And most importantly, can those happy feelings ever be reclaimed when they are all so busy aching for the past?
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Raymie Nightingale
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Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.
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