Books with author Brian Howell

Playmakers introduces young readers to their current heroes on and off the field. Joe Mauer: All-Star Catcher summarizes Joe Mauer's life and career to date and draw attention to accomplishments beyond his athletic skill as well as career highlights thus far. Short, informative sidebars add to the engaging, easy-to-read text, making Playmakers a hit for any reader in your library! SportsZone is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Have you seen a rally car race before? The vehicles may look like cars you see on the street, but rally cars have been modified for incredible endurance, strength, and speed. They race on courses made of dirt, sand, and even ice! Rallying brings together the best car manufacturers, drivers, and mechanics to put their cars to the test. Enter the Dirt and Destruction Sports Zone to learn about the history, courses, competition rules, and the celebrity drivers connected to rally car racing. You'll learn: • Who the most successful rally car racer in history is. • How a rally car is built to last through a tough 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) race. • What equipment and rules ensure the safety of the racers and fans. • Why rally car races are the ultimate test of a driver's skill and stamina. Are you into sports? Then get in the zone!

Do you know what it's like to drive a truck that is as big as an elephant? Despite their giant size, monster trucks can pull off soaring jumps, flips, and other epic stunts. These trucks compete head-to-head to reveal the fastest and the most agile of them all. Events such as the Monster Jam World Finals keep the crowds on the edges of their seats. Enter the Dirt and Destruction Sports Zone to learn about the history, mechanics, rules, and the trailblazing drivers connected to monster trucks. You'll learn: • How race organizers create a track with plastic, plywood, and lots of dirt. • What gear and strategies drivers use to protect themselves. • Who pulled off some of the wildest moves in monster truck history. • What it's like to crush a row of cars beneath a monster truck's enormous tires. Are you into sports? Then get in the zone!

This title compares classic star Michael Jordan and contemporary champion LeBron James. From scoring and rebounding to defense and leadership, chapters explore and compare each player’s skills on the court. The title also features end-of-chapter fact boxes for side-by-side player comparison, as well as a glossary. It will be up to the reader to decide who is the all-time basketball hero.

Have you ever seen a car crash? How about dozens of car crashes all at the same time? At demolition derbies, you'll see drivers ram their cars into one another until only one car remains moving. Crowds roar and cheer as hoods and doors and other car parts fly through the air. Enter the Dirt and Destruction Sports Zone to learn about the history, gear, rules, strategies, and the top drivers connected to demolition derby. You'll learn: • What makes a great demolition derby vehicle. • How drivers look for hits and avoid getting smashed by other cars. • Who popularized the sport in the United States. • Where the biggest derby took place. Are you into sports? Then get in the zone!

Learn about the key players and big wins that have made the Minnesota Vikings one of the most popular and exciting teams in the NFL. Readers will get a glimpse into the league, the team's history, its home stadium, its fans, and the team's most memorable moments. Additional features to enhance comprehension include informative sidebars, a glossary of key words and phrases, sources for further research, a look at the parts of a football field, a section on common football gear, and a section of career records and stats.