Books in Matt Christopher Legendary Sports Events series

Dive into the thrilling history of soccer's most famous tournament in this comprehensive guide to the World Cup! Soccer. No other sport in the world captivates a bigger audience--and no other competition electrifies its fans like the World Cup. Jam-packed with information about each and every World Cup ever played, this revised and updated edition of a Matt Christopher classic captures all the amazing highlights of soccer's most famous tournament. Want to know who was behind the biggest surprise defeat of the 1950 World Cup? It's in here. Want to know which country has won the Women's World Cup more than any other? Just turn the page. Want to know more about the biggest triumphs and harshest defeats, all while feeling like you're on the field with the sports legends? Wondering what the term Total Football means? You'll find the answers here--along with much, much more.

Jimmie's selfish move could ruin the whole team.... When Jimmie is elected captain of his baseball team, his first decision is to appoint himself pitcher - much to his teammates' dismay. They already have a good pitcher, Paul. When Jimmie's pitches fail to find their mark, his teammates let it be known that they want Paul back on the mound. But even if Jimmie agrees, will Paul be willing to return?

Soccer. No other sport in the world captivates a bigger audience -- and no other competition electrifies its fans like the World Cup. Now, just in time for the next World Cup competition, comes a book just for kids, jam-packed with information about each and every World Cup ever played. Want to know who was behind the biggest surprise defeat of the 1950 tournament? It's in here. Curious about what happened to the Jules Rimet trophy when it was in England? Turn to the chapter on World Cup 1966. Wondering what the term Total Football means? You'll find the answer here -- along with much, much more, including a bonus chapter on the Women's World Cup and lists of winners, runners-up, and scores of past Cups. And because it all comes from Matt Christopher, young readers know they're getting the best sports writing on the shelf.

Last season, thirteen-year-old Cal Kelliher was the star quarterback of the middle school football team. The only seventh grader in a starting line-up of eight graders, he spent the year playing ball and hanging out with the older boys. Now everything's changed. The eighth graders are freshmen, too wrapped up in high school to bother with Cal anymore. His teammates, used to be ignored by him, don't give him the time of day either. When a popular player challenges him for the quarterback position and the new head coach questions his attitude, Cal feels like he's being blitzed from all sides. Will he find a way to survive the mounting pressure, or will he get sacked?

Ask most Olympians how their story begins and they will answer, "When I was young, I always dreamed of going to the Olympics. . ." Some will then go on to tell of their great athletic triumphs. Others will recall agonizing near-misses. But for most, the very fact that they reached the Games at all was a dream come true. For the Olympic Games offer athletes something few others sporting events can: the chance to be recognized as the best in the world at a chosen sport. With stories of great triumphs and great tragedies, the Olympics not only embodies the competitive human spirit, but also sets a stage stage for foreign relations and politics. Historical references combined with amazing sports stories give this book both an educational and exciting appeal.

For more than a century, the World Series has captivated baseball fans. From Babe Ruth's Called Shot in 1932 and Reggie Jackson's three-in-a-row home runs in 1977, to the "reverse the curse" wins by Boston in 2004 and Chicago in 2005--this action-packed volume is sure to please. Quotes from the star athletes, photos of the best plays, and a complete list of results since the first series in 1903 round out the book that young baseball fans will find is an out-of-the park home run!

Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for kids, profiles basketball superstar Michael Jordan, covering his childhood, college career, rookie years, professional career highlights, and his short stint in minor league baseball. This reissue features an update, following Jordan from his re-entry into basketball as a player for the Washington Wizards to his third and final retirement announcement. With updated photos and Matt Christopher's easy-to-read style, this is a biography that's not to be missed. Updated photos and text will round out this Legends in Sports reissue and put Michael Jordan in league with other Legends in Sports, Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson.

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?

When Rond finds a dirt bike at the bottom of a lake, he can't believe his luck. But the bike needs fixing up and that takes money. When he takes a job doing yard work for a former dirt bike racer, he's convinced he's finally going to make his dream of racing come true. Little does he suspect that the job will lead him to the one person who can threaten his dream....