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Behind the Desk With Matt Christopher: The #1 Sportswriter for Kids
by Dale Christopher
In 1954, Matt Christopher wrote and published The Lucky Baseball Bat and has since published more than one hundred twenty novels, making him the most prolific and bestselling sportswriter for children ever. With over 6 million copies sold, Matt's books have a permanent place in the hearts of young sports fans. Throughout 2004, we celebrate 50 years with Matt Christopher's own commemorative biography written by his son, Dale, in the tradition of the Matt Christopher Biography Bookshelf, with exclusive photos, original letters, and memorabilia.
Get your own personalized book autographed by Dale Christopher, for only $6.00, which includes Shipping and Handling.
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On the Field with...Albert Pujols (coming out in July, 2009)
By Matt Christopher
"Since his rookie year in 2001, Albert Pujols has been a rising star in Major League Baseball. He's already shattered records and led his team, the St. Louis Cardinals, to victory at the 2006 World Series. A team player and determined athlete. He's both a superstar and a great role model for kids."
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On the Court with...LeBron James
by Matt Christopher
Outstanding. Unbelievable. Mindblowing.
These are just a few of the words used to describe the talents of LeBron James. He was a sensation in his early days playing AAU ball in Akron, Ohio-and continued to amaze through his four years as a high school phenomenon. Now going into his fifth year as a star of the Cleveland Cavaliers, he has is touted as the best player in basketball today. And for good reason: his dunks are monstrous, his no-look passes are things of beauty, his three-pointers seem effortless. But even more importantly, he is that one-of-a-kind superstar whose main goal isn't to rack up the stats-it's to make his team better.
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On the Field With...Eli and Peyton Manning
by Matt Christopher
Archie Manning of the New Orleans Saints. Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. Eli Manning of the New York Giants. One father, two brothers, three great quarterbacks: Never has the National Football League boasted such a dominating dynasty!
This is the story of their rise through the football ranks, from their days as high school standouts through their college games to their triumphs as professional players. The pages are packed with play-by-play action of their best games, glimpses of what they were like as boys, the pressures and thrills of brother playing against brother, plus career stats, exciting photos, and up-to-the-minute highlights. This is the book for young football fans on the lookout for in-depth info on the NFL’s ruling dynasty—and because it comes from Matt Christopher, young readers know they’re getting the best sports writing on the shelf.
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On the Court With... Yao Ming
by Matt Christopher
Yao Ming is one of the biggest stars in basketball today--literally. At seven feet, six-inches, Yao's impressive performance for the NBA's Houston Rockets earned him the Rookie of the Year Award in 2002-2003, and put him on the covers of Sports Illustrated and other magazines, as well as in television commercials for Visa and Gatorade. His gentle nature off the court doesn't impede his domination on the court.
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On the Mound with... Curt Schilling
by Matt Christopher
Curt Schilling, star pitcher of the Arizona Diamondbacks, wasn't always considered major league material. Born with the natural ability to throw a screaming fastball, Schilling assumed he could ride his talent to the big leagues. But Schilling soon realized that if he was going to succeed in baseball, he needed to change his attitude. And he did just that. Through hard work on and off the field, Schilling has become one of the most commanding and respected hurlers in the game.
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On the Court with... Jennifer Capriati
by Matt Christopher
Jennifer Capriati was a teen tennis phenom at age fourteen. Then, Capriati began to feel burdened by the pressures of fame, fortune, and the need to win. Three years after her professional debut, she left tennis to try to live the life of a normal teenager. After some very public mistakes, Capriati decided to turn her life around and try to regain her love of the sport. In 1996, she reemerged on the tennis scene. And by the turn of the century she had proven that she still had the skills, talent, and determination to be a superstar.
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On The Court With...Shaquille O'Neal
Matt Christopher
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the biggest and brightest stars of the National Basketball Association. Since his rookie year as center for the Orlando Magic, and in later years with the Los Angeles Lakers, he has dominated on the court. Whether slamming massive dunks, rejecting shots attempted by his opponents, or ripping down rebounds, Shaq makes his presence known whenever he plays. In the 1999/2000 season, he helped the Lakers win the first of their three consecutive NBA Championships. These victories, plus appearances in movies, commercials, and advertisements, have made him one of the most recognized and well-paid figures in sports today. Shaq is also a big man off the court. He has put fame and fortune to good use by founding charitable organizations and donating his time and money to help those less fortunate.
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At the Plate with... Ken Griffey, Jr.: Updated Edition
Matt Christopher
Ken Griffey Jr., son of former pro player Ken Griffey Sr., has baseball in his blood. From his early years hanging out at Yankee Stadium with his father through his high school days as a baseball star, Ken Jr. was destined to bring greatness to whatever team he played for. And as a member of the Seattle Mariners since 1989, he has fulfilled his destiny by helping to shape his team into division champs. But what fans love best is that through it all, Ken Griffey Jr. has worn his famous smile -- the smile that says "I love baseball!"
In this exciting biography, Matt Christopher, the number-one sports writer for children, goes to the plate for an inside look at the charismatic superstar of the Seattle Mariners.
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At the Plate with...Mark McGwire
Matt Christopher
When St. Louis Cardinal Mark McGwire hit home-run number 62 on September 8, 1998, he broke a record few thought could ever be broken-Roger Maris's 61 homers in one season had stood since 1961. Yet Mark McGwire did not just beat that mark, he pulverized it by smacking 70 home runs by the end of the season. At the same time, he reminded people that baseball is fun, with heroes who play for the love of the sport, not the love of money. The seventeenth biography in this popular series explores the events that lead up to McGwire's historic sixty-second trip around the bases.
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At the Plate with...Mo Vaughn
Matt Christopher
When Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn strides to the plate, he radiates energy and power. With one mighty swing, he can turn a two-run deficit into a two-run lead. And in the field, he makes the plays that count.
But it hasn't always been this way. Only through hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn did he find his way into the majors -- and the top statistics of the American League. But even when he was named League MVP in 1995, he made himself a promise to keep working, keep learning, and keep improving.
In this exciting biography, Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for kids, goes to the plate for an inside look at Mo Vaughn, whose on-field stature is rivaled only by his off-field commitment to helping those less fortunate than himself.
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At the Plate with...Sammy Sosa
Matt Christopher
Sammy Sosa is not called "Slammin' Sammy" for nothing. This powerhouse slugger from the Chicago Cubs achieved a feat many thought to be impossible-beating Roger Maris's home-run record. Along with Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa captivated the attention of the world and helped to revitalize the popularity of the sport of baseball as he kept the homerun record race alive. Sammy's unselfish and playful attitude, together with his amazing athletic ability, make him a role model for young and old alike. The eighteenth biography in this popular series documents the rise of this baseball star from his youth in the Dominican Republic to role of baseball superstar.
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On the Field With... Derek Jeter
Matt Christopher
When he was a little boy, Derek Jeter dreamed only one dream -- he wanted to play shortstop for the New York Yankees. Today, Derek Jeter lives that dream, and more. He has been the team's star shortstop since 1996 and is a major reason the Yankees have won three World Series in that time. His outstanding play in the field combined with his powerful batting make him a force to be reckoned with, but it's his positive attitude and hard work that have earned him the respect and admiration of his teammates and his fans. In a sport filled with superstars, Derek Jeter has proven he has what it takes to rise to the top.
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In the Goal With... Briana Scurry
Matt Christopher
On July 10, 1999, at the end of ninety minutes of regulation play plus two fifteen-minute overtime periods, Briana Scurry faced the greatest challenge of her soccer career. As goalkeeper for the U.S. Women's national team, she would be squaring off against China's five best penalty kickers in a shootout to determine the winner of the 1999 Women's World Cup. The pressure was enormous--but Briana Scurry thrives on pressure, which is one reason she's been called the best goalkeeper in the world. Since 1994, she has proven again and again that when the heat's on, she'll stay cool. And that's just what she did that steamy July day.....
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On the Course with...Tiger Woods: Updated Edition
Matt Christopher
Tiger Woods is a golfing phenomenon with a mile-wide smile, a charismatic personality, and a talent that leaves other golfers gasping in astonishment. At the mere age of twenty-one, his accomplishments are already legendary. In 1997 he amazed the golfing world by winning the prestigious Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. But winning is too tame a term for what Tiger did: he absolutely annihilated the competition, breaking records for lowest score on the back nine and lowest score ever on the course as well as defeating the top golfers in the world by a remarkable twelve strokes.
Tiger's victory at Augusta was the highlight of a young career already studded with stellar achievements on courses throughout the world. In this exciting biography, Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for kids, chronicles those achievements and takes a look at Tiger's childhood and the greatest influences in his life: his father and mother.
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On the Court With...Grant Hill: Updated Edition
Matt Christopher
From his day as a quiet high school basketball star to his rookie year as a member of the NBA's Detroit Pistons, Grant Hill has been impressing fans with his amazing on-court skills. Whether charging in for a thunderous slam dunk or dodging a defender with his trademark explosive first step, he is every ounce a competitor. Elected to the All-Star team his first year in the pros and named co-Rookie of the Year, Grant Hill seems destined to become a leader in the sport of basketball. Off the court, he's determined to make a difference in the world around him as well.
In this exciting biography Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for children, goes on the court for an inside look at the triumphs and setbacks, the struggles and statistics, of superstar Grant Hill.
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On the Field With... Terrell Davis
Matt Christopher
Superstar running back Terrell Davis helped his team, the Denver Broncos, to two consecutive Super Bowl titles, first in 1998, then again in 1999. He holds multiple records, including those for postseason rushing average, consecutive 100-yard rushing games average. A unanimous Pro Bowl selection for 1999 - his third straight year of playing in that game - Davis was also named MVP and Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press for 1999.
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On the Field With... Julie Foudy
Matt Christopher
Julie Foudy knows what it's like to wear gold: She has first-place medals from the Women's World Cup 1991, the 1996 Olympic Games, and the Women's World Cup 1999. And she knows what it's like to play a grueling soccer match in front of thousands of screaming fans and to sign autographs for hours after the match is done. But that wasn't always the case, for only in recent years has women's soccer become a widely played and watched event. Julie Foudy's story is not just about great soccer games; it's about how one woman's determination helped change an obscure sport into one with millions of fans.
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On the Field with...Mia Hamm
Matt Christopher
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" sparked the University of North Carolina to win four NCAA championships and the United States national team to capture thewomen's World Cup in 1991 and 1999. Yet to the sports world in general, she was an unknown--until the fantastic final fame of the 1996 Olympics. Playing with a painful ankle injury, Hamm astounded a sellout crowd with her determination to win the gold. She is the hero of thousands of girls and has captured the attention of soccer fans world-wide. Readers will devour every detail of this insightful biography of the best women's soccer player in the world.
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On the ice with...Tara Lipinski
Matt Christopher
In February 20, 1998, fifteen-year old phenom Tara Lipinski won the Olympic gold medal in figure skating, the youngest female ever to do so. She dazzled the world with the agility of her jumps, the difficulty of her combinations, the perfection of her overall programs, and most of all, her enthusiasm. Tara's love of skating shines through her hundred-watt smile; her determination to do her best shows in her eyes before each competition. As the youngest top-ranked skater in the world, there's no telling how far that love and determination will take her.
Get a close-up look at this superstar athlete with Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for kids.
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On the Mound with...Greg Maddux
Matt Christopher
Four consecutive Cy Young Awards. The lowest earned run average in the National League three years in a row. Three-time league leader for number of games won. Without a doubt, Greg Maddux is the best pitcher in baseball today. He may not throw ninety-five-mile-an-hour fastballs, but he can hurl every pitch in the book with complete accuracy and confuse most batters into swinging where the ball isn't. Yet unlike so many superstar sports figures, Greg Maddux keeps a low profile, preferring to let his performance on the mound speak for itself.
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On the Halfpipe with... Tony Hawk
Matt Christopher
Tony Hawk is a skateboarding sensation. At the 1999 ESPN X Games, he astonished viewers by performing a 900, a trick thought impossible to do. But astonishing people was nothing new for Hawk. Since taking up skateboarding at age nine, he's almost singlehandedly revolutionized the sport. Whether dominating vert competitions, inventing new tricks, or providing a positive role model for young skaters, Hawk's sheer athleticism and dedication have helped change the way skateboarding is viewed by the general public.
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On the Court With... Kobe Bryant
Matt Christopher
Kobe Bryant may be one of the youngest basketball players in the NBA, but no one would dare call him inexperienced. The son of former NBA player Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Kobe spent his childhood watching professional basketball. From the moment he could handle a ball, he was learning to dribble and shoot. At age eighteen was given the chance to prove his stuff when he was drafted into the NBA. Fresh out of high school, Kobe showed he had the talent and the heart to make it in the pros.
Delve into the lives of these sports stars and recreate their memorable moments with exciting play-by-play action. Each book contains black-and-white photos, statistics, and a list of career highlights. Real-life sports action plus the easy-to-read Matt Christopher style equals more great entries in a series not to be missed.
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On the Field with Alex Rodriguez
Matt Christopher
The 24th title in this top-selling sports series reviews the life of a dazzling baseball player...
Alex Rodriguez is the one of the most electrifying baseball players to hit the diamond in recent years. Drafted right out of high school, he has suffered none of the adjustment problems that typically plague young players. On the contrary, he has shown the world what it means to be a superstar, not just on the field but in life. His outstanding play with the Seattle Mariners helped send that team to post-season playoff games year after year. Yet never has A-Rod let success and fame go to his head. Alex Rodriguez's commitment to the game and sportsmanship has made him respected and admired by fellow players and fans the world over. This new biography traces Alex's career from the Seattle Mariners to his latest position with the Texas Rangers.
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On the Court with...Venus and Serena Williams
Matt Christopher
The 25th title in this top-selling sports series reviews the lives of two of the best tennis stars in the country.
Venus and Serena Williams have captured the attention of the tennis crowd like no pair has in recent years. Taken alone, each is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Booming serves clocked at speeds equal and surpassing that of many male tennis players. Powerful return shots that take opponents by surprise. Speed and agility unlike any other player. Each has the skills, the determination, and the strength to make it to the very top of their sport. Yet through all the competition—even at times when they face each other on opposite sides of the net—they remain true to each other, steadfast in their sisterly love.
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On the Ice With...Mario Lemieux
Matt Christopher
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. Three years later, he signed on with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His spectacular ability to read the ice, score goals, and assist others to score turned the worst team in the league into champions. Along the way, he was faced with much adversity: separation from his home and family in Canada, the death of a beloved coach, and chronic back pain. Yet through it all he persevered, proving over and over again that he deserved the nicknames given to him by fans: Super Mario, Mario the Magnificent, and Mario the Miracle Man. His most recent achievement includes being the captain of the gold medal winning Canadian olympic team.
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At the Plate with...Ichiro
Matt Christopher
When Ichiro was three years old, his father introduced him to baseball. For seventeen years, Ichiro played the sport he loved in his home country of Japan. He became not only that country's greatest baseball player, but its biggest celebrity of all times. Then, in 2000, he left Japan to join the Seattle Mariners. Would Ichiro be able to succeed in the world's most challenging baseball league? Critics said no, that the Japanese player was too short, too skinny, too weak to make it in the majors. It was up to Ichiro to prove them wrong. He did so time and again, leading his team to its best season ever in his rookie year and collecting several awards along the way. Fans on both sides of the Pacific Ocean are looking forward to his performance in the 2002-2003 season.
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On the Bike with... Lance Armstrong
Matt Christopher
Lance Armstrong is a world champion cyclist. He won the Tour de France, the world's most challenging race, three consecutive times. He's been the World Road Cycling Champion three times and claimed a medal at the Olympics. His cycling achievements have made him an international celebrity; but that's not what makes him such an inspiration. When he was twenty-five-years old, three years before he'd won his first Tour de France, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer. How he fought back against this life-threatening disease and went on to take the cycling world by storm is a story that continues to amaze fans worldwide.
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