New Releases by Joe Layden

Who can ever forget the soccer fever that swept the country as Mia Hamm and her teammates won the dramatic Women''s World Cup final in front of a crowd of 90,000 at the Rose Bowl? The drama builds once again with the approach of the Olympics in Sydney. Children can learn all about the stars of the game and their stats in this book, full of color photos.

Meet Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers'' young basketball prodigy and the heir apparent to the great Michael Jordan himself. Here, for the first time, is the whole story of this incredible athlete--how he became the great person and incredible gifted, driven player he is today. Follow Kobe''s life from growing up as the son of an NBA player through his decision to turn pro at 17, his rookie season, the All-Star Game, and his amazing second year in the pros. A must for every fan, Kobe includes eight pages of color photos, personal stats, and the rising star''s career records.

Profiles the lives of eight NBA players, including Reggie Miller and Jayson Williams, who have overcome great obstacles in their climb to the top.

Profiles the Los Angeles Lakers, celebrating the role of superstar Shaquille O''Neal and providing profiles of players present and past, a team history, and statistics

Examines the 1994-95 baseball strike within the context of the history of the game, its past labor problems, and its future as the great American pastime.