New Releases by Matt Christopher

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.

Depicts the life and career of the St. Louis Cardinals slugger, who holds the record for most homeruns in one season.

Newly independent readers will love this classic football story now illustrated in full color with brand new artwork! Mike's telepathic dog Harry is able to tell him what the other football team plans to do on the field, but Mike wonders--is it cheating? Can he win the game without Harry's help? Passport to Reading Level 3

Charlie Abbott is the new kid in town--again. He hates everything about moving, especially trying to make new friends. Then he meets a kid called X who shares his love of skateboarding. Together, they rip some moves at the town skatepark. But then Charlie's skateboard vanishes from his garage, and he sees X riding around on a skateboard that looks just like his! Is Charlie's new life about to become a disaster? Passport to Reading Level 3

Home run slugger Sylvester Coddmyer the Third has an amazing secret. For three seasons, he's been coached by men who look exactly like baseball legends: Babe Ruth, Eddie Cicotte, and Mickey Mantle. Are these men just impersonating famous ballplayers, as his friend Duane insists? Or are they from the "beyond," as Snooky Malone believes? The mystery deepens in this fourth title of the exciting Home Run Kid series when yet another character from baseball's past appears to coach Syl. But is Syl the only one getting pointers? And will Snooky ever get to the bottom of this mystery?

Disappointed at first by not being large enough to make quarterback, Boots discovers that there is as much challenge in playing tackle.

A young, inexperienced football team discovers that its beginner's luck is due to a series of mysterious but successful plays anonymously sent to the coach.

Sequel to The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter. When his telepathic dog Harry is grounded for nipping another dog, Mike wonders how he'll ever make it through the baseball game without his advice and encouragement.

Jimmie makes his teammates mad when he becomes captain and selects himself as pitcher of his baseball team and he does not perform well during games.

Over one million copies sold! A baseball fan learns the true meaning of success in this beloved classic that will capture the imaginations of a new generation of young readers. Sylvester loves baseball, but he isn't exactly what you'd call a good hitter. Even though he wants nothing more than to join his neighborhood team, the Hooper Redbirds, he's sure he'll never do anything more than warm the bench. But then he meets the mysterious Mr. Baruth who promises to make Sylvester one of the best players ever. Suddenly, Sylvester goes from the worst player on the team to the kid who can only hit homers. With his overnight success, however, come tough questions. Will Sylvester ever learn the true meaning of teamwork? And what will happen when he has to learn to stand on his own? This beloved story about baseball, confidence, perseverance, and being a good teammate is a modern classic and sure to win over a new generation of young sports fans.

A high school football player believes the harassment he is experiencing on and off the field is due to his father's prison record.

Only one thing keeps Jim from being the best linebacker in the team - his fear of getting tackled. But his friend Chuckie knows Jim isn't a coward. With Chuckie's special courage as an example, can Jim find the strength to face his fears head-on?

Already troubled by his parents' divorce, Bobby Canfield is further distressed when he learns that his father, who has coached him in running bases, intends to move away.

A young baseball player struggles to overcome his fear of a pitched ball, improve his throwing, and somehow redeem himself in the eyes of his teammates.

On-court hostility threatens Mel's place on the team Mel Jensen is new to the Titans basketball team, but he knows he could be a vital part of the starting lineup-if only two other players would give him a chance to show his stuff. But Caskie and Stoney seem bent on ignoring him, and Mel knows it's because he's black. Should Mel fight fire with fire, or should he try to get along, if only for the sake of the team?

Voted captain of his baseball team, Jimmie declares himself pitcher even though Paul is a better pitcher. Paul leaves for another team, and Jimmie's team starts losing. Can Jimmie regain the confidence of his friends?

Forced to referee rather than play basketball due to the after effects of polio, Rusty believes he will never play again until a new man in town organizes a team and coaches him.

Capturing the suspense and play-by-play action of nine major league plays and the personalities of the athletes that made them, a fan's treasury includes Willie May's 1954 World Series catch and Jim Abbott's no-hitter.

Peter runs away from his foster home ... and right into danger Peter is a genius with dirt bikes. He can take them apart, fix them up, and race them like a champ. But his skill with a bike can take him only so far - and when he runs away from his foster home, he realizes he's in way over his head. He gets mixed up with two dangerous strangers and soon finds himself neck and neck with trouble on and off the racetrack.

Twelve-year-old Brent Mullen discovers that the new assistant hockey coach is teaching the defensemen on his team illegal moves to help them win at any cost.

Theo Gordimer is a classic 13-year-old couch potato: he prefers video games and TV shows to playing sports. Then his favorite aunt is diagnosed with cancer. Theo wants to do something to help her, but what? Then his friend Paul tells him about a 5K road race coming up. The money collected from the race goes toward cancer research. Theo panics: running the race seems like the perfect way to help out his aunt, but 5K is more than three miles! Theo can barely run a quarter of one mile without having to stop. How will he be able to finish the race?

Jabber Morris has his heart set on playing soccer, but his family is pressuring him to play football. Tension at home builds when Jabber's brother suspects him of stealing. Now he has to tell his uncle that he's decided to play soccer - and convince his brother that he's not a thief. One of the all-time best-selling titles from Matt Christopher!

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?

Tina Esparza loves soccer, especially that it's a team sport where no one player is in the spotlight. Imagine her surprise when the coach asks her to train as the team's goalkeeper. Will Tina be able to overcome her shyness and accept a position that puts her in the center of attention?

Twelve-year-old Traci Winchell is a gifted gymnast, but lately she's been having trouble -- so much trouble that her coach warns her she may need to drop out or else risk serious injury. Traci wants to find something to fill the void left by gymnastics, but is diving for her?

When he inherits a racing car, sixteen-year-old Ken determines to become a drag racer.

The twins toy hockey game seems to be magic as it plays games identical to the real ones before they even happen.

Sylvester Coddmyer III, star of "The Kid Who Only Hit Homers" and "Return of the Home Run Kid" is about to face his biggest challenge yet. He sprains his ankle and wonders how he will hit homers--or even singles--when every swing means pain.

TOUCHDOWN FOR TOMMY Is football Tommy's key to a new home? Football isn't just Tommy's favorite sport-he also thinks that it's the key to a good home. The recently orphaned Tommy is delighted to discover that his foster father, Mr. Powell, coaches Midget League football. By playing well, Tommy hopes that he will make Mr. Powell want to adopt him, and then he will have a real family again. But will things work out the way he plans!

LOOK WHO'S PLAYING FIRST BASE Will Mike stand up to his teammates to defend his friend? When the Checkmates need a new first baseman, Mike Hagin's new friend, Yuri, seems like a logical choice. But when Yuri starts flubbing plays and the team's star player threatens to quit as a result, Mike is not sure Yuri is such a good choice after all-for a teammate or for a friend. It appears as if Mike will have to choose between his friendship with Yuri and his loyalty to the team-or is there another solution?