New Releases by Matt Christopher

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

Newly independent readers will love this classic baseball story, now illustrated in full color! Mike has a special relationship with his dog, Harry. They can read each other''s minds! Harry is able to help Mike out with tips about the opposing players on the baseball field, but Mike''s having trouble with his pitches--and the buddies need to work together to save the game! Passport to Reading Level 3

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.

The exciting sequel to Slam Dunk! Julian Pryce was once the star center of the Tornadoes. But when he joins a new team after his family moves, he suddenly finds himself the star benchwarmer. It turns out the Warriors already have a starting center, Paul Boyd, who has no intention of sharing the court with Julian. The coach is no help, either, for one simple reason: Paul is his son! Now Julian may have to take drastic measures if he''s going to get back into the game. . . but is he to blame when Paul winds up in the hospital?

Rusty Young wants to play basketball in the summer league, but his parents object because Rusty has been diagnosed with diabetes. That is only one of the obstacles Rusty has to overcome before he can join the team.

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.

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

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.

A boy and his psychic dog are able to steal plays from the opposing football team.

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.

The Kid Who Only Hit Homers has sold over one million copies and is now a film on Amazon Prime! 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.

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?

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?

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

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

Chico Romez is new to the Royals baseball team, but all the players welcome him and his ability in the outfield. All but one, that its. String Becker seems to have it in for Chico. What will it take for Chico to prove himself to String?

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

Mark Conway is staying with his grandparents while his parents fight over whom he''ll live with after they divorce. He''s become a valued member of the school soccer team and seems to be coping with the changes in his life. Or is he?

A collection of wacky jokes, riddles, puns, and anecdotes about America''s favorite pastime is gathered by a favorite young sports fiction writer and is guaranteed to liven up locker rooms and baseball diamonds alike.

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.

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!

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?

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?

Mike and his dog Harry, the Airedale with ESP, are shocked to discover that the new umpire for Mike''s baseball games can hear their mental conversations.

Eleven-year-old Garry, embarrassed when his unathletic brother joins his lacrosse team, faces a bigger problem when the team bully turns on both of them.

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.