New Releases by Matt Christopher

The number one sports writer for kids presents a biography of Julie Foudy, who was a co-captain of the Gold Medal-winning U.S. women''s Olympic soccer team in 1996 and played on the U.S. National Team that won the Women''s World Cup in 1999. Photos.

On July 10, 1999, at the end of 90 minutes of regulation play plus two 15 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 best five penalty kickers in a shootout that would determine the winners 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 ...

The star running back of the NFL. The All-Star center leading his team to the championship. Matt Christopher delves into the life of both of these sports stars, exploring the paths they have traveled, the hardships they have overcome, and the highs and lows of their careers. Each book contains exciting black-and-white action photos, the player''s stats, and a list of his career highlights. Real-life sports action plus Matt Christopher''s easy-to-read style equals a series not be missed.

Since signing with the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997, Lisa Leslie has impressed WNBA fans with her shooting, rebounding, and blocking abilities. But her notable achievements go further back. In the 1996 Olympic Games, she scored 29 points in the gold medal victory over Brazil. Her Pac-10 record for scoring, rebounding, and blocking still holds, as does her University of Southern California record for blocks. Part-time fashion model, Lisa Leslie is a high-profile athlete young readers will enjoy learning more about.

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of watching Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals knows the sound of a hit. It''s the sound his bat makes when it connects with the ball. It''s a sound that''s been heard countless times since his 2001 rookie season. That year, he took the league by storm by posting some of the most fantastic offensive stats of any rookie ever-and he''s been doing the same ever since, shattering records and helping his team win games, including the 2006 World Series, with clutch hits and amazing home runs. This biography offers an up-close look at this superstar''s life and the most memorable moments of his outstanding career to date.

Serena and Venus Williams have captured the attention of the tennis crowd. This title contains photographs, their statistics and a list of career highlights for the sisters.

Mention the name Muhammad Ali and people the world over will know exactly who you''re talking about. The former heavyweight champion is one of the most recognized and beloved sports figures of the past century. In the ring, he made an impact with his powerful fists and lightning quick feet. Outside the ring, he earned a reputation as a good-natured, free-spoken personality who liked to make up poems about how he planned to beat his next opponent. Yet Muhammad Ali was much more than a boxer and a braggart. He emerged during the tumultuous 60s as a man with strong spiritual convictions and an unwavering belief in the importance of the Civil Rights movement. Today he continues to support charitable causes and peace efforts even as he fights a new and more daunting opponent-a debilitating syndrome that has impaired his speech and motor control. Though he can no longer ``dance like a butterfly'''' or ``sting like a bee,'''' to sports lovers everywhere, he is still ``the greatest.'''' Get to know a true legend.

Lisa Gaddy is a starting fullback for the ''Cats and she plays her position well -- except for one thing. She''s small for her age, so her throw-ins from the sidelines don''t go very far. Sometimes the ball winds up landing in front of an opponent instead of a teammate. She can''t stop taking throw-ins (though one of her teammates thinks she should), but unless she grows three inches before the season ends, there doesn''t seem to be any way she can improve. Or is there? The coach has an idea to turn Lisa''s throw-ins into the ''Cats'' secret weapon....

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" have sparked every team she''s ever played on. At the University of North Carolina, she helped the Tar Heels capture four NCAA championships. Her continually stellar performances with the United States national team led them to win two out of three Women''s World Cups, first in 1991 and again in 1999. And as a member of the 1996 gold medal-winning Olympic team, she played an outstanding final game on a sprained ankle. The holder of the world record for most goals scored in a career, she is the hero of thousands of soccer fans worldwide. Readers will devour every detail of this insightful biography of the best women''s soccer player in the world. Get an up-close look at this superstar athlete with Matt Christopher, the number one sports series for kids. For more information on the Matt Christopher Sports Bio Bookshelf, please turn to the last pages of this book.

Reviews the life of the talented slugger Mo Vaughn.

Provides a fact-filled biography of Greg Maddux, covering the baseball superstar''s life as a pitcher, his character as a player, and the special achievements of his career, such as winning four Cy Young Awards and six Gold Glove Awards.

Matt Christopher, the #1 sports writer for kids, focuses on Andre Agassi, the controversial tennis phenomenon whose image is as hard-hitting as his playing. Real-life sports action plus the author''s easy-to-read style equals a sports biography not to be missed.

Riding a bike is such a rush for Will Matthews. Soon after he joins a mountain biking club, he''s hurtling down hills, pedaling over mud-churned trails and leaping over rocks and gullies. But he may be moving so fast that he''s forgotten the friend he left behind.160 pp.

The history of basketball is chock-full of famous buzzer-beating shots, amazing game-saving plays, and thrilling maneuvers that defy gravity. All fans have their favorite memory, just as they have their favorite team and their favorite player. Now here''s a book that offers a look back at more than fifteen of the sport''s best moments. The Block, The Steal, The Shot. Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, Bird, Jordan, and James. Each entry captures the nail-biting tension of the minutes leading up to the play, as well as information about the superstar players that made them and the teams that they played for. Packed with facts and action, this is a book young basketball fans will reach for again and again -- and because it comes from Matt Christopher, young readers know they''re getting the best sports writing on the shelf.

Bus Mercer, shortstop for the Peach Street Mudders, wants desperately to be picked for the county all-star team, but he breaks his parents'' rules for riding his new bike, and feelings of guilt affect his game.

Nicky is on his way to breaking the record for most runs batted in, but first he must overcome his superstitions, and someone who doesn''t want to see the old record broken.

Barry McGee, hit-away batter for the Peach Street Mudders, enjoys winning so much that he has a tendency to bend the rules; then the dirty tactics of the pitcher on a rival team give him a new perspective on sports ethics.

There is a new player on the Peach Street Mudders, and Alfie Maples must figure out how to help him improve his game.

While trying to ask Uncle Pete to coach the Peach Street Mudders, Zero discovers that he can throw a slider when there''s a big bandage on his injured thumb.

After he gets hit by a fast-moving ball, Turtleneck Jones loses his confidence on the baseball diamond and sees his position at first base given to another player.

Mudders'' catcher Rudy Calhoun is having a bad season behind the plate until, at a yard sale, he buys a used catcher''s mask that greatly improves his playing.

Mac is the best goalie on his soccer team -- and he''s not afraid to let everyone know it. Then somebody on the school newspaper creates a new comic strip that caricatures Mac and his performance on and off the field. Mac wants to put a stop to it, but no one seems to know who the cartoonist is. He thinks it must be someone on the soccer team itself, because the strip is too tightly connected to the team for it to be an outsider. But his suspicions lead to one dead end after another. Can he discover who the artist is before the comic strip gets out of hand?

As soon as Brett Thyson steps on "The Lizard", the mysterious skateboard he unearthed in his backyard, he can feel its power. It glides smoothly and effortlessly, but Brett can''t shake off the feeling that there''s something not quite right about it.

Savannah is excited about throwing a holiday ice skating party and has already invited friends from her new school, when she learns that Jonas has invited the crowd from her old school to a party the same day.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the popular sports series, Christopher''s very first book is reissued. Marty loses his lucky baseball bat, and his confidence along with it, and wonders if he will recover both in time to help the Tigers win the championship.

Team rivalry threatens to spoil a budding friendship between a showy soccer player, Bryce, and soft-spoken but talented Renny.

Abducted by a "fan" and forced to become a member of a professional junior hockey team, thirteen-year-old star center Steve Crandall quickly realizes that he must play not only to win but to survive.

Twelve-year-old Michael, confined to a wheelchair after an accident, uses mental telepathy to communicate football plays to his quarterback twin brother Tom, then suddenly finds himself on the field in his brother''s place.

Traces the life of the young woman who entered professional tennis at age thirteen and won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics.

Savannah is excited about throwing a holiday ice skating party and has already invited friends from her new school, when she learns that Jonas has invited the crowd from her old school to a party the same day.