EPIC ATHLETES: STEPHEN CURRY
In Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry, acclaimed journalist and bestselling author Dan Wetzel tells the inspiring, electrifying story of the NBA superstar, beginning a new series of sports biographies for young readers!
Featuring comic-style illustrations by Zeke Peña!
When you think of Stephen Curry, one word comes to mind: greatness. From shooting three-pointers with laser precision to his clutch ability to hit buzzer-beaters time and again, he has established himself as one of the best players in pro basketball.
But greatness was never a guarantee for Steph. The son of a talented NBA player, he dreamed of one day playing professionally just like his dad. Yet Steph, who was always smaller and weaker than the competition, was told over and over that he would never be talented enough to be a college star or NBA player–let alone the MVP of the entire league. Through tenacity and hard work, he proved them all wrong and went on to dismantle the record books.
With the high energy of a TV commentator, and featuring dynamic comic-style illustrations, this engaging biography tells the story of an NBA All-Star and the path he took to achieve his dreams.
* “Wetzel knows how to organize the facts and tell a good story. . . an unusually informative and enjoyable sports biography for young readers.” —Booklist (starred review)
A Junior Library Guild selection!
EVERYTHING SOCCER
Score! Finally, a book that explains everything about soccer — a favorite team sport played by millions of kids around the globe. From patches of dirt to gleaming turf, soccer is a game for all. Meet soccer’s superstars. Learn the rules. Get kitted up, get out on the field, and show off your fancy footwork.
Each book in the National Geographic Kids Everything series has more than 100 pictures, an explorer’s corner with from-the-field anecdotes and tips, fun facts throughout, maps and infographics, an illustrated diagram, a photo gallery, cool comparisons, a behind-the-scenes photograph, an interactive glossary, and more.
Ready to become the ultimate footie fanatic? Take aim! It’s time to learn everything about SOCCER.
FAST COMPANY
Manny Ramos is the fastest guy on the Hudson City Youth football team—maybe even the fastest in his school—so the new track club seems perfect for him. His light weight could finally be a benefit instead of a curse! When he first sees the enormous indoor sporting complex where he’ll race some of the fastest guys around, Manny is awed. Will his time in the 800 meters be any competition for guys who’ve been racing for years? Manny is determined to put in the time and effort to be a track contender He’s finally found his sport.
FC Barcelona
For young fans of UEFA Champions League action, nothing beats a dramatic game of soccer. This series puts readers six and up into the goal-diving action, introducing some of the world’s most popular Soccer Stars through brief recaps of their rich team histories. Highlighting important players and managers—in main text and special callouts alike—and noting key periods of success and failure, each book presents action-driven photos and a rundown of Champions League titles as it examines the stellar saga of European football clubs. An elementary introduction to the Spanish soccer team FC Barcelona, including a brief history since the team’s 1899 founding, its main rival, notable players, and Champions League titles.
FINAL CUT
Four friends who share a love of basketball have to go through tryouts for the school team. But will they all make the team?
Ryan, Zeke, Eli, and Miles love sports, especially basketball. When it’s time for basketball team tryouts, they practice together, compete in a local 3-on-3 tournament, and carefully compute their chances of making the team. The tryouts are a test not only of their athletic skills, but also of their friendship. In the end, each boy learns how to cope with winning and losing (both on and off the court), the value of practice and competition, and the true meaning of friendship.
Author Fred Bowen continues his Sports Story series with full court, play-by-play action that’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats! In the sports history epilogue, readers learn about other famous players, like Michael Jordan, who didn’t make their high school basketball teams the first time around.
FOR THE LOVE OF SOCCER
FULL COURT FEVER
The Falcons have the skill but not the height required to win their games. Will they be able to win the dreaded end-of-the-season game against their much taller rivals?
The Falcons have a problem: they’ve lost the first two games of the season. Although they have skill, they lack height. When Michael Mancino comes across an old issue of Sports Illustrated, he discovers the similarly vertically challenged UCLA Bruins who won the 1964 NCAA Championship with an aggressive and hard-to-beat full-court zone press. Will the Falcons be able to make a comeback and win against the much bigger eighth-grade team?
Author Fred Bowen continues his Sports Story series with full court, play-by-play action that’s sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats! An afterword provides the real story behind the 1964 UCLA Bruins.