Book Description

Sixteen-year-old "Slam" Harris is counting on his noteworthy basketball talents to get him out of the inner city and give him a chance to succeed in life, but his coach sees things differently. ... Read more

Reviews (109)

A Slam Dunk Book
Greg Harris, known as Slam is an outstanding seventeen year old basketball player from Harlem. He attends Latimer Arts Magnet High School. Slam's grades are slipping fast, but his basketball skills are what keeps him motivated. His grades are bad enough that Mr. Tate, the principal has a meeting with Slam and his mom about getting a tutor to help bring up his math grades. Slam wants no part of having a tutor.
The book introduces you to Slam's family. They live in an apartment building located in Harlem. Harlem is a poor area to live in. Slam is used to seeing drug dealers and people spaced out on drugs on the streets. It's nothing for Slam to see people sleeping or passed out on the stairwells of the old run down buildings of Harlem. Slam lives with his mom whom he calls moms. She is a caring and loving person. He also lives with his dad who he calls pops. His dad is out of work and is an alcoholic. Derek is Slam's nine year old brother. Slam's grandmother is sick in the hospital. This is hard on Slam's mom. His mom is afraid Slam's grandmother is going to die.
Slam decides to join the school basketball team. Latimer is coming off of their fifth losing season. Slam is surprised only twelve people show up for the tryouts. Coach Nipper and Slam have a disagreement during tryouts. This puts a strain on their relationship right away.
Benny Reese known as Ice is Slam's best friend. Ice attends Carver High School, where he is a star basketball player. Mtisha is Slam's girlfriend. She thinks Ice is dealing drugs because of his sudden increase of money. Mtisha wants Slam to find out if her suppositions are true. Slam doesn't want to believe that Ice is dealing drugs.
Slam knows from seeing other people dealing drugs on the streets that it's an easy way to make cash. He also knows dealing with drugs will put an end to any hopes and dreams for a promising future. Slam dreams of becoming a player in the NBA. He thinks about marrying Mtisha and having a family.
Slam shows some interest in school when he and a girl named Margerie are assigned to do a project together. They are to make a movie of Slam's neighborhood. The film will show what goes on in the life of Greg "Slam" Harris. Slam seems like a real natural with a camera. Even Slam's brother gets into the project.
As you read the book you realize that Slam's bad grades are no his only problem. Slam's major obstacle is his attitude. After a confrontation with Mr. Parrish during class Slam comes close to hitting the teacher. Mr. Goldstein, the assistant coach has a heart to heart talk with Slam, telling Slam he needs to change his attitude toward life. Slam changes his attitude for the better. He finds out that he is not a failure if he excepts help from others.

I thought "Slam" was an excellent book. The story goes into such great detail, that I could put myself in the book. I felt like I was in the crowd watching Slam play basketball. This book introduced me to a teenager's life in Harlem. It made me stop and think how lucky I am not to have the added pressures of the inner city life. Slam was an inspiration to me. He doesn't give into the pressure around him even though he is pushed very hard. My favorite part of the book is when Slam realizes his attitude is his biggest enemy. He started to improve himself as a person. I recommend "Slam" to anyone over the age of 12.

Slam!
First of all i think that Walter Dean Myers is a great Author and when i started reading Slam, i thought to myself is this book only going to be about basketball? Then i started really getting into the book when Slam started talking about how much he loves basketball, but how low his grades are. Now days that is the problem with young teenagers, they tend to have problems with bringing their grades up but they have the skills to play sports. If you are that kind of person who really likes reading about drama, then you would like this book so much that it would be hard to put it down. This book will also make you think things more differently. Let's talk about the main character Slam... he has a very strong attitude problem that is the way everyone else sees it, but he knows how to keep it real and chill, but he also has some problems with keeping up with his grades and he thinks he just had enough with the books, but he doesn't give up. Overall, I rated this book the highest because I loved it.

You got slammed on!
Slam is the best book about basketball i have ever read. his basketball skills are just like mine. People underestimate my Skillz but when i get on the court they are put on hushmouf. me and slam have a lot in common.

Be Like Slam & Never Give Up!
"Impossible is nothing!" What a great statement! You can do just about anything in life if you put your mind to it. Through an adventurous world of Slam, he once decided he would give up something he really loved and was good at.

A 17-year-old boy named Greg Harris better known, as "Slam" is a very talented and athletic individual. He lives with his mom, dad, and a younger annoying brother named Derek. He calls his mother mom and his dad pops. He has his dream set on playing in the NBA and marrying his college-bound girlfriend Mtisha. Slam lives somewhat of a rough life, he lives his life making many changes and one of the greatest changes is, changing schools. He moves from Carver to Latimer Arts High School. He has to leave behind all his friends and a team that he once was devoted to. At his new school he has to face many challenges, there he makes new friends and new enemies. He becomes apart of the basketball team at Latimer, it is hard for Slam to really become apart of the team because Slam has a bad attitude and doesn't know how to control his temper. Slam really contributes to his team by helping them win lot of games. His best friend from Carver, Benny Resse, also known as Ice, is also a skilled one on the basketball court. It turns out; Ice and Slam go head to head to win the championship. Ice gets caught up with the wrong crowd andbegins to head in the wrong direction. By Ice going in the wrong direction it really separates the friendship between Slam and Ice.

Through all the battles and conflicts that Slam faced, he still managed to get by and successfully gets what he wanted. Slam never gave up and continued to try hard. Even though the conflicts sometimes pulled him down, he got right back up and continued his journey through life.

By not giving up hope and not giving up you will successfully reach your goal. You may face some obstacles but if you keep trying, then impossible is nothing when you want to reach your goal.

This book is a great read for anyone . "SLAM"teaches the reader to their best and never give up. This book is thriller and adventurous, I recommend this book to anyone, especially sports fanatics.

Slam right in your face
In the book Slam, a 17 year old kid named Greg Harris, known as Slam loved to play basketball. On the court he could do it all. When he had the ball no one could take his game. But he was wrong.
He had to switch schools from Carver to Latimer Arts High School. He made some friends and some enemies. His grades and attitude were not getting him anywhere.
He calls his mother moms and his dad pops. At the beginning I was confused cause I thought he had two moms and two dads. Slam had a friend at Carver named Ice. He finds out his grandma is sick in the hospital and might not make it. Later on in the book she gets better.
He cheats on his girlfriend Mtisha by making out with her best friend. They made up and everything is okay. He finds out that he has to play against his best friend and compete in a game. Slam wins but gets in a fight with him. He gets a 34 on his math test and knows he has to get his grades up or he will not play basketball. He thinks his man Ice is dealing with drugs cause he is been getting lots of money from somewhere.
Slam's math teacher Mr. Parrish starts dissing him right there in class and when he is about to throw a punch his teacher runs to the principal's office. Slam goes the other way and leaves to go to a little restaurant. Mr. Goldstein his assistant coach follows him. Goldy talks to him about his problems and later in the book his attitude goes down a little bit. Slam and this one girl had to make a video tape about anything. So Slam made a tape about everything he saw that week, environment, neibors and friends.
Latimer High School is in the championship game against Carver for their first time in 5 years. This is because of Slam's abilities.
When I read the beginning of the book I did not think I would like it as much as I did after reading it. I would recommend this book to any one who enjoys playing basketball and has an attitude problem.
... Read more

Amazon.com

The loveable, disaster-prone hero of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key isback, this time in charge of his attention deficit disorder and ready to greetthe world as a normal kid--with the help of his new and improved meds, ofcourse. Now that Joey has a handle on his actions, he feels prepared to face themost mysterious member of his family--his estranged father, Carter Pigza. Heconvinces his skeptical mom to let him spend part of his summer vacation gettingto know his dad again. The only problem is that Joey's dad is just as wired asJoey used to be: "I looked over at his mouth, which never seemed to close--noteven the lips touched together--and it made me dizzy to listen to him." Carterbelieves that Joey can kick his ADD the way he himself kicked alcoholism--coldturkey. But when Carter flushes his meds, Joey has to decide if being friendswith his dad is worth losing his hard-won self-control. "That old Joey wascoming to get me and I couldn't do anything about it... I closed my eyes andtold myself to sleep while I could."

Jack Gantos's second book about Joey Pigza is just as delightful and soulful ashis first. Joey's attempts to keep the fragile peace in his life intact aretouching, and his intense longing to just be normal will mirror the feelings ofmost preteens, whether they have ADD or not. Joey Pigza may sometimes losecontrol, but he never loses his heart. This is an exceptional sequel. (Ages 10and older) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Summer Reading
Joey's dad convinces Joey's mom to let Joey stay with him for the summer. Things go haywire when Joey's dad gets rid of his medicine. This causes many problems. So, will he get his medicine back?

JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTEL is a great book for a
Gross and funny laugh.

Think about reading it.
Joey Pigza is a kid who is on medicine for his hyperactivity. He meets his dad.His dad doesn't like the fact that he is on meds for his hyperactivity, so he flushes his meds down the toilet. After that day, Joey starts to lose control. Will Joey ever get back on his meds? Read this book to find out. This book is for anyone who wants a good laugh and loves a crazy story. It is a great story; I would read it over and over again.

Six Star Review
The good news, Joey's got 6 weeks with his dad.
The bad news, He's a Maniac!

Yes, Pigza's in for a bumpy ride down crazy town.He's playing hooky, turning himself into the abominable snowman and other crazy things.Can Joey ever pull himself together long enough to escape a madman of his father?

Prepare to bust a gut laughing cause this book is 101%gauranteed to have your family laugh so hard, they'll barf.

The Best Book Ever
Joey Pigza Loses Control
Joey Pigza is not so normal, but when he goes and lives with his dad we find out that Joeys' dad (Carter) isn't normal either. After Carter flushes Joeys' patches down the toilet, Joey does many strange things, from eating 1,000,000 jelly packets to trying to get back to his mom in his dad's car. After a while,Joey figures out that he needs his patches. What do you think will happen? Will he get his medicine or will he loses control?


Joey Pigza Loses Control is a funny book to read, but it teaches you that adults aren't always right about things.

Joey Pigza Loses Control


I kind of liked the story because, it sounded interesting. I wanted to find out if Joey's visit was worth it. I also think that Jack Gantos is a good author.

This book is about a boy named Joey who goes to visit his dad for the first time. His mom always said bad things about Carter, Joey's dad, but Joey was determined to find out the truth and prove she was wrong. So can they forget about the past or will it always be there? Joey has a problem, he can't sit still, and sometimes he can get a little carried away or, he just loses it all together. Carter's problem is he doesn't know how to treat his son and he drinks a lot of alcohol. They both take medicine patches to keep themselves in control but when Joey's dad takes the patches away, do you think the visit will still be the same so-so summer together or will it be a memory to last a lifetime...

In my opinion, I think that kids with similar disorder like A.D.D can relate to Joey and understand things from his point of view. This book is also kind of funny, so it can be fun just to read for school or in your spare time.
... Read more

Book Description

Are you among the millions of kids who live to play soccer?If you are, you'll love The Everything Kids' Soccer Book!Inside this exciting book, you'll find out how to excel at this hugely popular sport, with professional instruction on:
The complete rules of the game
Techniques for dribbling, trapping, and heading the ball
The arts of defense and goaltending
Winning techniques and drills
Tips on how to maintain possession of the ball

Soccer player and coach Deborah W. Crisfield gives you lots of advice on stretching, endurance building, and strength training.Along the way, she includes some amazing facts on the World Cup and American soccer stars, such as Landon Donovan and Mia Hamm, and offers dozens of puzzles and games.The Everything Kids' Soccer Book is definitely a GOAL! ... Read more

Book Description

Joe Stoshack lives for baseball. He knows everything there is to know about the game -- except how to play well. His specialty is striking out. Stosh feels like a real loser, and when he takes a low-paying job cleaning a bunch of junk out of his neighbor's attic, he feels even worse -- until he comes across a little piece of cardboard that takes his breath away. His heart is racing. His brain is racing. He can hardly believe his eyes. Stosh has stumbled upon a T-206 Honus Wagner -- the most valuable baseball card in the world! And he's about to find out that it's worth a lot more than money....

Reviews (27)

Home Run!!!!!
The book that I read was really good. it is called Honus and Me by Dan Gutman. If you like baseball,then I think you would like this book. It is about a kid names Stosh who plays baseball, he's also a big baseball card collector. One day, he finds a Honus Wagner card! (these are very rare) Stosh isn't rich but he wouldn't call himself poor. His parents split up when he was younger and his mom doesn't make that much money. The card that he was holding was worth half a million dollars! Stosh goes to bed that night and wishes that he could go back in time and meet Honus himself. He feels a tingling sensation in the tips of his fingers just before he falls asleep. It turns out that he has the ability to go back in time! This adventure continues throughout the book as Stosh and Honus play in the world series and sign autograpghs. This action packed adventure is really good and everyone should read it. Even if you don't like baseball, you should also read other books by Dan Gutman.

Cool Book!
When a boy finds a VERY RARE baseball card in someone's attic, he is faced with the decision whether to return it or not. There are only 40 of these cards in the world! With this card he is able to meet the baseball star Honus Wagner. He goes back in time and finds himself an adult, bats for Honus Wagner because Honus's hand was hurt, and actually hits a home run! I am no baseball fan, but I have read ALL of Dan's books about baseball and loved them, and this was probably my favorite. P.S. This has a surprising ending, which is really cool, but I'll let you find out about that for yourself!

A sports lovers adventure
A Sports Lovers Fantasy!!!!!
Honus and Me by
Dan Gutman

This is a book about a kid who loves sports.In this book he finds thathe has a magical he can go back in time and visit famous baseball players from that time.
A exciting part in this book is when Hounus is playing in the world series.((As honus trooted in from his shortstop position at the end of the inning, he looked straight at me and patted his right shoulderwith his left hand.)) (( The signal.)) You will have to read the book to see what is going to happen.
I think probally a boy who likes sports books would like this story.This book has fantasy,history, and many other subjects.It is a great mystery and pepole who like old baseball history would ike this book to.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5. It is a short bookso if you need to do a book project it is very easy to read and a very fun book to read.This is my favorite book of all time and I would recomnd this book.

we love dan gutman's baseball card adventure books!
my 7 1/2 year old son (he's an above-grade reader) has read all five, and loved all of, dan gutman's baseball card books. i had the privilege of listening to one on tape -- this one, honus & me. it is well-told with great morality lessons and interesting historical information. Dan Gutman is the perfect author for baseball loving little boys. We both cant wait for his next.

GREAT BOOK FOR SPORTS FANS BY:KELSEY K
Honus and Me is a great book. It's about this little boy named Joe. He loves to collect baseball cards. One day he bought a pack of cards and found a one-of-a-kind Honus Wagner card, What he didn't know was that the card had a special power, ( You need to read the book to find out)

My favorite character was Joe. He was a good kid who loved baseball. I like him a lot because I am a big sports fan also.

My favorite part of the book was when Joe played in the major league game. He got to experience something that no other kid has done before.

I would encourage SPORTS FANS to read this book. Even if you aren't a big sports fan I still think you would really enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Produced in association with the NBA, this fun book teaches basic basketball vocabulary as well as strengthening counting and comprehension skills in an exciting, visually witty format. Children will love learning with their basketball heroes. ... Read more

Book Description

One hot summer day, George and the man with the yellow hat go to the beach. What fun George has at the beach! What fun he has feeding the seagulls! It's fun, that is, until they fly away with something valuable and George must find a clever way to save the day. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

george is wonderful
George is good to read after an exasperating day with your toddler or preschooler. It reminds you that it could be worse, you could REALLY have a monkey to care for, and your monkeys don't really mean to get into mischief, they are just very very curiouus.

Just as good as the original stories
To date my daughter has been reading the "Curious George" books that belonged to my husband when he was a child. I was a little skeptical that the newly written stories would capture the same spirit as those written more than 30 years ago. However, my daughter absolutely loved it especially as both the storyline and the illustrations were more detailed than usual and made it fun for her to point out different things and extend into a discussion with us about beaches, lifesaving etc. Like her other "George" books she has reread this one over and over. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the moving story of how Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a major league baseball team and how on a fateful day in Cincinnati, PeeWee Reese took a stand and declared Jackie his teammate.
... Read more

Reviews (6)

the hardship in baseball
Teammates

Teammates is about 2 men named
Pees wee Reese and Jackie Robinson. Both of them were baseball players on the same
Team called the dogers. Pee wee
Reese was white and Jackie rob-
Inson was black. They were both
Friends and helped each other out. The players on their team
Came mostly from the south, men
Had been taught to avoid black
People since childhood. They moved to another table
Whenever Jackie sat down next
To them. Many opposing players
Were cruel to Jackie, calling him mean names from their
Dugouts. A few tried to hurt
Him with their spiked shoes.
It was bad for Jackie. Pitchers
Aimed for his head, and he
Received threats on his life,
Both from individuals and from
Oramizations like the Ku Klux
Klan. Jackie avoided all of it,
And made the team. Jackie and
Pee wee became really great
Friends and baseball legends.

Awesome!
This book teaches you alot about how blacks were treated back in the day. When Jackie Robinsion was signed to the Dodgers the fans and players treated him really badly. People threw stuff at him. Then a young teammate stood up for him and saved him from being ban from the team. So you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

classic
A simple telling of how Jackie Robinson came to play in the major leagues, this book portrays the prejudice he faced in a basic way that children can understand. And it shines a bright light on a quiet moment: PeeWee Reese's brave public declaration of solidarity with his teammate. This book has been my son's favorite for the past two years, since he was five.

Brooklyn Dodger Teammates: Jackie Robinson & Pee Wee Reese
"Teammates" tells the story of one of the more moving moments in the history of baseball that occurred during the 1947 season when the Brooklyn Dodgers traveled to Crosley Field in Cincinnati to play the Reds. Jackie Robinson, the first black man to play in the major leagues, was playing first base and being the target of hostility and abuse from the fans. At shortstop was Harold "Pee Wee" Reese, who born in the South, but who had refused to join other Southerners on the team in signing a petition to kick Jackie off the team. That day in Cincinnati, Reese did something that remains one of the bright moments of that historic season and which deserves to be more than a minor footnote in baseball history.

"Teammates" is written by Peter Golenbock, who heard the story of what happened that day from Rex Barney, who pitched for the Dodgers that day. Usually when the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the "color line" in baseball, the other key person in the story is Branch Rickey, the Dodger general manager. But Rickey could only support Robinson from the front office and not on the field, where it was Pee Wee Reese who decided to do something about that. Consequently, it is Reese who emerges as the hero of this particular story. Certainly it is safe to assume that anyone who reads this book knows something about Jackie Robinson; Golenbock talks about how Rickey needed somebody special to be the first, but does not get into the reasons why Robinson was that man (e.g., All-American football star at U.C.L.A., Army officer). But clearly "Teammates" is not intended to be the first book a youngster reads about the story of Jackie Robinson. Paul Bacon, as he did for the exquisite "Susanna of the Alamo," does both the design and illustration for this volume, combining historic photographs and items with his own watercolor paintings to tell the story.

A few brave men
This book is a true story that vividly describes the era of baseball and the scoial climate of race relations in the early 1940's. The Brooklyn Dodgers were the first Major Leauge Baseball team to hire an African American. Branch Rickey of the Dodgers was looking for "a man strong enough not to fight back". Jackie Robinson was of course that man and it was known as the "Great Experiment". It was tough for Jackie who ws not well recieived by many whites, including his teammates. One teammate was different, he knew he should always do what is right even if everyone around him including family or friends felt differently, that man was Pewee Reese. This book looks at how racism affected many aspects of society and how the strength of one indidual can change many attitudes. There is a variety of mediums used for the illustrations that only enhance the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Phillip comes from a circus family, but all he really wants is tobe a regular kid. After persuading his parents to let him move in with his aunt anduncle, he winds up in Hardingtown, where everyone is wild about dodgeball. Whenhe gets slammed in the face with a speeding ball in gym class, he decides totake the dodgeball bully to court. But can a circus boy take on the UnofficialDodgeball Capital of the World?

This uproariously funny middle-grade novel carries an inspiring message aboutsticking to your beliefs, however unpopular they may be. ... Read more

Book Description

"Z is for Zamboni" is an alphabet book for hockey fans young and old across America.Matt Napier's "breakaway" rhymes and "hard-checking" expository text team up with the "top-shelf" illustrations of Melanie Rose to elucidate this increasingly popular game for every beginning hockey aficionado.Highlighting rules, players, coaches, teams, and the history of the game, it is both fun and educational. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not just a children's book
This is a must for any hockey fan with children. Not only is it a traditional ABC's book, it also teaches about the history of hockey and helps people of all ages get a better appreciation for the game.

Z for Zamboni receives and A+ from us!
My 4 year old "hockey-nut" son absolutely adores this book. It makes bedtime easier because he knows we get to read this book. As a first grade teacher, I applaude the way that the authors have also made this a "teaching" book. My son is now recognizing the alphabet as we read the book. I plan on buying several more and giving it as a gift! A++++++

Hockey Book is Full of Hockey
I was absolutely first-line, rookie-of-the-year impressed by "Z is for Zamboni." I don't think there could have been much more crease-crashing, glove-wearing, hockey-spelling hockey in this book. Everyone I've shown it to has been impressed both by the amount of hockey in the book, and also by the fact that all 26 some-odd letters have a rhyme specifically written for them, relating to the "old stick and puck." I would recommend this book to anyone interested in hockey, or the alphabet.

GREAT STUFF!!!
I recently bought this book for my niece. She just loves the illustrations, and likes to read along. I think she almost has it memorized!!! A great gift for any child.

Great Book!
This book is great--with lots of info for all ages. My 2 year-old just received it as a gift and loves it. My husband and I are just as interested as he is! ... Read more

Book Description

The inspirational true story of Sammy Lee, a Korean American who overcame discrimination to realize both his father's desire that he become a doctor and his own dream of becoming an Olympic champion diver. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

follow your dreams
This is a biography of Sammy Lee.He was an Olympic gold metalist.Sammy faced lots of prejudice in his life because he was Korean.He was only allowed in public pools on ceratain days.He never let this get him down this make him want to work harder.Before reading this book I had never heard of Sammy Lee.I enjoyed reading his biography.Sammy Lee never gave up on his dreams.He always tried his best.He is a great role model for kids today. ... Read more

Book Description

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the first publication of Skinnybones, bestselling author Barbara Park has updated the text of this award-winning novel and made it even more hilarious. A whole new generation of kids will meet Alex "Skinnybones" Frankovich, the smallest player on his baseball team, who is famous for his big mouth. Alex knows he's gone too far when he brags his way into a battle of skills with T.J. Stoner, a cocky Little League legend with a perfect hitting record. Can blabbermouth Alex talk his way out of this mess? ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Hilarious and poignant
The first time I read this book I literally fell out of bed from laughing so hard. As a teacher, I read this book to my class nearly every year, and they love it! Alex is an endearing underdog who tries so hard to be what he is not: a size Large, knowledgeable baseball player. When he hears that a player is going to bunt he hasn't a clue what bunting means. He guesses it might mean to throw up, and this leads into the funniest scene I've ever read in children's literature. Every time I have to read it aloud I hardly can get through; I'm laughing so hard all my mascara runs. My class always gets an incredibly healthy, side-splitting, laugh from Alex's antics. He's also a very real character, with an inferiority complex, and a quirky way of viewing the world. He does find his strength in the end: comedy writing. This leads him into the sequel, Almost Starring Skinnybones, where his inferiorty complex turns into boasting bravado. One of the great qualitities of these books is Alex's depth of character, a real study in what can make "class clowns". I think the kids gain some understanding into the possiblity of sadness beneath the hilarity and the attention-seeking.

I loved it!
This book was great! Everybody should read this book. My teacher read it to me in third grade. The whole class always laughed and always wanted the teacher to read more. The book is about a boy named Alex. He always lies, is a terrible baseball player, and always gets himself into terrible messes. Then, there is the jerk, T.J. who is a great baseball player. Everybody thinks he is all that and he is always picking on Alex about his size and what a bad baseball player he is. Read this book! I would reccomend it to anyone!

Hilarious Middle-grade Novel
My love of Barbara Park began with her Junie B. Jones books. Although I've read several of her middle-grade novels this is the one I like as well as her early chapter books. I laughed out loud and loved this story's twists and turns.

Funny Bones
Alex "Skinnybones" Frankovitch is a memerable character from one of my favorite books as a young adult. Barbra Park delivers a story about a young boy who feels out of place and uses humor as a defense. This book still makes me laugh out loud, and I think children of all ages can relate to Alex because he is the underdog that always see to get himself into some kind of trouble. I am studying to be an elementary teacher and I planning on reading this book to my class because I know I will enjoy it as much as they will!

Funny as ever, but why the updates?
This book was one of my favorites when I was a kid (I'm 24 now) Skinnybones had, and still has, the ability to keep you giggling not only while you are reading it, but even after you've put it down. The only problem I had with this version was the disappointing decision by Barbara Park to "update" the references to ballplayers and the vernacular. To new readers of this book, this complaint doesn't matter, but to nostalgic readers like myself the differences detract enough from the book to be noticable ... Read more

Book Description

A BookSense 76 pick, and best-seller from coast to coast-Summerland is part fantasy, part adventure, part baseball, but most of all it's the story of a young boy, Ethan Feld-a lousy, but lovable little-leaguer who finds himself playing in the most important baseball game ever. Not only the game, but the fate of the world rests on his shoulders. ... Read more

Reviews (96)

More Magic by Michael
It was always apparent that Michael Chabon had a fantasy novel in him. From the vivid imagery of the Cloud Factory in "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" through the fact/fiction world of Kavalier and Clay, Chabon's ability to create worlds with words has been unparralled in so called "modern fiction". What's suprising is the ease with which he leaps from serious writing to whimsical storytelling, without missing a beat.
"Summerland" was rumored to be a book for youths, but the crisp language and artful plotline are hallmark Chabon. Set in parallel worlds of Little League baseball, the story speaks to the kid in all of us that doesn't have all the talent, but finds in the end that faith can put tickmarks on the scorecard. Ethan Feld, the hero of "Summerland" is clearly a younger version of Art from "Mysteries", playing a part he feels wholly unsuited for, yet Chabon doesn't allow him to fail. One of my favorite things about Chabon's writing is his method of creating this type of character, and then nurturing him through rough waters. The other role players in this story include a legendary baseball bat ("Splinter"), ferishers, a werefox (a play on Chabon's Werewolves in Their youth?)and other fantasy sorts that are richly drawn and highly stylized. Ethan's friend, Jennifer T. Rideout is also a great character, with a knowledge of baseball lore that accompanies a golden throwing arm, and she is probably Chabon's best female creation to date (sorry Phlox), owing to her youth and love of baseball.
By the time you reach the "Home" section of this 500 page novel, you are reminded why, if you are a fan of his, you love Chabon's writing. His stories always close neatly, and leave you wondering just what happens to his cast on page 501. He's truly one of our greatest writers, and "Summerland" is a worthy successor to his achievements to date.

Clever, Imaginative Story Telling
I would have given it five stars if I loved baseball or if this book gave me a love of baseball but I do appreciate the author's, Michael Chabon, intense and passionate love of the game. A book for kids is the perfect follow-up to the wonderful Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay and it shows the author's gift for narrative to be as strong as ever and the story moves swiftly and breathlessly. The imaginary worlds he creates in Summerland come as more of a surprise, as they are both fresh and familiar as the same time. It may lack the sense of wonder of the Harry Potters or the complexities of His Dark Materials but it touches elements of both and brings in a little Americanism (reminiscent of Baum) along with it. He has turned the national sport into the stuff of myths and legends and turned the stuff of myths and legends into daily life. It is both a rollicking adventure story and a sweet meditation on story telling with (its only drawback to this non-fan) a lot of baseball. It is truly a modern American fairy tale.

Not recommended
Good fantasy/childrens' authors (Rowling, Tolkien, L'Engle, Ende, Lewis, etc.) twist or bend reality to reveal new worlds. In contrast, Chabon uses a blunt force trauma approach.

For example, there is a special creature (Cutbelly) who can travel from "Summerland" to "Winterland" and other worlds. Cutbelly can take the protagonist (Ethan) with him. Cutbelly dies or gets injured (reader can't tell) and Ethan simply picks up a really smart/nerdy grade school classmate to perform the complex task of navigating between worlds/dimensions. No explanation given as to how this seemingly normal gradeschool child without magical abilities can do this.

Characters, save one or two, did little to endear themselves to the reader.

The Ultimate Fatal Flaw: Chabon rather randomly creates characters, plot points, situations and worlds without adequate grounding, explanation, or motivation.

Unfortunately, I rarely read fiction (almost always reading work-related nonfiction) --- so this book was to be my "Summer" treat.

Avoid the dissapointment.

Summerland - makes me feel fine.
When you think of fantasy books in which characters band together to go on a mysterious quest, you think of one place. Britain. Most quest stories for children either are written by Brits or take place (as in the case of Lloyd Alexander's "Prydain Chronicles") in a European setting. Honestly, the most notable exception to this rule is also the oldest. "The Wizard of Oz" is a proudly American tale, beginning in Kansas and continuing in a land that has a particularly Yankee feel to it. So it should come as no surprise that the man to follow in the late great L. Frank Baum's shoes should be none other than Michael Chabon. An author mostly associated with books for adults, he has tried his hand at penning the ultimate American children's fantasy. And to his credit, he nearly succeeds.

"Summerland" begins on Clam Island where our hero, Ethan Feld, lives with his inventor father. The two are relative newcomers to the isle, but they participate whole-heartedly in the local youth baseball team. Ethan, unfortunately, is a horrendous player. He dislikes the sport and is perfectly aware that he is the reason the team has lost its last seven games. On one particular day, however, Ethan finds himself scouted by a local group of fairies or, as they prefer to be called, ferishers. The ferishers are looking for a hero, and their hero scout has come up with Ethan. Suddenly the boy that couldn't hit a baseball to save his life finds himself in charge of saving the universe in a world that couldn't possibly be any more different from his own.

First of all, I should state that if you do not like baseball in the least, do not read this book. "Summerland" hinges on the idea that in the Summerlands (a world like and unlike our own to which Ethan travels) baseball is a sport that absolutely everyone plays. Entire civilizations have been destroyed by the designated-hitter rule. Giants are capable of throwing thunder and lightening itself. And in the end, existence itself is decided after nine straight innings. The crazy crew of characters Ethan teams up with become his own private baseball team, and Ethan himself learns how to swing a mighty, if painful, bat.

I enjoyed all the particularly American aspects of this tale. The ferishers do not look like magical leprechauns or British elves. Instead, they bear some resemblance to Native Americans and they play a mean game of ball. Our heroes come across the ultimate trickster god/villain Coyote, and it is his plans that need to be changed for the world to keep on going. They meet up with a group called the Big Liars, a motley assortment of some of the best tall tale legends ever to walk the American soil. They befriend a sasquatch. What Chabon is doing here is incorporating a variety of enjoyable motifs and images that conjure up some of the most beloved images of the United States itself.

Which isn't to say the book is entirely a success. There is a definite trend amongst established adult writers these days to switch focus and write for children. Clive Barker, Joyce Carol Oats, Elmore Leonard, etc. Chabon is just the latest author to jump aboard the kiddie lit bandwagon, but he's got a ways to go. After all, it takes a fair amount of skill to successfully pen books that kids will not only read but also enjoy. I can't fault Chabon's ideas, plot, or characters in "Summerland" because they are, one and all, entrancing. That leaves the writing itself, and I'm afraid its just not up to par. Chabon has a nasty habit of not explaining things, a writing style that works perfectly well for adults but is a strain on younger readers. Large shifts in the plot occur from time to time without much in the way of explanation. One of the characters, for example, explains how Coyote promised her a little brother but it turned out badly in the end. A fair amount of guesswork has to go into understanding this speech and when all is said and done it's still fairly unclear. A multitude of different problems like this one sprout up all over the book. It's almost as if Chabon hasn't yet discovered his children's literature voice as of yet.

There's a lot to love in "Summerland" just the same. Ethan Feld, our reluctant hero, is nothing so much as a slightly modified Charlie Brown. Here we have a character that never succeeds without luck or a vast amount of effort. He doesn't suddenly wake up one morning and decide that he's going to be heroic or superior. And for the most part he's treated exactly like the boy he is by the other characters. Unlike almost every other person in this story, Ethan is completely normal. He has a deep wisdom that surfaces from time to time, but otherwise he's a believable child. A person dissecting this book to pieces might well argue that the entire point of the story can be summarized as, "Magical events teach a boy to love baseball", and that wouldn't be far off. It's the journey that takes him from disenchantment to a steadfast love of the game that makes the novel worth reading. Other touches, like classic Native American folktales, the fate of men that place discovery over reason, and the names of the giants, all combine to make this little epic enjoyable and a stitch.

It's not perfect, no. It's not. Michael Chabon has some practicing to do before he is included on the list of "Great Crossover Writers For Adults and Children" but he's definitely getting there. He's accomplished something with this book that most writers never come to. He's made an original American fantasy novel. It's no "Wizard of Oz", but it's getting there. And it is definitely worth your time and money to read it. If you like stories where the heroes are good, the villains complex, and the situations dire if not hopeless, read yourself a little "Summerland". It's a pip.

Chabon should go back to writing adult stories
Summerland by Michael Chabon
If I had to describe this book in 5 words, it would probably be a spin- off of the Harry Potter series. This book was not one of the best books I have read to say the least. I mean, sure it was "ok" and it did have some originality into it, but it didn't live up to its praise by Publisher's Weekly review stating that "Pulitzer Prize winner Chabon hits a high- flying home run." I wasn't impressed by Chabon's writing; the book didn't hold my attention; the most attention-grabbing parts were the color less pictures at the beginnings of each chapter. This book took me a lot to get into it and nothing to get me out of it. I highly anticipated this book when my 7th grade language teacher told me that after reading "Time Magazine" article on the adult author, Chabon is going to be the next J.K Rowling. But obviously, Chabon should go back to being an adult writer. Chabon is an adult writer so maybe adults would like to read a children's book written by an adult writer, I presume why the ratings for this book are so high. I would find it to be an insult to J.K Rowling's work because her work was being compared to his. Summerland is about a boy, Ethan, who lost his mother at a very young age, (like Harry Potter) and is having trouble playing baseball in which he is forced to play by his father. His Father is an inventor and invented a flying car. At this point the author doesn't clarify if this is in the future, past or present. From there, Ethan meets a creature by the name of Cutebelly and tells him of the other secret worlds in, which he lives in, that nobody knows of which might be vanished by an evil dictator named Coyote. Then Ethan discovered his father mysteriously disappeared (who was really kidnapped by Coyote). Along goes Ethan and friends to stop the evil Coyote from ruling the world(s) and possibly killing his Father by traveling through the worlds using his Father's old flying car and winning baseball games to defeat enemies that cross their path. This book is filled with morals, adventure and sickening amount of baseball games, so many that it makes you literally want to jump out of your chair and get a bat in order to play baseball using the book as a baseball. On a more serious note, I enjoyed how the author incorporated the metaphor of summer having its own world since during the summer it feels like a whole different place. I enjoyed his various and descriptive characters that he put in the book, but it may be overwhelming to some people. This book is arguably bad or good considering the person. My opinion on this book when recommending it would be not to read it, but if you enjoy Michael Chabon as a writer and have an obsession with baseball I would definitely recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Tom Gallagher finds himself in a tight spot. The fate of Dillontown rests on the outcome of one baseball game, winner take all. And it's all because Tom had to open his big mouth. If only he could get Dante Del Gato-the greatest hitter to ever play the game-to coach the team. But crazy ol' Del Gato hasn't spoken to folks in years, not after walking away from the game in disgrace just before his team played in its first World Series. Maybe Tom has one more hope: Cruz de la Cruz, the mysterious boy who just rode into town on horseback claiming to know the secret of hitting. Not to mention the secrets of Del Gato . . .

John H. Ritter's new novel celebrates the holy game of baseball, playing larger-than-life games with heroism, redemption, and the making of a legend. Cruz on. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Magical Book from a Writer's Writer!
John H. Ritter is a writer's writer. The way he paints the western landscape and his careful building of a modern day Tall Tale (in the manner of Twain's "Jumping Frog..." story) speak to his brilliance, too rarely available in juvenile literature today.

But Ritter is also a storyteller's storyteller. In no way do his multiple story layers and seamless literary craftsmanship lose the young reader or baseball fan or the middle school language arts teacher (like me) or the fantasy book lover of any age.

In The Boy Who Saved Baseball, Ritter pays great homage to songwriter Bob Dylan, (thus the story's setting, Dillontown, and the wondeful "Blowin' in the Wind" ending) and to Latino writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude (thus the magical 100-year-old ballpark, the Mexican-American setting, and the dip into magical realism in creating the myth of Dante Del Gato).

I highly recommend this funny, uplifting, and brilliant story to readers of all ages.

We need John Ritter's next novel NOW!!!

My Favorite Book of the Year!!
I love this book! I've already read it three times and you have to to see all the cool stuff in it. I really like Cruz de la Cruz and Tom and Maria Flores. But del Gato is my hero because he is so honest and doesn't care what people say. This book is a mystery and a legend and you never see the ending coming-you think you do but you don't. That's why I read it all over again. My dad loved it, too.

how the boy saved baseball
The boy who saved baseball

This book is about a kid named tom and he is at a game and he makes an awesome catch and the team likes him from then on. It is about modern day and the kid is about 13 or14 and he is the type of kid that is really shy and does not like to talk or any thing and wants to be all that he can. The only reason why I read was because it is about baseball. Baseball is an ok sport to play but not as good as others. I do though like this book because fighting for a place for a baseball field. The book in the end ended in a way because they had a deal if they the team did not win the last game the diamond would get bull dozed over and they would never play baseball again. But they did win the last game and the field did not gat bulldozed over and thy cheered a lot. Over all it wasn't a bad book for little kid.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball
The book I read was "The Boy Who Saved Baseball." I really loved this book because baseball is my favorite sport. This book is about a boy named Tom who has to win a game or else his town will be gone, trashed, and bulldozed. However, the team did win an exciting game by the score of 5-4. This book will open your imagination. It can be for anybody who loves sports or baseball. I give this a 5 star. ***** I think this book is appropriate for 6-8 grades.

Best Book Ever!
An exciting book that I could read over and over again.
If you like sports, this is the book for you. It describes baseball, and thrills you to the last page. One can really picture what was happening in one's imagination, it felt as if I was playing the game right there in Dillontown. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lively and inspirational, Katie Couric's sophomore picture book, reunites Ellie McSnelly and Carriet O'Toole, friends from her successful first book, The Brand New Kid. Once again, Couric's tale deals with the aches and pains of growing up, and in The Blue Ribbon Day, she encourages kids to deal positively with disappointment. Carrie doesn't make the soccer team with Ellie, but with some reassuring words from mom, "We're all good at something, you'll have your time to shine," she makes a new start, and ends up placing first in the school science fair.

Told in fun, jazzy rhymes that help mitigate Carrie's disappointment and foretell a happy ending, Couric's snappy, upbeat text is perfectly matched by Caldecott winner Marjorie Priceman's vibrant illustrations. Charming, engaging, and brimming with positivity, parents and kids alike will enjoy this reassuring tale. Daphne Durham

Amazon.com's The Significant Seven
Katie Couric answers the seven questions we ask every author.

Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?

A: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers.

Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?

A: Encyclopedia Britannica
Any Motown compilation
To Kill a Mockingbird

Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?

A: I told my mom that I didn't break one of the bedposts of her four-post bed during a pillow fight with my brother, but I eventually fessed up because the guilt was killing me!!!.

Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.

A: In the morning, on a patio with lots of flowers and birds chirping. A comfortable wicker chair. Sunshine, low humidity and a great cup of coffee.

Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

A: "Perky no more."

Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?

A: Thomas Jefferson or Eleanor Roosevelt

Q: If you could have one superpower what would it be?

A: The power to cure serious illnesses.

... Read more

Amazon.com

Gaily tied up with two red ribbons, Lucy Cousins's unusual, delightful, virtually wordless "book" is in fact a triple pop-up. When you open the covers (vertically, like a door, rather than horizontally), you are introduced to this endearing rodent's kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, like three little dollhouses. In the boldly colorful kitchen is a pop-up table and chairs, and a pop-out-from-the-wall set of cabinets, complete with a range that opens to reveal a baking pie, and many other distractions. Turn the "page" and you come to a bathroom complete with a mirror on the wall, a liftable toilet seat, and a little figure of Maisy to stand in the shower stall. Each room comes with a sheet containing cut-out objects like clothing and small furnishings, to be arranged at will. In the bedroom, a tab turns a window scene from day to night and back again, and a clothes chest has real sliding drawers. Maisy is a character small children can fall in love with. Ingenious. (Ages 3 to 6) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (14)

My 2 yr old LOVES this book
We just received this book as a birthday present last night and I can't tell you how much my daughter loves it. She played endless for HOURS with it. We finally had to go to bed and she cried for 30 min! She woke up this morning asking for it. If your child loves Maisy, this is perfect. You get to be in Maisy's world. I love that it's not electronic and high tech-it's perfect for little imaginations to explore and invent.

Wonderful playhouse!!!
I was actually pleasantly deceived by this "book" I purchased this via Amazon over the star reviews and the fact that my daughter LOVES Maisy and her books. I didn't even realize that this is a pop up house of Maisy's bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. There are pop out food and plates to put it the cupboard, fridge that all really open. A stand up Maisy doll with multiple outfits to change her in. Even a pop out bed with a cover for her! This is a wonderful toy for a preschooler and enhances their imagination. The only problem that I truly see in this "book" is no where to store all the little pieces it comes with. I just attached a ziplock to the book to prevent the tiny pieces from getting lost. This was my 2.5yr old daughter's favorite Christmas present - I don't think she was quite old enough to keep it very neat but she has played for hours and hours! I purchased another one for when she is a little older. Very reasoable price and a sure pleaser!!

independent play
My daughter received this book when she was just a little over two years old. She was already a Maisy fan. What shocked me was that she disappeared into the bedroom one day, and when I went to go check on her, she was quietly playing all by herself with this. I didn't figure it would last long. Finally, almost an hour later, I had to go in and get her to go to the grocery store. She is almost three now and STILL loves to play independently with this book/toy - it's the only toy which occupies her independently for hours on end. I bought her the farm version too, which she also likes. A definite winner!

A toy not a book
This is a "book" that folds out to a house - complete with kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It has accessories, including Maisy, her toy panda, sailboat, rubber ducky, clothes, toothbrush, hairbrush, food, drinks, etc, etc. The cupboards and fridge open to reveal food, dishes and more. The bathroom has incredible attention to detail, including toilet paper that actually rolls out a little. I have a 3 year old daughter and she will play with this for hours. The toys are made of paper which is pretty durable, but are showing some wear. It doesn't bother her. This is one of her favorite toys and she plays with it every day. At first I was worried about the set getting ruined by little hands, but it is holding out very well. I highly recommend this toy for Maisy fans. There is a Maisy Farmhouse which is a great companion to this one.

Our 2-year Old Always Asks to Play With This Book/Toy
I got this for my daughter's 2nd birthday and she adores it. She always asks for "Mady" (Maisy), so I tie the red ribbons and set up the whole house for her. The only annoying thing about it is the clean-up of all the tiny little cardboard accessory pieces. I think some of them are in our vacuum now. ... Read more

Book Description

To look at Oscar Westerwit, you might think, Hey, just another New York City squirrel. Only thing is, you'd be wrong. . . .

For Oscar, life is good in New York City in the year 1900. He's the Mayor of Central Park -- the greatest place on earth for the squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and other animals who live there. He's the manager of his baseball team, the Central Park Green Sox, and shortstop, too. What could be bad?

Plenty, that's what! Big Daddy Duds, jewel thief, all-round thug, and leader of rats, is about to invade the park with five hundred of his closest friends. And when he does, the other animals who live there will be turned out of their homes. Everyone looks to the Mayor to save them, but he may not even be able to save himself from the invaders.   The Mayor of Central Park is a rich and fragrant evocation of old New York, with a community of animals who are as lively as characters in a Damon Runyon story, brought to life in a blend of humor and heartbreak that is vintage Avi.

Reviews (1)

fairly good story
The setting of this book takes place in 1900.The main character in the book is Oscar Westerwit, a squirrel who loves baseball and Broadway musicals.He heads up a team of animals to over come a gangster rat named Big Daddy Duds who ties to bring trouble to the park area.Find out if their plan works in The Mayor Of Central Park!


The book was easy and fun to read.


The characters in the book are animals.Children enjoy animal stories most of the time. ... Read more

Book Description

"Unabashedly uplifting."
THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
Set in a world torn apart, where man enslaves his fellow man and freedom remains elusive, THE POWER OF ONE is the moving story of one young man's search for the love that binds friends, the passion that binds lovers, and the realization that it takes only one to change the world. A weak and friendless boy growing up in South Africa during World War II, Peekay turns to two older men, one black and one white, to show him how to find the courage to dream, to succeed, to triumph over a world when all seems lost, and to inspire him to summon up the most irrersistible force of all: the Power of One.
... Read more

Reviews (311)

Exceptional
I saw this movie a long time ago and thought it was great. When I went to a small bookstore in VT a couple yaars ago and got talking to the owner she recommended this book as her all time favorite. I read it and was blown away.Its been about a year since I finshed and I still keep Peekay in my heart.What a wonderful character and such an extraordinary story - I would highly remommend this to anyone who loves the underdog.

Should be called "The power of TRUE FRIENDS"
This book can be very interesting and very frustrating. I found theeffort helpful in giving me perspective to South African politics around World War II. Aside from the obvious unfairness of treatment of so many and so often in this book, if you read carefully there are some lessons in perserverance, self esteem, and the power of loyal friends. I never was sure if the main character was a really lucky guy for all of his life experiences or really unlucky? Almost at every stage of his success, there is a downside and personal cost. In many respects this is probably true in real life as well, however if you are looking for an easy to read "happy" novel - then this book is not it. Overall, my rating is more for the lessons of the book rather than the pleasure of the read. This type of reaction is very likely just what the author intended.

The Power Of One
The Power of One is a book of its own kind; it is unique in many ways. Bryce Courtenay seems to bind the reader to the character in an amazing way. Taking place in South Africa, a young boy named Peekay is only five when he is sent to an all Black Boarding school. Being the only white kid there he is immediately singled out as an outcast and constantly harassed and beaten.
The book continues to tell the story Peekay's life and how he grows up. He eventually comes under the influence of two men who become his mentors. One who is black man in prison named Geel Piet, who teaches him how to box, for it is Peekay's life long ambition to become Welterweight Champion of the world. The other man is a music professor named Doc, who has an obsession with cactuses and other plants. Doc becomes very close to Peekay and teaches him the importance of love and friendship. Its theses people that drive Peekay toward his dream of being boxing champion, they and give him the necessities to become a hero of the people of South Africa.
In the end the story tumbles to a terrible and bloody climax that will leave you feeling maybe a little disappointed because not every thing is resolved, but it is meant to be that way in order to keep it from being to cliché. Non-the less it is a refreshing and well-thought ending. If this book does not make your emotions stir and arouse the power of one in your self then it sure will make you want to try boxing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good humor, beautiful characters and a good boxing match. I thoroughly enjoyed this book front to back. It seemed to help give me a better under standing of why life is the way it is.

Beautiful, moving, interesting, inspiring-loved it!
I'm no fan of boxing, was not that interested in the history of South Africa, and have a hard time reading about children or subjugated races being mistreated. This was a book I had to read for a book club, and wasn't keen on getting started.That said, this book grabbed me from the first chapter and held me spellbound.

The protagonist, English boy Peekay, must first suffer in school at the hands of Afrikaaner bullies and an indifferent administration which offers him no protection. Soon, though, life gets better as he leaves school and benefits from various people, black and white, of various nationalities. The bad guys get their just desserts for the most part, and the good guys generally triumph.

Some may quibble that in real life, retribution is seldom served to brutal thugs as neatly and appropriately as it is in this book. Borman's rectal cancer was poetic justice. As for the Judge...!

This book ranks up there with "To Kill A Mockingbird", both in the fascinating way it gives the reader a strong sense of the time and place, and in the way the reader is able to empathize with even the most unsympathetic characters, even as they horrify us. It elevates the reader, even as it remains interesting and enjoyable.

Bad Book
This book was not worth reading.Unless you have a lot of extra time, don't waste your time reading this. ... Read more

Book Description

The Anything You Can Do series is unprecedented in its concept of offering real stories of new heroes to young girls. The premise of the series is to profile a variety of young athletes, from a variety of ethnic, socio-economic, geographical and family backgrounds who have grown up to achieve excellence in Olympic and professional sports. Series Foreword by Julie Foudy, Member U.S. Women's World Cup-Winning Soccer Team Series Introduction by Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic Track & Field Superstar and Sports Illustrated for Women's Athlete of the Century ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Inspiring role model
I love this book! It's a great story of how sports can shape your life in a positive way. Swimmers and non-swimmers alike will be inspired by Jenny's story. This great book is now available as an e-book for those of you who can't find a copy of the original printing. You can order here from amazon.com, the isbn is B0001GDOUQ.

How Jenny dealt with the negative peer pressure
Fast Lane To Victory is the third in Wish Publishing's outstanding "Anything You Can Do...New Sports Heroes For Girls" series and the story of swim champion Jenny Thompson. Swimming was what Jenny like best, but when her friends at school started to tease her and call her "tomboy" and "Too Tall Thompson", she felt the pressures placed on a lot of young girls to conform to social norms of what was "proper" for girls. Jenny dealt with the negative peer pressure and became so successful as an athlete that she came to be called the "Fastest Swimmer in the Wor