Book Description

Kirk is thrilled to get a job as a junior lifeguard, but soon the 14-year-old finds out that the job's not quite what he hoped it would be. It does have its perks, however, and those include being able to boss people around--including his 12-year-old sister, Kristy, and her friends. Pretty soon, Kirk thinks he's the king of the community pool, and Kristy decides it's time to sink her brother's big ego! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Will Jerry Choose Baseball or Soccer?
The Winning Stroke is about a boy named Jerry Grayson. He absolutely loves baseball and thinks he'll never stop playing. Then, one day, he hurt his leg and his doctor told him that if he wanted to play baseball again, he had to do aquatic therapy. Jerry flipped out. Finally he agreed to do the therapy. While he was at the pool he saw his friend Tanya. She said she was on the Bolten Blues swimteam. After thinking about it for a long time, he decided to join the team. He became a more competative and better swimmer. I loved this book because I love softball(which is like baseball), swimming and other sports too. If you like sports you'll definitely like this book.

Kristy's Meet!
The fun loveable Kristy Adams has entered Jr. High. When her friend Rosa wants her to try out for the swim team just to keep her company she reluctantly agrees.

On the day of the six grade try outs for the team she realizes how much she really loves to swim! It helps even more when in the afternoon she finds out she has made the "A" team, made up of the best swimmers.

At her first meet Kristy swimming 100 backstroke, (not her best stroke) runs into the wall, hits her head, and doesn't finish the reace, she deciedd she doesn't want to be on the team.

Kristy changes her mind many more times but ends up sticking with it. This is a good book but not as good as 3 and 4. Everyone should read it even if you have a higher reading level then 3rd or 4th grade!

Jerry finds that he can excell at more than one sport.
Jerry is a 12 year old boy who is injured on a baseball play at one of his games. He needs to go into theropy after he is told he sereously injured his leg. His thereopist suggests swiming. He reluctently decides to try it. After Jerry's leg heals he has to make a hard decision- keep swiming or play ball. To see what Jerry decides to do read the book!

5th Grader, Kevin Conklin says, "This is a great book!"
This is a story about a kid named Jerry Grayson. Jerry loves baseball. In the beginning he is playing baseball and gets hurt. He got a base hit and he thought he could make it to second base. When he did, the big second baseman fell on his leg and Jerry was hurt. Jerry went to the hospital, and the doctor said he would need therapy. The swimming coach said he could do exercises at the pool for his leg. The first day he went to the pool he met some classmates that he knew. After some days the coach asked Jerry if he wanted to practice with the team for his leg to get better. The coach told him he had a natural stroke. In the end he decides to try out for the team. He was inspired by his friend. At the first meet he swam for a kid that was sick. In another meet he asked to swim the 500 yard freestyle, and then later he swam the 50 yard freestyle race. The person that was supposed to do the relay race had sprained his ankle so the coach asked Jerry to swim for him. After that event the kids said he had the winning stroke. I liked this book because even though he wanted to play baseball, he never gave up in swimming and he tried as hard as he could. By Kevin

This is a good summer reading book.
Review by Becky Hammond, Age 10 144 East 3850 North Provo, UT 84604 The Winning Stroke is about Kristy who tried out for her school swim team. Her brother was already a champion swimmer and she wanted her parents to be as proud of her as they were of her brother. In her first meet she bumped her head and wanted to quit. The story is about her struggle to stay on the team. This is a good book, even if you are not a swimmer, because it is about learning team work and how not to quit. I liked it because the story was full of racing excitment. Some of the characters, like Mary Jean, could have been more carefully developed. Mary Jean tries to get Kristy off the team because she is jealous. The book would be readable for a third or fourth grader. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Selection
There are 78 pages and the AR level is 5.9. The book is about Michael being the world's best basketball player and the Bulls winning six NBA championships and he won five regular-season MVP awards. When Michael's dad got murdered he retired from basketball and played his dad's favorite sport, which was baseball. He found out he wasn't good at baseball so he went back to playing basketball for the Bulls.
Michael was very happy seeing his parents at his games. I likeed him because he was a good basketball player and he cared about his parents, his wife, his kids and his team. The rest of the characters also liked Michael. The setting made me like the book because it was at basketball courts and I like going there to see games. The story was interesting and sade because his dad got killed and he retired from something he liked twice. ... Read more

Book Description

The league championship is just around the corner and the Scrappers still have a shot -- but they can't afford to make any mistakes. With Coach Carlton's good advice and everyone's hard work, the whole team is at their peak of performance...except maybe Tracy. After taking one in the face during a game, she's been a little shy of the ball. Her bruises are fading, but her teammates and even kids on the other teams have started to notice that she's backing off.

Tracy has to wonder if she's not cut out for baseball after all. She has other friends who know nothing about baseball, and she has fun with them. Still, she's a Scrapper, and with only a few games left in the season, she can't quit now. Can she?

No Fear is the eighth book in Dean Hughes's Scrappers series. Each book in the series focuses on a different member of this determined baseball squad. In one summerlong season, each player learns not only something about him or herself, but also what it is that defines a team. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Book
Scrapers is a fun book to read.I play baseball so it was interesting for me.The main character is Kati.Their problem is that Kati has a black eye, and she couldn't not play as well.It was a funny book.It got me ready for Baseball.I think you would like it. ... Read more

Book Description

Gloria knows that she's one of the best players the Scrappers have, but she can't do it all -- and when the other kids blow it, she's the first one to let them know. The coach has warned her to quiet down, but how can she be the trouble when the rest of the team is pathetic?

With Gloria setting the tone, the Scrappers are spending less and less time working as a team and more and more time fighting among themselves. When she opens her mouth one too many times and provokes a fight that costs the Scrappers an important game, Coach Carlton is so disgusted he quits the team. "I know baseball," he says, "and this isn't it." Are the Scrappers' hopes of pulling together for the championship over?

Bases Loaded is the fifth book in Dean Hughes's new Scrappers series. Each book focuses on a different member of this unseasoned but determined baseball squad. In one summerlong season, each player learns something about him or herself and what it is that defines a team. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Kids Sports Story With Substance
Book #5 of the series explores the personality of Gloria Gibbs, the star shortstop of the Scrappers. Gloria has a lot of talent however she always seems to be putting her foot in her mouth. Her "in your face" approach is grating on the coach and players. The team chemistry is quicklydissolving as Gloria's comments continue to upset almost all of the playersand coaches. It's never good enough for Gloria. She can do no wrong.Readabout Gloria's background, growing up with brothers and a father who aren'tthe sensitive types. Her father, the owner of a junkyard (for whom the teamis named) hasn't got patience for anything or anybody and Gloria is muchthe same.The book gives us a different view on girls in sports. Gloria'sbaseball skills are excellent. She excels in the field and at bat. One ofonly three girls on the team -she's not backing down to anyone.As youfollow through the story we see how Gloria comes to understand that her wayis not the best. She learns how to help her team mates. To think firstbefore talking. To control her temper and understand how to get your pointacross in a socially acceptable way. The book deals with resolvingconflict, but keeps it light, using the sports theme to soften the impact.It's a good way for your child to absord this important information. ... Read more

Book Description

The Scrappers are really coming together now. They beat the Mustangs, the best team in the league, and now they have a chance at the championship. But first baseman and pitcher Adam Pfitzer is still on edge. He needs to focus more. He and Ollie, the other pitcher on the team, have solid talent, but they need to be more consistent.

Even beyond these challenges, there is a growing problem with Adam's cousin Stan. Stan is more than just a cousin -- he's also Adam's best friend. Playing for the Pit Bulls, he's spent most of the first part of the season on the bench. Even when his team does okay, Stan is down in the dumps. He just doesn't have what it takes. So what should Adam do when Stan asks him to work with him on his hitting?

His cousin and friend needs his help. His team needs his loyalty. What if one of Adam's teammates sees him throwing pitches to Stan on an off day? What if Stan gets a key hit in a game with the Scrappers, and the Scrappers lose? What will Adam's teammates think then?

No Easy Out is the sixth book in Dean Hughes's acclaimed Scrappers series about an eager and hardworking group of kids who are learning what it means to be a team. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Parent's Thoughts on Scrappers #6 "No Easy Out"
My son was assigned to do a book report for school and chose "No Easy Out" by Dean Hughes.I wanted to help him with his report, so I read the book feeling that this would help me ask him the right questions laterwhen he was writing his report.

I liked the book.Mr. Hughes has made iteasy to imagine yourself as Adam the main character.The book's style ofwritinglets the reader feel empathetic to Adam's plight of puting histeamthe Scrappers above, his friend and cousin, who plays for anotherteam.Stan, Adam's cousin, is having trouble with his hitting and hasasked Adam for help with batting practice.

Aside from the main theme thebook keeps the young readers attention with fast and exciting game actionthat works well with the message of the book, that helping your friends isOk even if you are in competition with that friend.Being competitive whenyou play is part of the fun and being competitive with your friends is evenmore fun. ... Read more

Book Description

In Team Player, the third book in Dean Hughes's popular series, the season is moving along for the Scrappers. It looks like they have some talent after all, and that talent is finally gelling into some numbers in the "win" column.

But one thing is driving Trent Lubak crazy -- the way his old friend Robbie Marquez is changing. Where has that big mouth come from all of a sudden? Every time Robbie makes a great play at third, he's the first to tell the world: "Nothing gets by me, I'm Velcro Man." His nonstop bragging is particularly annoying after Trent not only misses the cutoff man in a play to home plate, but nearly throws the ball out of the stadium as well. How humiliating.

The growing tension between Trent and Robbie threatens to undermine the Scrappers' team spirit that has been so delicately woven so far. Is it possible that Trent is just a little jealous of Robbie's flashy plays? Might he have to come to grips with the fact that he isn't a standout star, but, as a solid, dependable player, just as important to the team?

Each book in Dean Hughes's Scrapper's series focuses on a different member of this unseasoned but determined baseball squad. In one summerlong season, each player learns something about him or herself and what it is that defines a team. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

cute book
We read this in our homeschool as a fiction read aloud.My son who is seven enjoyed hearing the book.He liked hearing about the scouts adventures.I'm sure we will be reading more Pee Wee Scout books soon.

MRS. PETER'S IS REALLY FUNNY.
I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK.MRS. PETER'S EXPLAINED HOW TO MAKE THE COOKIES IN A FUNNY WAY.I AM A 3RD GRADER AND BELIEVE THAT I WILL REALLY ENJOY READING MORE OF PEE WEE SCOUTS! ... Read more

Book Description

It's the Scrappers' last regular season game. If they beat the Mustangs today, they'll win the championship for the second half of the season. After that they'll get a second shot at the Mustangs to decide the championship for the entire year. But the Mustangs are really tough. Can the Scrappers expect to beat them twice in a row?

If Thurlow Coates has anything to do with it, the answer is yes!

Distant and uninterested earlier in the season, Thurlow has pulled himself together and finally come around as a solid member of the team. He has proven to be the Scrappers' most gifted player -- capable, it seems, of hitting the ball out of the park whenever he wants to. And the Scrappers have come around, too, from an unseasoned bunch of kids to a team that demands and deserves the respect of every opponent.

But can Thurlow carry the team by himself when everything the Scrappers have worked so hard to achieve is about to unravel? How could the team meet the challenges to come if Thurlow was injured? What would Thurlow himself do?

Grand Slam, the ninth book in the acclaimed Scrappers series, brings the Scrappers' dynamic, come-from-behind season to a white-knuckle, edge-of-your-seat conclusion. In some ways, this conclusion does depend on one player -- but in other ways, it depends on everyone. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great for children
I read these books when I was in fifth and sixth grade. They are all kind of formulaic and predictable to anyone 13 years of age and older but they are great for younger children. I recommend these books for child that you want to start reading more. They are easy reads and teach great lessons like team work, accepting differences in people and sportsmanship. They can really boost a child's confidence.

Geat Book From A Great Author!
Matt Christpher is a great author and chalange at second base is one of his best books. I like the entence reading. You will enjoy this book and never be able to stop reading. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Critique of Lucky Dog Days
Lucky Dog Days was a fantastic book.This book is about some kids who try toassist homeless dogs and cats.So they go to a selter to nurture cats and dogs.Later they conclud to have a rummage sale. they sold dogs and other people garbage.they earned 1 thousand dallors.At the end ofthe bookthey get a puppy for a mascot.They named the puppylucky because he's lucky to to be there mascot instead of going to the pound.my favorite section of the book is when Molly keeps saying rats knees.

Critique of Lucky Dog Days
Lucky Dog Days was a fantastic book.This book is about some kids who try toassist homeless dogs and cats.So they go to a selter to nurture cats and dogs.Later they conclud to have a rummage sale. they sold dogs and other people garbage.they earned 1 thousand dallors.At the end ofthe bookthey get a puppy for a mascot.They named the puppylucky because he's lucky to to be there mascot instead of going to the pound.my favorite section of the book is when Molly keeps saying rats knees. ... Read more

Book Description

After nearly two decades in the NHL, Wayne Gretzky continues to hold most of the league's major scoring records. In fact, he holds more NHL records than any other player. Growing up in Ontario, Wayne started playing hockey when he was only four, on an ice rink his father built in their backyard. He went on to become known as "the Great One," playing in 18 All-Star games, named MVP nine times, and ranked as the league's leading scorer 10 times. This completely revised and updated biography follows Wayne's exciting career, from his four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers to his achievements with the New York Rangers, and retirement from Hockey. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wayne Gretzky
I'm writing about the book I read in Social Studies. This book was farly good. This book talked about Wayne's life. It said that when he was a little kid he moved to Toronto to get away from all the paretens who's kids were mad that he was always scoring. At a young age Wayne played hockey with his grandmother. Wayne was also great as a young boy. Wayne was 18 years old when he started to play hockey in the NHL. Wayne has 40 Reular season records. Wayne played for 4 different teams. Wayne Gretzky is the greats or one of the greats. I think that if you like sports you should read this book. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A good dude book
The book I'm reviewing is Catcher With A Glass Arm by Matt Christopher. I think it deserves five stars. The problem in the story is Jody the main character has a glass arm. Jody thinks he could play, but his teamates don't think he can. Although his teammates don't believe in him, Jody plays. Jody starts catching badly and he is starting to think he can't play. Jody solved this problem by talking to Mr. Baruth. Mr. Baruth tells him not to care about what his teammates think. Then he says "As long as your happy playing baseball, then play." Jody gets his confidence back and plays very well. I recommend this book to a friend.

Give It All You've Got!
I read a book called Catcher With A Glass Arm by Matt Christopher.I liked this book because it helped me overcome my fears of being a catcher.My favorite character is Moonie because he learns to be friends with Jody, the main character, and helps Jody not to be afraid of the ball.Jody realizes that he should throw the ball as hard as he can and not to step out of the batter's box because he doesn't want to get hit by the ball. I didn't like that they didn't say who got the scores. I would suggest this book to anyone who needs help to throw or catch a ball.

Boring!
Man! this book was so boring. Its about a kid that plays on a baseball team and cant throw to 2nd base well at all. In this book it took the writer of this book like 3 chapters to tell the story of one game. There was no action what so ever in this book. the whole book led up to one play where the catcher me a great tag out. But i still gave this book 2 starts instead of 1 because there were some parts where it almost got interesting for a second.

Review of Catcher With a Glass Arm
I think Matt Christopher's "Catcher With a Glass Arm" was a great book. It just amazes me that he knows so much about sports. When it came down to the part where the book said the Dolphins came in second place over all, I thought the book was over, but no sirree bob, Matt kept on going. Great book!

The Catcher with the Glass Arm
The Catcher with the Glass Arm was a very exciting book.It was exciting for me because it was a sports book, and I like sports. This book was one of the best books I've ever read. Catcher with a glass arm is about a boy who has a glass arm and when ever he has to throw the baseball he either over throws it or throws it too short. Then a guy comes along and helps him with throwing and how to throw it better and to relax and to always practice, because practice makes perfect. So the boy gets better and better and can throw the ball with no problem. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

COOL BOOK
This book is great! It is mainly about two brothers, one a great athlete, one handicaped. They are twins and can communicate through ESP. There friend then tells them about TEC, which is where you switch bodies. The handi- caped brother is in his brothers body. They can switch back when they want too. This book is THILLING!

A sports-fiction about the disabled
The Great Quarterback Switch, by Matt Christopher, is a book about a boy named Michael, who is physically disabled. Michael is stuck in a wheelchair the rest of his life. He has a twin brother Tom, who plays football. Michael goes to every game, wishing he could play. One day, the twins meet their next door neighbor. Ollie Prutte is pretty old. He believes in mental telepathy. Ollie tells the boys instructions on how to do telepathy, from what he knows. At Tom's next football game, it happens, the telepathy works!! This book, a sports-fiction book, is great for young sports readers. The author, Matt Christopher, is presently living in Rock Hill, South Carolina with his wife, Cay. He has written more than thirty sports novels for children.

One reason why readers like this book is because I love sports books and Matt Christopher is really good at writing for kids. A really good scene is when, on the second game of trying telepathy, it works and Michael scores two touchdowns. Another reason why readers enjoy this book is because Matt writes books so that it makes it seem real-life, not fiction. He is a great writer. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Soccer Scoop
Soccer Scoop
By: Matt Christopher

This book is about a boy who goes by the name of Mac who plays on the school's soccer team.This boy likes to play soccer and he plays as the goalie.Mac kept finding cartoons in the paper that were making fun of him. At the end of the season the cougars had won the championship game in soccer.The part that I liked the most in this book was when the cougars won the championship game for the school.The part that I didn't like the most was the cartoons in the papers that were making fun of Mac in the book.The effects on this book made me want to read more books on this author.I recommend this book to kids of the age of 10-13 who like sports a lot.

very exiting
This book was a great book by Matt Christopher.Soccor scoop, a great sports book was awsome.It made sure you were paying all of your attention to the book.I would rate this great book five stars.It was very suspious and thrilling.I would recremened this book to anyone who likes sports like soccor.It was also funny in most spots in the book.

One of the greatest books
I have read many books that I enyojed but when I read Soccer Scoop I couldn't think of a better book. Soccer Scoop is one of the best books and also it's written by one of my favorite authors,Matt Christoper. This book is about a boy named Mac who's the best goalie of the season and one day when he was going to school with his friend Doggie,that is his friend all of a sudden when they entered the school everybody started making fun of Mac. The author Matt Christoper sets the scene at the soccer field where a loy of mac;s games go on. He also set's the scene at Mac's school where Mac found out that someone was making fun fo him,and also the bus where mac found out something about the cartoonst. So my suggestion to you is you should read Soccer Scoop because it's a really good book.

Soccer Scoop Review
Soccer Scoop Matt Christopher Soccer Scoop was a great book. I loved it and you will too. The story kept going and didn't bore me.I was wondering what was going to happen next every second. The book is about a goalie who has a big mouth and chatters during his soccer games. In theschool paper there is a comic that makes fun of his chattering. He sets outto find out who the culprit is.The best part of the book was when Mac findsout who the culpret is he goes through a lot of trouble but it is fun andkeeps you going. The book is fun because it makes you wonder who theculprit is and is very exciting.John Underwood ... Read more

Book Description

Thirty world-class athletes tell how they have achieved their personal best and how they get into “the zone.”

Spirit of Champions emphasizes through examples how to enter that spiritual zone of extraordinary performance.

Author Lyle Nelson competed in four Olympics and was unanimously elected to serve as leader of the 1988 United States Olympic Team. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

With a little help from our friends. . .
We all get by with a little help from our friends. In "Spirit" Lyle Nelson shares some of his enormous positive energy in a way that makes it seem like he's there in the room with you, gently offering insightful ideas for living our lives to the fullest. As a high school teacher, I found that my students needed to lift their spirits on many occasions, & this short book often provided them with the boost they needed to go forward & feel good about themselves.We all need that every once in awhile!Makes a great gift when a friend needs some encouragement!Janice Markham

Inspirational
A very inspirational and uplifting book. Lots of great advice for living life to the fullest. Gets better with every turn of the page. We bought a box load to share with friends and family. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good values, heartwarming story, Sports!
I read this book as a 12-year-old, and I just loved it. Of course, my copy has a picture of Tommy running for a touchdown on the cover from the days when helmets didn't have facemasks! Anyway, it's about making friends (not playing dirty football), needing to be wanted (by a new puppy and his foster parents), and is just good, clean fun. It has the sports element, which I also liked as a kid, but it's about so much more than football. It ain't intellectual literature, but it is a great read for the 11 to 14 year old set, and can be read to kids younger. It does have sad parts and parts that tug at your heart, but it's good for young boys to feel these things; and the ending will not leave you disappoointed. Glad to see this book is still in print.

A realistic fiction book with football in it
A boy is trying to make a football team. Tommy, the boy, is so worried about his foster parents that he almost doesn't make the team. Will he stay with his foster parents, or score the winning touchdown? Find out in Touchdown for Tommy. by Matt Christopher. Kyle likes this book because it's funny, realistic fiction, and action book.

The author of this book is Matt Christopher. Matt Christopher is a fictional sports writer. He has a fan club in South Carolina.

One reason people would enjoy this book is that it is funny. It's funny because he always hurts himself. A really good scene in this book is the football field. It's cool because they play football on it. I also like this book because it's filled with action. I knew what was happening because he used good descriptive words. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Review on The Basket Counts
The Basket Counts by Matt Christopher

Mel and his friends are on a good basketball team called the Titans. They live in a little town called Trixton.

I think the people that will like this book are people that like sports.

The Titans have won every game, until Mel, one of the best players on the team got into a fight with Caskie his own teammate, and Mel gets kick out of the game.

Do the Titans go to the playoffs without Mel and do the Titans go to the champion chip game? Well the world may never know unless you read the outstanding book!!
The Basket Counts by Matt Christopher

Mel and his friends are on a good basketball team called the Titans. They live in a little town called Trixton.

I think the people that will like this book are people that like sports.

The Titans have won every game, until Mel, one of the best players on the team got into a fight with Caskie his own teammate, and Mel gets kick out of the game.

Do the Titans go to the playoffs without Mel and do the Titans go to the champion chip game? Well the world may never know unless you read the outstanding book!!

(...)

Josh from Connecticut, April 15, 2000
If you like basketball or ever have had to deal with racism, you'll like this book. Mel Johnson moves to an all white neighborhood and school. He joins the school basketball team and most of the players won't even pass the ball to him because he is black. When one of the other players falls through the ice and Mel helps to save his life, things turn around. From that point on they start to play as a team and realize that no matter what color you are "The Basket Counts" This book is very easy to read...if you're like me and would rather be playing basketball than reading about it! ... Read more