Yossi Mendelsohn works hard to help his family survive after they flee Russia to find a better life in Montreal. He sells newspapers and carries bundles from the garment factory. Yossi longs to play "le hockey" with the French boys, but he has no skates. When his father falls ill and his sister and her fianc organize a walkout at the factory, Yossi's dream of lacing on skates seems farther away than ever.
It's a new season for Nick and Kia and once again they have to prove they've got what it takes to make the Mississauga Magic rep team. There is no free ride on Coach Barkley's team. The tryouts are tough but fair and it looks like the nucleus of last years team will be together once again. But there is one new player who seems to have the skills to impress the coach. Though Ashton has great skills, he's not much of a team player. On top of that he's not even sure he wants to make the team. Unable to imagine that anyone wouldn't want to play for the Magic, Nick and Kia set out to solve this dilemma and learn some tough lessons along the way. Book 7 in the series.
It's summertime and hoops season is over, but that doesn't keep Nick and Kia off the court. One very hot day they head to the rec center for a swim but end up on the outdoor courts that are usually dominated by older players. Their enjoyment of the court is short-lived, however, when three teens show up and kick the kids and their ball off the court. Nick and Kia don't take well to being bullied, but there's nothing they can do about it. At least not until they run into Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams at a mall promotional event, and Kia enlists the NBA star's help in proving that she and Nick do indeed belong on the same court as the older players. Eric Walters has teamed up with NBA fan-favorite and former Toronto Raptor and current New York Knick Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams for the eighth installment of this best-selling basketball series. Jerome's royalties will help support the JYD Project, which is run by his brother, Johnnie Williams. The JYD Project's goal is to reach more than half a million Canadian and American students over a five-year period with their inspirational message. Book 8 in the series.
Nick, Kia and their Mississauga Magic teammates are on the road, heading off to an elite hoop tournament in the Midwest. Feeling outmatched by many of the high profile teams, the kids are still looking forward to a good time. However, Coach Barkley, who played college ball in the area and is still regarded as a hero, has other ideas. As usual, nothing but winning will be good enough for Coach. As the tournament progresses, the Magic players learn to believe in themselves and come to realize that they can hold their own against the opposing teams. And then, just as the team seems to have a shot at making the finals, the eligibility of one of their players is questioned and they face disqualification. Will the team spirit the road trip has instilled be strong enough to get the kids over this hurdle? Book 5 in the series.
Jaz lives in the small northern community of Destiny and is a new member of the Junior Canadian Rangers. Her divorced parents argue a lot, and Jaz hopes if she wins a dog-mushing derby, they will be so proud of her they will stop arguing. But the derby would be a lot more fun if she wasn't paired with Colly, an older boy who is a more experienced JCR. On the derby trail all Jaz's newfound skills, her will to survive and her ability to get along with Colly, are put to a life-and-death test.
When Nick and Kia arrive for try-outs for the basketball team they played on the previous year, they are surprised to learn that their coach is retiring. The surprises continue when the new coach is introduced. Coach Barkley, a former college star known for his fierce desire to win, missed out on a pro career due to a serious injury. Though the coach has been away from the game for many years, his competitive instincts are as strong as ever and his aggressive coaching techniques are a new experience for these kids. Practices are long and hard and not nearly as much fun as they used to be. Suddenly making the rep team no longer seems the sure thing that Nick and Kia expected when they came to try-outs. The new coach expects near perfection from the youngsters and does not deal well with anything less. This is hard on Nick and Kia, but especially difficult for the coach's son, L.B., who is also trying out for the team.When the coach matches them up against a team of older players and then refuses to accept their loss, the kids begin to wonder if they even want to make this team. Nick, Kia and L.B. finally have to decide whether to play for a tyrant or to take a stand on principle and face the consequences. Book 4 in the series.
Readers of Hoop Crazy will remember Ned as the bug-loving beanpole who lives in an isolated national park out West, three hours from the nearest basketball court. But Ned's participation in the three-on-three tournament when he visited Nick has sparked his interest in the game and now he and his father have built their own basketball court in the wilderness. And Ned's hoop skills have improved considerably. Nick and Kia are just beginning to get the hang of life in the wilderness when disaster strikes. A raging forest fire threatens to destroy Ned's home and cut off their escape.
When Nick and his pals suddenly find themselves short a man for the NBA-sponsored three-on-three tournament they plan to enter during the summer holidays, the solution seems simple enough. Nick, Kia and Mark are the key players on the team, so the fourth, though mandatory according to the rules, doesn't really have to be good at the game. A surprise visit from Nick's mother's cousin brings Ned, who is exactly Nick's age but not exactly an athlete, into the picture and onto the team. Nick and Ned, though related, are about as different as two boys born on the same day can be. And they don't get along. Nick cares mostly about sports and basketball is his passion. Ned is crazy about bugs and lives out West in a national park, three hours' drive from the nearest basketball court. The other three teammates figure that as long as they don't actually have to use Ned in a game they will be fine. Then Mark sprains his ankle and can't play in the tournament. Suddenly Nick and Kia must find a way to make Ned an integral part of the team. This turns out to be no small task!
In the tenth installment of the best-selling Eric Walters basketball series, Nick, Kia and their teammates embark on a letter writing campaign to persuade the Toronto Raptors community relations department to send one or more of the players to visit Clark Boulevard Elementary School. Unfortunately they are too late in applying and the team's school program has already been set for the year. But Nick and Kia do not give up easily, and their efforts become increasingly dramatic until Nick finally comes up with an idea that the team will be unable to ignore. Book 10 in the series
Nick, Kia and their basketball-playing pals are back in this sequel to Eric Walters' very successful "Three on Three". With the three-on-three tournament over, it's now time for tryouts for the school rep team. The question is will grade three students Nick and Kia have any chance to make the team? After all the rep team is normally made up only of grade five players. When Nick and Kia decide that they will try out for the team, they find they get a chilly and somewhat hostile reception from the older students. Even the coach seems to give them little hope of making the team. Only their old teammate Marcus is willing to stick up for them. But their determination pays off and they make the team, though both seem destined to ride the bench for much of the season. And the team itself does not get off to a good start, losing its first four games. And then Kia has an idea that she thinks might turn things around. But she and Nick will have to convince their reluctant teammates to buy into the plan and that's won't be easy. Once they persuade Marcus, Kingsley and Roy to practice the new strategy, the future begins to look brighter. Now at least Nick and Kia are getting some playing time, but can they keep the momentum going through the playoffs? Book 2 in the series
Twelve-year-old Jess and her friends have been playing hockey with the boys in Fort Desperation, Northwest Territories, since they were six years old. They'd like to start a girls' team in their community, but is tiny Fort Desperation ready for it? Somebody is trying to scare them off through acts of vandalism. Not only do Jess and her friends have to organize a team, find a coach and learn to play together, they have to unmask the Hockey Vandal. Can they do it before the Vandal destroys their team's hopes?
When Nick and Kia are invited to former Toronto Raptor Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams' basketball camp in Washington, DC, they quickly discover that this is no ordinary summer hoop camp. This is a basketball boot camp that focuses on discipline and hard work. Jerome and Johnnie's father, "Sergeant Push-up" to the campers, is the no-nonsense camp director. When scrimmages begin, Nick and Kia fall victim to the antics of their teammate Jamal, a talented but troubled player who tries to win games on his own. Only after some hard lessons-and some tough losses-do the three youngsters learn that it takes everyone on the team to accomplish real success. For the ninth installment of this best-selling series, Eric Walters has teamed up with retired NBA star Jerome Williams and his brother Johnnie Williams III to write another exciting chapter in the lives of Nick and Kia. Although Boot Camp is fiction, there is a real JYD Basketball Boot Camp in Washington each summer. The Williams' royalties will go to support the JYD Project, which offers a variety of community outreach programs for youth in Canada and the United States.
In Stadiums, early fluent readers will learn how stadiums are designed to provide the best possible experiences for performers and spectators alike. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they explore the built world around them. An infographic illustrates how stadium roofs manage sound, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about stadiums using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Stadiums also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Roller Coasters, early fluent readers will learn how roller coasters are engineered to keep thrill seekers safe while giving them an exciting ride. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they explore the built world around them. An infographic illustrates the physics principles that make roller coasters work, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about roller coasters using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Roller Coasters also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
Yadier Molina es uno de tres hermanos que se tomaron el mundo del béisbol. Yadier, el más joven, puede que incluso sea el mejor jugador. Es uno de los mejores cátchers del deporte hoy por hoy. Durante sus diez años con Los Cardinales de San Luis, Molina ha tenido una carrera impresionante. Los roba bases difícilmente--tiene oportunidad alguna cuando Molina está detrás del plato--y puede agarrar toda pelota que le lancen. Ha ayudado a Los Cardinales a ganar juego tras juego. ¡Descubra como Yadier Molina se hizo tan buen jugador!
Carlos González es una estrella beisbolera que cruza fronteras. Ha jugado en Venezuela y los Estados Unidos, ganando el afecto de seguidores por donde quiera que va. "Cargo," como le llaman su fans, ha causado una importante impresión en el mundo del béisbol. Sus sencillos, dobles, y carreras han mantenido al otro equipo sobre sus talones. Apenas es el principio de su carrea, así que no hay forma de saber lo que le depara el futuro. Sus premios se van apilando y con seguridad seguirá logrando reconocimientos y honores en el futuro.
Miguel Batista es un lanzador que puede entrar en el juego tan pronto como se necesita, puesto que ha estado mucho tiempo en el campo. Conoce el béisbol por dentro y por fuera. Aparte de gran jugador, es una persona muy interesante. Invierte mucho de su tiempo leyendo y publicando poemas y novelas. Sigue su carrera y el camino que tomó para llegar donde está actualmente. ¡Este deportista ha tenido una larga jornada--y aún no termina!
Johan Santana es una estrella beisbolera originario de un país más bien conocido por producir futbolistas; sin embargo resplancede como uno de los mejores lanzadores de pelota caliente. Su pelota rápida y lenta mantienen al público y a los bateadores en la intriga. Su talento lo ha hecho el favorito de los amantes del béisbol. Conozca más de como Santana luchó por llegar a la cima, desde su niñez jugando pelota en el barrio hasta llegar a las Grandes Ligas. Su travesía al éxito no ha sido siempre la más suave, pero Johan Santana ha luchado con ahínco para anar su lugar en ésta disciplina.
Nelson Cruz ha tenido una carrera sorprendente en el béisbol. Ha jugado en una Serie Mundial, ha participado en el Juego de las Estrellas, ha roto records, y ha ganado millones de dólares. ¡También es el único jugador en la historia del béisbol que ha bateado un cuadrangular con bases llenas en el juego de la post temporada! Conozca el largo camino que Cruz recorrió para alcanzar su sueño de jugar béisbol profesional. ¡Entérese como pasó de jugar en la Liga de Verano Dominicana a batear jonrones en la Serie Mundial!
Francisco Liriano es un poderoso lanzador dominicano a quien los fanáticos han visto soportar muchas lesiones para llegar de nuevo a la cima. Sus sorprendentes estadísticas y su excelente brazo lanzador lo han llevado a ganar premios y millones de dólares. Desde sus sueños de joven beisbolista en la República Dominicana hasta su carrera en las Grandes Ligas, Liriano ha sido imparable en su carrera. Conozca más sobre el camino de éste beisbolista hacia las Mayores . . . y descubra qué se necesita para ser un gran beisbolista.
No muchos beisbolistas son tan legendarios como Roberto Clemente. Rompió la barrera del color, ayudó a su comunidad, y en medio de todo, hizo un gran juego. Durante su carrera con Los Piratas de Pittsburg, hizo algunas cosas sorprendentes. Tristemente, la vida de Clemente fue truncada por un accidente de avión. ¡Pero hoy su memoria sigue viva! Los fanáticos de todo el mundo todavía recuerdan al jugador de Carolina como una inspiración.
Carlos Beltrán quería ser estrella de béisbol desde niño. Trabajó duro en Puerto Rico para lograr su sueño, y hoy es un beisbolista profesional con logros sorprendentes. ¡Como bateador y centro de campo, Beltrán ilumina el juego! Siga su travesía desde sus días de amateur a las Ligas Menores y luego como jugador profesional. Beltrán ha jugado para cuatro equipos de las Ligas Mayores y les ha mostrado todo lo que puede hacer en el campo. ¡En todas partes sus admiradores quieren ver más de Beltrán!
Francisco Cordero--o Coco, como es conocido por sus fanáticos y compañeros de juego--es un lanzador de nivel superior. Poncha a los bateadores con sus bolas rápidas y curvas. Ha conseguido muchas salvadas a través de los años como lanzador de cierre para Los Rangers, Los Cerveceros, y Los Rojos. Aunque empezó luchando contra la pobreza, Cordero hizo su parte y ahora ayuda a otros que están en ese proceso que el vivió. Es un jugador de las Grandes Ligas con la capacidad para llegar tan lejos como se proponga.
Hoy Miguel Tejada juega en el campo interno de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol. Él sido parte de equipos como Los Atléticos de Oakland, Los Orioles de Baltimore, Los Astros de Houston, Los Padres de San Diego, y Los Gigantes de San Francisco--pero creció bien lejos de estes equipos americanos, en la República Dominicana. Este deportista es una superestrella en el béisbol mundial, un jugador sorprendente, veloz y efectivo. Por eso le apodan "La Guagua"--¡porque sus compañeros saben que pueden contar con que "los llevará a casa"!
Jhonny Peralta ha tenido una sorprendente carrera beisbolistica. Ha jugado en el Juego de las Estrellas, y ha ganado premios y millones de dólares. La travesía de Peralta a la MLB empezó en su niñez en Quisqueya, cuando soñaba con llegar a las Mayores . . . se veía a si mismo vistiendo el uniforme de la MLB, jugando bajo las luces del estadio. Hoy Peralta ha vivido esos sueños. Conozca más sobre el recorrido de Peralta desde la República Dominicana, hasta pertenecer a las Grandes Ligas. Entérese como Peralta trabajó duro para alcanzar sus sueños sin dejar de ser él mismo.
