Tim Duncan might just be the greatest power forward in NBA history, and strangely enough, he almost never learned how to play the game. Duncan's first love was swimming, but when a devastating hurricane left his training area in polluted ruins, he turned to basketball. Hard work and a great talent for the game would take him on a journey from his hometown of Christiansted in the Virgin Islands to Wake Forest and ultimately to the San Antonio Spurs. Duncan has led the Spurs to four championships, winning the NBA Final's Most Valuable Player award on three occasions. He has been chosen for the NBA's All-Star team 13 times, and was named the league MVP in 2002 and 2003. Despite his quiet demeanor, Tim has become a dominant force on the hardwood. He has also found success away from the game in family life with his wife Amy and their two children, as well as in his work with the Tim Duncan Foundation.
In 1993, when two young, unknown actors named Matt Damon and Ben Affleck couldn't get the movie parts they wanted, the lifelong friends decided to write their own screenplay. To their surprise, Good Will Hunting, a story about a blue-collar math whiz, became a box office hit after it premiered in 1997. It won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and Matt became one of the hottest young actors in Hollywood. Since then, Matt has starred in many memorable films, such as Saving Private Ryan, The Departed, and Invictus. One of his most successful roles is that of assassin Jason Bourne, a character he played in three hit films. Matt likes to keep his personal life private. However, he doesn't hesitate to use his celebrity to help others. Among the groups he supports are the ONE Campaign and H2O Africa Foundation, which are charitable organizations working to improve living conditions in Africa.
Adam Sandler is one of the world's most popular actors, and is known for his wildly creative sense of humor, which launched him to television and film stardom. He first became famous as a cast member on Saturday Night Live during the early 1990s. Fans loved the wacky characters Sandler created on the show, such as Cajun Man and Operaman. They were also impressed with the bravery he showed by being willing to do anything to make people laugh. Sandler used that same comedic genius to become a star in movies such as The Waterboy, Big Daddy, and Grown Ups. He has also made films like Reign Over Me, which show he is a fine dramatic actor. And Sandler not only acts in movies but also makes them. He started Happy Madison Productions so he could create films that reflect his unique sense of what is funny.
Alfonso Soriano has had a great career in baseball. He has won two World Series and played in the All-Star Game seven times. He's even part of the 40-40 club for hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in one season. Not many baseball players can say they've done the things that Soriano has! Learn about Soriano's path from playing baseball in the Dominican Republic to making it in the Major Leagues. Explore the life story of one of baseball's most successful players!
Not many baseball players are as famous as Alex Rodriguez. All around the world, baseball fans know the name "A Rod." He has been playing baseball in the Major Leagues for more than fifteen years, and in that time, he's played in the All-Star Game fourteen times. He's been named Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, and he's won a World Series. Rodriguez has done just about everything in baseball! Learn about one of baseball's biggest stars. Find out how A Rod became the player fans know today.
Hanley Ramírez se ha convertido en una de las más grandes estrellas del béisbol. El joven jugador solo ha pertenecido a las Mayores desde el 2005, pero ya ha hecho muchas cosas que otros jugadores sueñan con hacer. Ramírez fue nombrado el Novato del Año, ha jugado en el Juego de las Estrellas tres veces, ha recibido premios, y ha ganado millones. Lea sobre la travesía de Ramírez desde la República Dominicana hasta llegar a las Ligas Mayores. Conozca cómo Ramírez se convirtió en el jugador que a los fans les encanta ver jugar hoy por hoy. Aprenda la historia de como un chico dominicano se convirtió en una de las nuevas estrellas del béisbol.
Plácido Polanco has worked hard to reach his dreams in baseball. He's played in the World Series and in the All-Star Game. He's known for his amazing glove and great defense. Learn about Polanco's journey from playing baseball in the Dominican Republic to making it in the Major Leagues. Discover the life story of one of baseball's hardest-working players!
Robinson Canó has had an amazing life in baseball. He's won the World Series. He's played in All-Star Games, won awards, and made millions of dollars. He's played for one of baseball's most popular teams, the New York Yankees. He's even won the Home Run Derby. Read how Canó learned to love baseball from his father, José. Follow Canó's journey from playing baseball in a Dominican high school to playing in the Major Leagues. Explore the life of one of baseball's biggest stars--and find out how he went from big dreams to the big leagues.
Baseball fans around the world know "Big Papi." David Ortiz is one of the greatest baseball players in the world. He's broken records and won awards, and his face is seen in magazines and on television. At the same time, he's built both a family and a charitable foundation. David is living out the dreams he had when he was growing up in the Dominican Republic. Read David's story--and find out how he traveled from the Dominican Republic all the way to the Big Leagues. Discover how he came to be the Big Papi that fans adore!
Venus and Serena Williams grew up in Compton, California where they sometimes heard gunfire as they learned how to play tennis at a local playground. As teenagers, they grew into athletic women whose powerful serves often overwhelmed their opponents. In time, each sister would climb to the top rankings of international women's tennis. They have also maintained interests off the court; Venus has become a successful interior designer, while Serena has taken several acting roles and also designs women's fashions. But there have been dark days for the two sisters as well. Both have had to deal with racism, and to endure nagging injuries that have sidelined them for months. They also experienced the tragedy of a sister murdered on the streets of Compton. Venus and Serena have stayed competitive, however, and each is committed to remaining among the best players on the women's tennis tour for many more years.
In his 20 years as a NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon has established himself as one of the greatest drivers in the sports history. Jeff has won four championships and more than $100 million in his career. He ranks among the top drivers on the all-time wins list with more than 80 victories. This book details Jeffs many successes, both on and off the racetrack. It discusses how he rose to NASCAR fame, from his first BMX bike to his famous number 24 car. Along with his championship titles, Jeff has won the Daytona 500 three times and many other famed races. Off the track Jeff is involved with several charitable organizations. His achievements have amazed NASCAR fans, and he's not yet ready to slow down.
Sheryl Swoopes established herself as one of the best basketball players in the world while she was still in college at Texas Tech. In 1997 she was the first player signed to a new all-women's professional basketball league, the WNBA. During her career in the WNBA, Sheryl led her team to four championships, was voted Most Valuable Player three times, and was a perennial player in the annual All-Star game. She also earned three Olympic gold medals while playing for the U.S. national team. Sheryl is one of the most decorated basketball players in history, but she is also a role model for young people everywhere. This book details Sheryl's many successes, both on and off the court, and discusses how she became one of the best and most influential basketball players.
Soccer is probably the world's most popular spectator sport. Yet Major League Soccer, a professional league in the United States, has never received much attention even though millions of youngsters enjoy the game on playgrounds and in organized leagues. Hoping to change that situation, in 2007 the Los Angeles Galaxy signed superstar David Beckham to a five-year, $250 million contract. The league hoped that his celebrity status will help make soccer more appealing in the United States. Beckham's arrival did boost the profile of soccer, and he helped the Galaxy win several league championships. But David Beckham is more than just a superb soccer player. He contributes time and money to charity to try to save lives in the poorest parts of the world. And he encourages youngsters to enjoy soccer as much as he does through academies he has opened across the globe.
Many basketball experts consider Michael Jordan the greatest player in the history of the game. During his 15 seasons in the NBA, Michael was voted the league's Most Valuable Player six times. He was the league's leading scorer for a record 10 times. And, most important, he led his team, the Chicago Bulls, to six NBA championship titles. But Michael Jordan is much more than a basketball legend. Through his winning personality, his sense of style, and his many product endorsements - along with his on-court heroics - Michael became one of the most recognized personalities in the entire world. He helped define what it meant to be cool for a generation of kids. Today Michael remains involved in the NBA as owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. By supporting a variety of charities, he continues to be a role model as well.
Joe and his friend Skip are enjoying the thrill of the Big Dip, a famous rollercoaster, until they learn the old man in front of them has been shot. The old man mutters with his dying breath something about getting a Margaret Rose to the police. Joe leaves the crime scene to get on with his life. But someone is desperate for the Margaret Rose and thinks Joe has it. When his sister is kidnapped, Joe is in a race against time to solve the puzzle.
Using the graphics, students can activate prior knowledge--bridge what they already know with what they have yet to learn. Graphically illustrated biographies also teach inference skills, character development, dialogue, transitions, and drawing conclusions. Graphic biographies in the classroom provide an intervention with proven success for the struggling reader.
Warm illustrations convey the deep bond between an old man and his six cats while teaching the reader about the cycle of life.
When a young boy leaves his muffin beside a sleeping homeless man, a cycle of goodwill begins. Without a single written word, this book effectively teaches about helping, sharing, and caring.
Zack Freedman has complete control and feels a sense of calm on the high wire. If only he could say the same about the rest of his life. His fellow youth circus performer and roommate, Cubby, hates him, and his aunt dumps a yappy, excitable dog on him. When a necklace is stolen during a circus performance and the victim of the theft threatens to shut down the circus, Zack is desperate to solve the mystery so he can keep his place on the wire.
Owen has a crush on Kamryn. Kamryn has a crush on Owen's brother Kyle. Owen knows extreme action is necessary to make sure Kamryn does not end up dating his brother, a jerk who manipulates every situation to get what he wants. So what does Owen do? He manipulates the situation. With the help of his friend Hannah, Owen sets up a blog called The Oracle that gives out relationship advice to local teens. Everything seems to be going great. Hannah and Owen are having fun, and Kamryn seems to be following The Oracle's advice and taking an interest in Owen. Owen thinks he's got it made, but he soon discovers that fraudulent tactics have their consequences.
Ever since he was small, Franklin has been soothed by fire. Staring into the flames helps Franklin forget his problems. And right now, he's got a lot to forget. Franklin's mother has left the family home to be with her hairdresser boyfriend. Franklin's father, the mayor of Montreal West, is too busy worrying about his public image to do anything about the family. As a rash of local fires competes with upcoming elections for media attention, Franklin's father has to work hard to keep the public happy. And Franklin has to reconsider his romance with fire.
Dan Hogg is thrilled when his uncle offers him some work at a food fair, because he wants money to hire a professional trainer to help him with his scrawny physique. His excitement vanishes when he learns that the job is dressing up in a hotdog costume and handing out samples. Every dark cloud has its lining, Dan discovers, when he, or rather Frank Lee Better, his mascot persona, gains the attention of a pretty girl named Brooke. The attention is great until Dan finds himself under attack from Cupcake Katie and a mysterious guy with a strange interest in Brooke. It's not until he's huddling in a bathroom in his tight white underwear that Dan begins to suspect Brooke's attention might be too good to be true.
At first Kaz intends to help the old lady who's fallen in the park. But then he starts thinking about how he never gets what he wants. The next thing he knows, he's running away with her purse. The purse contains only five dollars and a battered watch. When Kaz learns who the old woman is and where the watch came from, he begins to understand consequences in a new way.
Life is full of challenges for thirteen-year-old Liza. She is already having trouble coping with the death of a local homeless man when she learns that her family's apple tree will need to be chopped down. If that wasn't enough, the new principal at school keeps blocking her attempts for a positive outlet by refusing permission for every project that GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) and BRRR! (Boys for Renewable Resources, Really!) proposes. Liza starts to feel like she needs to create change in her world without seeking permission. When she chooses the school grounds as the site for her latest endeavor, she may have gone too far.
Left alone for the first time on the island he calls home, Simon is looking forward to a day of personal indulgence. His sister Ellen only wants to make sure they get their chores done. Their parents are busy trying to convince the government not to close the lighthouse that the family operates, and it's up to the kids to make sure everything runs smoothly. Neither Simon nor Ellen is prepared for the mysterious and potentially dangerous visitor who brings with him an unexpected storm and a riddle that may lead to treasure - treasure that could help them save the lighthouse. Simon and Ellen have to work together to solve the riddle before the stranger or the weather destroys their chances.
