At the Top of Their Game

Some athletes not only thrill their fans with their skill on the playing field but also inspire their followers by overcoming obstacles along the way. That combination has helped make such people icons in our culture. One of those great icons is baseball's Mookie Betts. The five-foot-nine Betts always displayed great athletic ability, but many considered him too small to climb up the sports ladder. However, Betts overcame those doubters to become one of his sport's best players. In 2018, he became the first ever American League player to win baseball's Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title, and World Series title in the same season. This biography tells the exciting story of the Boston Red Sox star, including the victory of his team in the 2018 World Series. This bio features stats, photographs, and the words of teammates, coaches, opponents, and Betts himself.

Richard Sherman starred in high school on both the athletic fields and in the classroom. He attended Stanford University, qualifying for that prestigious school both academically and athletically. He fell to the fifth round of the 2011 National Football League draft, but he turned into an All-Pro cornerback for the Seahawks. Along the way he became known for his shutdown play, his verbal skills, and for being a Super Bowl Champion. This biography will inspire your readers.

From a young age, Stephen Curry worked hard to achieve his dreams, no matter how lofty or unlikely they seemed. In this exhilarating biography, readers get the inside scoop on how a boy who was often deemed too small and too short to go pro became a standout three-point shooter, six-time NBA All-Star, and altogether revolutionary player for the sport of basketball. Stories that dig deep, illuminating sidebars, and entertaining facts all provide readers with an in-depth look at one of today's biggest sports stars.

Neymar is one of the most popular Brazilian soccer stars ever and one of the youngest players to achieve international acclaim. Beloved by his fans and feared by his opponents, Neymar is famous for his skills, and his antics, on and off the field. After playing for his hometown team and Brazil's national team, he moved on to top European teams. This biography delves into Neymar's background and how it gave rise to his soccer career. Photographs, sidebars, and firsthand quotes guide readers along his amazing journey.

Simone Biles is four foot eight, making her the shortest American athlete to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games. But Biles soars high above her competition and is one of the most decorated athletes in the world, with twenty-five competition medals between the Olympics and World Championships. This engaging biography delves into the early life of Biles, including her Texas roots and how she found a unique family with her adoptive parents Ron and Nellie. Appealing photographs and thought-provoking sidebars support the narrative. Readers will explore her demanding career as a gymnast, her tireless work ethic, the ups and downs of competition-level gymnastics, and what it takes to soar.

Ronda Rousey has overcome personal tragedy to become a star who brought mixed martial arts into the mainstream and who serves as an inspiration to others. An Olympic medalist in martial arts, Rousey made the switch to mixed martial arts in 2010. Dispatching opponents with lightning speed, she built a following that landed her in magazine spreads and in action movies. She lost her first professional bout in 2015, but is still her sport's top attraction.

National Football League quarterback Drew Brees has risen to become one of football's all-time greats, all while overcoming two devastating injuries as well as early doubts about his skills. The term "star athlete," however, only scratches the surface of the Drew Brees story. When he led the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl championship, Brees helped restore a sense of pride and hope to a city still recovering from the destructive forces of Hurricane Katrina. This biography delves into his background and football career, contributions to society, and success as a quarterback. Photographs and sidebars illuminate how Drew Brees continues to excel, inspiring others both on and off the field.

Soccer star Lionel Messi is one of the most famous and highest-paid athletes in the world, but it wasn't always that way. This biography traces Messi's footsteps from his middle-class neighborhood in Rosario, Argentina, to the soccer fields of Europe. Readers will learn of his introduction to a game that would make him rich, his early promise despite his small stature, the medical crisis that nearly derailed his career, and his move from home at thirteen to train in faraway Spain. Vivid photographs and sidebars that detail his distinguished career take readers on a fascinating journey. Along the way, readers will discover the secrets of Messi's success and what's next for the soccer star.