Epic Athletes

Bestselling author Dan Wetzel delivers an action-packed biography of the legendary quarterback and Super Bowl champ in Epic Athletes: Tom Brady. Throughout over two decades, Tom Brady has led his teams to seven Super Bowl championships and earned three Most Valuable Player Awards, arguably cementing his status as the greatest quarterback of all time. From the moment Tom Brady stepped on the NFL gridiron, pro football was forever changed. A star, a legend, a future hall-of-famer was born. Over the years, he mounted comeback after comeback win, finding the open man for a touchdown just when victory seemed out of reach. In this inspirational biography of a living legend, acclaimed sports writer and bestselling author Dan Wetzel chronicles Tom Brady's rise from a backup quarterback at the University of Michigan to an MVP on the biggest stage in sports--the Super Bowl. Praise for Epic Athletes * "An unusually informative and enjoyable sports biography for young readers." ―Booklist, starred review for Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Renowned sports journalist Dan Wetzel shoots and scores with Epic Athletes: Lionel Messi, an inspiring young readers biography of a soccer great who rose from an underdog to a champion! Lionel Messi has taken the soccer world by storm. He scored the most goals in a season. He's racked up championships. There was even a statue built in his honor. Despite the accolades, he's still hungry for more goals, more championships, more opportunities to shine on the soccer pitch. Messi's drive to succeed has motivated him ever since he first stepped on his local, worn down field as a kid. Yet his success didn't come without bumps in the road. Diagnosed with a career-threatening medical condition at ten, Messi refused to give up on his dream, and went on to amass one of the greatest careers in sports history. Filled with sports action this thrilling biography details the rise of a living soccer legend. Praise for Epic Athletes: "An unusually informative and enjoyable sports biography for young readers." ―Booklist, starred review for Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry Alex Caparros/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

Kicking off his new series of sports biographies for young readers, journalist Dan Wetzel tells the inspiring true life story of a US Women's Soccer star in Epic Athletes: Alex Morgan. Fierce competitor. World Cup winner. Role model. U.S. Women's Soccer star Alex Morgan has earned each of these impressive titles throughout her incredible career. As a young girl growing up in Southern California, she dreamed of being a professional soccer player, fighting to compete on the international stage against the world's greatest athletes. Flash forward to the present and Alex Morgan has emerged as the face of U.S. Women's soccer, famous for her clutch, late-game goals, and an inspiration to kids across the country. Bestselling author Dan Wetzel details the rise of an American champion in this uplifting biography for young readers. Praise for Epic Athletes * "An unusually informative and enjoyable sports biography for young readers." ―Booklist, starred review for Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry

Epic Athletes: Serena Williams is an inspiring middle-grade biography of the most celebrated women's tennis player ever from acclaimed sports journalist Dan Wetzel! Serena Williams is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. From growing up in a tough neighborhood to combatting racism to weathering severe health issues, there is no challenge she can't defeat, no hurdle that will get in the way of her unwavering desire to be the best tennis player in the world. As a little girl, Serena spent years training at her local court with her father and older sister, Venus, dreaming of one day winning Grand Slam titles and earning the number one ranking in the world. After more than twenty years of dominating the world of tennis, there's no doubt that Serena has made her dreams come true. In this inspiring biography, bestselling author Dan Wetzel brings to life the story of an athlete and trailblazer who broke records and racial barriers. This uplifting biography of the most celebrated women's tennis player of all time is sure to be a hit with young sports fans across the country. Praise for Epic Athletes * "An unusually informative and enjoyable sports biography for young readers." ―Booklist, starred review for Epic Athletes: Stephen Curry Shutterstock/Leonard Zhukovsky

In this uplifting middle-grade biography, acclaimed sports journalist Dan Wetzel tackles the real-life story of the NFL's brightest rising star, quarterback Patrick Mahomes! In 2018, Patrick Mahomes stepped onto the gridiron as the new, inexperienced quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Just twenty-two-years old at the time, football fans wondered if this young man could live up to lofty expectations. Little did they know, a star was about to be born. By season's end, Patrick threw a whopping fifty touchdowns, the youngest to ever do so, and took his team nearly all the way to the Super Bowl. And the next season, he became the youngest quarterback ever to win Super Bowl MVP! With limitless potential, Patrick not only emerged as the NFL's most dynamic and exciting player, but he's also become a role model to kids across the country. Filled with sports action , this inspiring biography tells the story of the new king of pro football. Praise for Epic Athletes * "Wetzel knows how to organize the facts and tell a good story. [A]n unusually informative and enjoyable sports biography for young readers." ―Booklist, starred review "Dan Wetzel has a winning formula in his Epic Athletes series, sure to appeal to young sports fans." ―The Buffalo News AP Photo/David Zalubowski