Showing titles in Sports & Recreation

Before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, Negro Leagues Baseball was the only game in town for black athletes. And those leagues owed their existence and success to savvy businesspeople like Effa Manley, the black female co-owner of the Newark Eagles. Effa was the team's business manager, leading her team to win the Negro World Series in 1946. But this victory was bittersweet: Integration was on its way, and the demise of the Negro Leagues would soon follow.

Bethany Hamilton learned to surf when she was three years old, and she joined—and won—many surfing competitions as a child. When she was thirteen, while she was surfing one morning, a shark suddenly attacked her and bit off her left arm. Through hard work, courage, and faith, Bethany persisted and went on to reach her dream of becoming a professional surfer. Along the way, she used her experience to provide inspiration and comfort to surfers and non-surfers alike.

In 1980 the Soviet Union had dominated the world of hockey for nearly 30 years. Nobody thought the USSR's hockey team could be beaten in the Winter Olympics. But US Hockey coach Herb Brooks didn't believe that. He pulled together a ragtag team of amateur hockey players and molded them into a team that could compete with the best teams in the world.

Fauja Singh was born determined. He was also born with legs that wouldn't allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn't stop him. Working on his family's farm, Fauja grew stronger to meet his own full potential. He never stopped striving. At the age of 81, after a lifetime of making his body, mind, and heart stronger, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the grueling long-distance race.

In this book, you will learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest ambassadors, Yao Ming. Yao Ming was the face of the Houston Rockets franchise alongside Tracy McGrady. Throughout the 2000s, the duo led the Rockets in a tough Western Conference. While Yao ultimately was forced to retire early due to injuries, the impact he left on the game at an international level was profound.

“Big Ben” Roethlisberger led his Pittsburgh Steelers to a Super Bowl win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2006 when he was a mere 23 years old—the youngest pro quarterback ever to do the deal. Only three years later, he aired it out and won the biggest Bowl again versus the Arizona Cardinals. The second time around was a lot tighter for Ben and tense Steeler fans as he waited until literally the last minute to find Santonio Holmes for the clinching score. But don’t think that Ben only plays football. He’s got his own line of barbeque sauce, “Big Ben’s BBQ”, and started a ...

Born into a footballing family, Leah Williamson followed in the footsteps of her mother who cut her hair short so she could play with the boys. Williamson began playing at Scot Youth, a boys' team in Bletchley, quickly becoming their star striker. Williamson went on to join Rushden & Diamonds Centre of Excellence, before joining Arsenal at the age of nine, where she has remained, making her senior team debut in 2014 at the age of 17. Representing England since 2010, Williamson has played at an international level since the age of 13, and was made permanent captain of the Lionesses in 2022.

Alex Morgan helped the US Women's National Team to victory in the 2012 Olympics and the 2015 Women's World Cup. This title's listener-friendly text and critical thinking questions will attract young soccer fans.

Meet our fearless adventurers Cassandra, Otto and Missy AKA the smartest raven in the universe as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! Get ready, set, go! On this adventure, we're going to learn about some incredible sporting heroes! Grab your trainers as we're going to meet some amazing athletes, from top tennis legends to speedy formula one racers.

In Dwyane Wade: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Shooting Guards, you'll hear about the inspirational story of basketball's star, Dwyane Wade. Dwyane Wade has served as the face of the Miami Heat franchise for over a decade, having led the Heat to an incredible 2006 NBA Championship alongside Shaquille O'Neal.

Adapted for young listeners! Join two-time Women's World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, and trailblazing activist Megan Rapinoe in the fight for equality and justice in this middle-grade adaptation of her New York Times best-selling memoir, One Life.

Harry Kane is now regarded as one of the top attackers in the world. The English marksman isn’t just a poacher; he’s also developed a creative side to his game over the years, frequently presenting opportunities for his teammates. Kane has proven his worth in the Premier League by winning several golden boots and breaking numerous records. Harry Kane took the long road, and he has been beaten, shaped, and remodeled into the world-class striker he is today, leading the English national team to one of their best World Cup campaigns in a long time.

As an energetic six-year-old, Beth Mead was taken to a weekly local football session by her mum. Finding a passion for the game, Beth often found herself as the only girl on the team. Despite being laughed at for this, she let her natural talent do the talking. At 16, Mead was signed to Sunderland where she made a name for herself as a top goalscorer. Putting off offers from Arsenal until she completed her university degree, Mead continued juggling work, study and football until she graduated. She then signed to Arsenal and earned a place as a Lioness, representing the England national team.

It's easy to see the dominant athlete that Kawhi Leonard has become and think it was always this way. But that's not the case. Kawhi never fit the stereotypical profile of an NBA Star. He didn't fit the mold of a classic guard or forward and his reserved personality came off as combative and uninterested. Kawhi has built his own brand, and he's done it in his own style. A fiercely loyal and quiet star he is a welcome breath of fresh air in a world where stars are all over social media. In Kawhi Leonard we go deeper to see what drives the NBA's most dominant player. From his father being ...

Moments of stress and pressure reveal a person's true potential. Most of us unlock talents we never knew lay dormant within us. Those nail-biting matches in the sports fields are more than a display of the athletes' physical prowess. They reflect how one overcomes adversity with unwavering dedication, confronting personal challenges. From Michael Jordan's pursuit of greatness to Mia Hamm's trajectory from rejection to international acclaim, each story tells us something about the invincible human spirit.

In Vince Carter: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Most Dynamic Shooting Guards, you'll hear about the inspirational story of basketball's premier shooting guard, Vince Carter. Vince Carter put the Toronto Raptors franchise on the map starting in the late 1990s and into the early 2000s. In an age filled with greats like Shaq, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and Steve Nash, Carter has played in one of the most exciting eras of modern basketball.

As the stadium rocked and swayed with the energy of thousands of fans and a TV audience of millions Dabo sat quietly at the front of his team. They knew what the “experts” thought would happen, but Dabo also knew he had dealt with tougher opponents and came out successful. Dabo Swinney is something of the poster boy for college football coaches. An energetic football coach who openly talks about his love of his players and embraces the fun of the game, while other coaches sit stone-faced and act as professionals. In Bring Your Own Guts you will hear the path that has lead Dabo to one of...

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge became a fan favorite in his rookie season with the team. This title's engaging text and critical-thinking questions will attract young baseball fans.

In 1927, Babe Ruth stepped up to the plate and looked history in the eye. With each swing of the bat, his towering legacy grew larger. Ball after ball sailed into the seats and the race for 60 home runs was on. Join the Bambino as he swings for the fences, chasing down one of the greatest baseball records of all time.

At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, the last thing Adolf Hitler expected was to see a black man compete and win. But Jesse Owens didn't just win. He was dominant in the track and field events, winning four gold medals and helping to set a world record. Now listeners can witness one of the most iconic moments in sports history as Owens proves that people of all races can compete and win at the Olympic games.