Channel the grit, resilience, and positivity of soccer icon Lionel Messi as you trace his journey to become one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Global superstar, FIFA Player of the Year, and TIME magazine's Athlete of the Year Lionel Messi's arrival in the States has brought inspiration, excitement, and star power to men's soccer. In Messi Mania, discover the seismic effect Leo has had on MLS and global soccer, woven through with fascinating insights into his family background, childhood, teenage years, and career to date.

Messi's career has been built on hard work, determination, and teamwork, but his early years in Argentina were tough, including personal challenges that almost ruined his dreams of becoming a pro soccer player. In this book by top soccer journalist, commentator, and lifelong fan Luis Miguel Echegaray, learn how Messi overcame these setbacks and went on to become one of the most successful, celebrated, and decorated soccer players ever.

Following his inspiring journey from Barcelona's youth academy to World Cup triumph with Argentina and then to MLS club Inter Miami, Messi Mania is the ultimate one-stop guide to a motivating and inspiring global soccer star.

Also discover Messi's:

• Brilliant breakthroughs - key points in Messi's young soccer life that helped him rise to prominence
• Awesome playing style - from his renowned dribbling, match vision, and strategy to his astonishing goal-scoring abilities
• Incredible insights - from coaches, teammates, and experts on what makes him an exceptional and talented player
• Impact off the pitch - his charitable work, philanthropy, and business ventures
• Valuable takeaways - life lessons that young people can learn from the tenacious, generous, and down-to-earth role model.

In Courage to Soar, the official autobiography from four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast Simone Biles, Simone shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance has made her one of the top athletes and gymnasts in the world--and how you too can overcome challenges in your life.

Simone Biles' entrance into the world of gymnastics may have started on a field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, but her God-given talent, along with drive to succeed no matter the obstacle, are what brought her to the national spotlight during the Olympic Games and have catapulted her ever since--including 25 World Championship medals. But there is more to Simone than her accomplishments.

In Courage to Soar, Simone shares:

• how she has relied on her faith and family to stay focused and positive
• the ways she's continued competing at the highest level and having fun doing what she loves
• a behind-the-scenes looks at gymnastics events, including the Olympics
• the events and challenges that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team
• Along the way, Simone shares the details of her inspiring personal story--one filled with daily acts of courage that led her, and can lead you, to even the most unlikely of dreams.

Courage to Soar:

• presents a positive role model for young girls, whether athletes or not
• is an ideal gift for birthdays, holidays, or to celebrate important achievements
• is perfect for school assignments and reports
• is an inspirational story for fans of gymnastics or any sport
• contains an eight-page, full-color photo insert
• includes an autographed, fold-out Courage to Soar poster (see image)

Scoring over 790 goals during his career so far, Christian Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Winning trophies as both a forward for Manchester United and Captain of the Portuguese national team, Ronaldo is one of the biggest names in football.

These books offers a fresh take on the familiar football biography format. So meet the footballers behind the iconic tackles and goals, and find out what makes each of these players so special.

This biography is one of the new titles in Leapfrog's Tales from the Pitch series.

• Each book focuses on one up-and-coming football superstar, often players who are still to reach the summit of their career.
  
• The players are from all walks of life and have faced failure, injury and rejection, making these moving and inspirational stories.
  
• The books are brimming with football banter that will have the knowing fans smiling.
  
• And each players story is littered with football tricks and tips, so readers can learn the arts of the glorious game.
  

At only 120 pages long, Tales from the Pitch are easy to read and very fast-paced reads.

From humble beginnings in Brazil to becoming part of the most feared attacking trio in world soccer, Neymar has come a long way. But his path to the top was far from straightforward. After overcoming an injury that nearly finished his career, he struggled with the burdens and frustrations of carrying the dreams of a nation, at the age of just 24. Join the new Prince of Santos as he embarks on a personal quest - and wins some of the biggest trophies in soccer on the way. Neymar plays for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and the Brazil National Team.

This biography is one of the new titles in Leapfrog's Tales from the Pitch series. These fast-moving reads offer a fresh take on the familiar football biography format.

• Each book focuses on one up-and-coming football superstar, often players who are still to reach the summit of their career.
  
• The players are from all walks of life and have faced failure, injury and rejection, making these moving and inspirational stories.
  
• The books are brimming with football banter that will have the knowing fans smiling.
  
• And each players story is littered with football tricks and tips, so readers can learn the arts of the glorious game.
  

At only 120 pages long, Tales from the Pitch are easy to read and very fast-paced reads. So, meet the footballers behind the iconic tackles and goals, and find out what makes each of these players so special.

This captivating book is more than just a biography. It's a treasure chest of life lessons, motivation, and hard-earned success that encourages readers to never give up on their dreams. Plus, the physical act of holding the book and turning the pages can improve motor skills!

Featuring:

More than just a biography, this book is a treasure chest of life lessons and motivationEncourages readers to never give up on their dreamsHelps improve motor skills through the physical act of holding the book and turning pagesPacked with beautifully crafted illustrations capturing the thrilling world of soccerPerfect for young fans eager to learn more about their favorite sportPenned by native English writers for a smooth and enjoyable reading experience

Take a front-row seat and experience the awe-inspiring journey of Lionel Messi like never before. Witness how dedication, passion, and humility can make dreams come true and inspire you to chase yours.

So, lovely parents, what are you waiting for? It's time to have your child go on an incredible adventure with Lionel Messi! Order the book today and let your child journey begin!

Who am I, beyond the board? Surf legend Maya Gabeira is famous for her nerve. Her surfing journey began at the age of fourteen and reached a high when she set (and later broke) a Guinness World Record for highest wave conquered by any big wave surfer--man or woman--after bouncing back from a near-fatal accident. Gabeira has been heralded as one of the top surfers of her generation. But who is the ferocious personality beyond the board? What are the stories behind the relationships and challenges that shaped her into the indomitable surfer, women's rights advocate, and champion for mental health awareness she is today?

For the first time ever, Maya looks back on her formative years: the romances, career highs, vulnerabilities, and setbacks that defined her at an early age. At seventeen, she left her home in Rio de Janeiro in order to chase waves around the world, toting a single backpack and waiting tables to get by. Maya carved her own path as a teen, defining her own remarkable narrative: that of a vulnerable, passionate, and driven young woman who learned never to flinch--even in the face of death.

October 20, 2018, was just another normal Saturday in college football - or so it seemed. Amid all the matchups discussed on ESPN that day, it was a special video featuring the harrowing story of Tyler Trent - along with his bold, yet accurate, prediction that Purdue would upset Ohio State - that captured the hearts of millions. The Upset chronicles so much more than just an inspiring battle against the seemingly impossible opponent of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. A brilliant young statistician and sportswriter, Tyler faced his own mortality, and his life reflects the remarkable eternal upset only experienced in faith, family, and authentic community.

Maggie Nichols's official memoir is an inspirational tell-all about the abuse she suffered under the US national gymnastics team and how she managed to redefine herself in the face of adversity.

With an introduction from Simone Biles.

In 2015, Maggie Nichols's gymnastics career was on fire.

Having trained most of her young life as an elite-level gymnast, Maggie carried the team all-around at the 2015 World Championships, helping to cinch the team gold medal. Next in her sights were the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She was eagerly looking forward to training for them along with teammates such as Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, and Laurie Hernandez. But on the verge of achieving her lifelong Olympic dream, her world came crashing down.

That summer Maggie revealed to her coach that USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar had been sexually abusing her and other athletes under his care. What followed was an extensive investigation that would capture the world's attention and illuminate the trauma and massive cover-up behind the scenes of one of America's most celebrated sports institutions.

Ultimately, Maggie would go on to become an eight-time NCAA champion and an outspoken advocate for the protection of young children, especially young athletes.

This inspirational memoir offers an intimate look into the world of elite gymnastics, the sexual abuse scandal that shattered lives and dreams, and how Maggie Nichols risked everything in the name of justice. Maggie now shares this story in her words: a story of hope, resilience, reclamation, and above all, triumph.

Messi was Barcelona's star player and one of the world's best footballer players. But as a boy he stopped growing at 11 and coaches worried he wasn't big enough.

Discover the story of how Messi proved them wrong and how this boy from South America fought to become possibly the greatest football player of all time.

This biography is one of the new titles in Leapfrog's Tales from the Pitch series. These fast-moving reads offer a fresh take on the familiar football biography format.

• Each book focuses on one up-and-coming football superstar, often players who are still to reach the summit of their career.
  
• The players are from all walks of life and have faced failure, injury and rejection, making these moving and inspirational stories.
  
• The books are brimming with football banter that will have the knowing fans smiling.
  
• And each players story is littered with football tricks and tips, so readers can learn the arts of the glorious game.
  

At only 120 pages long, Tales from the Pitch are easy to read and very fast-paced reads. So, meet the footballers behind the iconic tackles and goals, and find out what makes each of these players so special.

As a teenager, Kylian Mbappé was one of the best footballers on the planet. Now - he just keeps on getting better. Kylian's skill, pace and sensational finishing have fired his clubs and his country to incredible victories, whilst he has established himself firmly in the record books. Follow the whirlwind journey of this football-mad boy from Paris, who never let the weight of the world's expectations slow his journey to becoming a legend.

This fictionalised biography is one of the new titles in Leapfrog's Tales from the Pitch series.

• Each book focuses on one up-and-coming football superstar, often players who are still to reach the summit of their career.
• The players are from all walks of life and have faced failure, injury and rejection, making these moving and inspirational stories.
• The books are brimming with football banter that will have the knowing fans smiling.
• And each players story is littered with football tricks and tips, so readers can learn the arts of the glorious game.

At only 120 pages long, Tales from the Pitch are easy to read and very fast-paced reads.

Printed on cream paper with a dyslexia-friendly font, these are also ideal books for reluctant and dyslexic readers.

Highly acclaimed author Neal Bascomb brings his peerless research and fast-paced narrative style to a young adult adaptation of one of his most successful adult books of all time, The Perfect Mile, an inspiring and moving story of three men racing to achieve the impossible -- the perfect four-minute mile.

Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle-grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future.

There was a time when running the mile in four minutes was believed to be beyond the limits of human foot speed. In 1952, after suffering defeat at the Helsinki Olympics, three world-class runners each set out to break this barrier: Roger Bannister was a young English medical student who epitomized the ideal of the amateur; John Landy the privileged son of a genteel Australian family; and Wes Santee the swaggering American, a Kansas farm boy and natural athlete.

Spanning three continents and defying the odds, these athletes' collective quest captivated the world. Neal Bascomb's bestselling adult account adapted for young readers delivers a breathtaking story of unlikely heroes and leaves us with a lasting portrait of the twilight years of the golden age of sport.

In Courage to Soar, the official autobiography from four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast Simone Biles, Simone shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance has made her one of the top athletes and gymnasts in the world--and how you too can overcome challenges in your life.

Simone Biles' entrance into the world of gymnastics may have started on a field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, but her God-given talent, along with drive to succeed no matter the obstacle, are what brought her to the national spotlight during the Olympic Games and have catapulted her ever since--including 25 World Championship medals. But there is more to Simone than her accomplishments.

In this book Simone shares:

• how she has relied on her faith and family to stay focused and positive
• the ways she's continued competing at the highest level and having fun doing what she loves
• a behind-the-scenes looks at gymnastics events, including the Olympics
• the events and challenges that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team
• Along the way, Simone shares the details of her inspiring personal story--one filled with daily acts of courage that led her, and can lead you, to even the most unlikely of dreams.

Courage to Soar:

• presents a positive role model for young girls, whether athletes or not
• is an ideal gift for birthdays, holidays, or to celebrate important achievements
• is perfect for school assignments and reports
• is an inspirational story for fans of gymnastics or any sport
• contains an eight-page, full-color photo insert

The South Korean player Son Heung-min is now considered to be one of the best wingers in the world. Currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur as a winger and a striker, he is also captain of the South Korea National Team. Son was selected as one of the 30 best players in the world for 2019.

This biography is one of the new titles in Leapfrog's Tales from the Pitch series. These fast-moving reads offers a fresh take on the familiar football biography format.

• Each book focuses on one up-and-coming football superstar, often players who are still to reach the summit of their career.
  
• The players are from all walks of life and have faced failure, injury and rejection, making these moving and inspirational stories.
  
• The books are brimming with football banter that will have the knowing fans smiling.
  
• And each players story is littered with football tricks and tips, so readers can learn the arts of the glorious game.
  

At only 120 pages long, Tales from the Pitch are easy to read and very fast-paced reads. So meet the footballers behind the iconic tackles and goals, and find out what makes each of these players so special.

From the moment she picked up a tennis racquet, Coco Gauff was destined for greatness. Her parents believed so strongly in her future, they turned their lives upside down to make sure she had every opportunity to play the game she loved. One of the world's most prominent coaches thought so highly of Coco's talent, he brought her to train in France before she was even old enough for high school. And when she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon as a fifteen-year-old, she beat her idol Venus Williams in the first round, becoming an international sensation in the blink of an eye.

But the road from teenage tennis prodigy to Grand Slam champion isn't easy. As Coco started her journey on the Women's Tennis Association Tour she found it difficult to deal with the expectations of becoming America's next superstar. She also struggled to beat the top players in the game--number one ranked Iga Swiatek most of all.

To break through and become a Grand Slam champion, Coco had to overcome disappointments, criticisms, and a loss of confidence in her game. This is the story of how perseverance, self-belief, and a willingness to try new things led to a historic run of success in the summer of 2023 that culminated with a US Open title.

Strong, quick, and physically dominant - Erling Haaland is the Manchester City striker who has it all. From an early age, his impatience and his determination to succeed always singled him out as a player to watch. This is the inspiring story of how a boy from Bryne in Norway used his extraordinary skill and his total self-belief to become one of the greatest strikers in the world.

This biography is one of the new titles in Leapfrog's Tales from the Pitch series. These fast-moving reads offer a fresh take on the familiar football biography format.

• Each book focuses on one up-and-coming football superstar, often players who are still to reach the summit of their career.
  
• The players are from all walks of life and have faced failure, injury and rejection, making these moving and inspirational stories.
  
• The books are brimming with football banter that will have the knowing fans smiling.
  
• And each players story is littered with football tricks and tips, so readers can learn the arts of the glorious game.
  

At only 120 pages long, Tales from the Pitch are easy to read and very fast-paced reads. So, meet the footballers behind the iconic tackles and goals, and find out what makes each of these players so special.

Robert Lewandowski is one of the best strikers of his generation - but his journey to the top wasn't always easy. Finding himself without a club at the age of 17, Robert had no choice but to claw his way upthrough the ranks of Polish football. It led him to the top of one of the world's toughest leagues, the German Bundesliga.

Join Robert on his unwavering mission to become one of the greatest players of all time.

This biography is one of the new titles in Leapfrog's Tales from the Pitch series. These fast-moving reads offer a fresh take on the familiar football biography format.

• Each book focuses on one up-and-coming football superstar, often players who are still to reach the summit of their career.
  
• The players are from all walks of life and have faced failure, injury and rejection, making these moving and inspirational stories.
  
• The books are brimming with football banter that will have the knowing fans smiling.
  
• And each players story is littered with football tricks and tips, so readers can learn the arts of the glorious game.
  

At only 120 pages long, Tales from the Pitch are easy to read and very fast-paced reads. So, meet the footballers behind the iconic tackles and goals, and find out what makes each of these players so special.

In this visually arresting graphic novel, surfer and illustrator AJ Dungo remembers his late partner, her battle with cancer, and their shared love of surfing that brought them strength throughout their time together. With his passion for surfing uniting many narratives, he intertwines his own story with those of some of the great heroes of surf in a rare work of nonfiction that is as moving as it is fascinating.