Andrew Pina – författare

Baseball players can make their careers look effortless. They lob balls into the stands and sprint around the bases easily. But behind these actions are years and years of practice honing the skills that got them into the major leagues. This high-interest volume is an insider''s guide of the path to the big leagues, from Little League to the MLB. Easy-to-follow drills and essential pro tips will interest the beginner and the seasoned ball player. Photographs of famous players as well as amateurs will further interest and enlighten young athletes.

Playing pro soccer is a lifetime in the making for many players. Some leave high school to play in pro development leagues. Others start playing seriously even younger! As one of the most popular youth sports in the United States, soccer and its career possibilities interest many readers. Full-color photographs of real soccer pros enhance this introduction to the worldwide phenomenon of pro soccer—and how one gets there. From David Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo, all soccer stars started somewhere, and readers learn what they can do to follow in their soccer heroes’ footsteps.

Which baseball player hit more home runs than any other player? Who holds the record for most stolen bases? What kinds of records can pitchers hold? The answers to these questions and many more are waiting to be discovered by readers, as they learn about the most famous records in one of the world’s most popular sports. Colorful photographs and informative biographies of stars from baseball’s past and present engage readers, and stat boxes allow them to practice interpreting charts to learn fun facts about baseball.

Many people know that Serena Williams has triumphed on the tennis court, challenging racist and sexist attitudes as she rose to the top of her sport. However, it may surprise readers to discover that she is also a humanitarian, an actress, and a fashion icon. With motivational quotes from Williams and a timeline of her milestones thus far, readers will enjoy learning more about this inspiring woman who is more than just a sports star.

The influence of African Americans on music in the United States cannot be overstated. A large variety of musical genres owe their beginnings to black musicians. Jazz, rap, funk, rhythm and blues, and even techno have roots in African American culture. This volume chronicles the history of African American music, with spotlights on influential black musicians of the past and present. Historical and contemporary photographs, including primary sources, contribute to an in-depth look at this essential part of American musical history.