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[(On the Field with Mia Hamm )] [Author: Matt Christopher] [Sep-1999]
Mia Hamm helped the 1996 Olympic team win the gold medal in soccer. Now for her fans and those who would like to know more about this fantastic athlete, this insightful story presents her complete story.
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First published September 1, 1998
18 people are currently reading
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About the author
Matt Christopher
435 books141 followersMatt Christopher is the writer young readers turn to when they're looking for fast-paced, action-packed sports novels. He is the best-selling author of more than one hundred sports books for young readers.
Matt Christopher is America's bestselling sports writer for children, with more than 100 books and sales approaching six million copies. In 1992, Matt Christopher talked about being a children's book author.
"I became interested in writing when I was 14, a freshman in high school. I was selling magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post, Country Gentleman, and Liberty, and I would read the stories, particularly the adventure and mystery stories, and think how wonderful it would be to be able to write stories and make a living at it. I also read detective, horror, aviation, and sports stories and decided I would try writing them myself.
Determined to sell, I wrote a detective story a week for 40 weeks, finding the time to marry, work, and play baseball and basketball before I sold my first story in 1941, "The Missing Finger Points," for $50 to Detective Story magazine.
After writing and selling children's sports stories to magazines, I decided to write a baseball book for children. I was living in Syracuse, New York at the time, working at General Electric. I spoke about my idea to the branch librarian. She was immediately interested and told me that they needed sports stories badly. So I came up with my first children's book, The Lucky Baseball Bat. I submitted it to Little, Brown, and the book was published in 1954.
I'm sure that playing sandlot baseball and then semiprofessional baseball with a Class C club in the Canadian-American League influenced my writing. I had my own personal experiences, and I saw how other players reacted to plays, to teammates' and fans' remarks and innuendoes, to managers' orders, etc. All these had a great influence on my writing. My love of the game helped a lot, too, of course.
Out of all the books I've written, my favorite is The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. It's a fantasy, but the main character in it could be real. There are a lot of boys who would love to play baseball but, for some reason, cannot. The only difference between a real-life boy and Sylvester Coddmyer III is the appearance of a character named George Baruth, whom only Sylvester can see and who helps Sylvester become a good ballplayer.
I've written many short stories and books for both children and adults, and find that writing for children is really my niche. Being the eldest of nine children (seven boys and two girls), I've lived through a lot of problems many children live through, and I find these problems excellent examples to include in my books.
Sports have made it possible for me to meet many people with all sorts of life stories, on and off the field, and these are grist for this writer's mill. I'm far beyond playing age now, but I manage to go to both kids' and adult games just to keep up with them, and keep them fresh in my mind.Very few things make me happier than receiving fan letters from boys and girls who write that they had never cared for reading until they started to read my books. That is just about the ultimate in writing for children. I would never trade it for another profession."
Matt Christopher died on September 27, 1997. His legacy is now being carried on by his sons, Duane and Dale Christopher.
Matt Christopher is America's bestselling sports writer for children, with more than 100 books and sales approaching six million copies. In 1992, Matt Christopher talked about being a children's book author.
"I became interested in writing when I was 14, a freshman in high school. I was selling magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post, Country Gentleman, and Liberty, and I would read the stories, particularly the adventure and mystery stories, and think how wonderful it would be to be able to write stories and make a living at it. I also read detective, horror, aviation, and sports stories and decided I would try writing them myself.
Determined to sell, I wrote a detective story a week for 40 weeks, finding the time to marry, work, and play baseball and basketball before I sold my first story in 1941, "The Missing Finger Points," for $50 to Detective Story magazine.
After writing and selling children's sports stories to magazines, I decided to write a baseball book for children. I was living in Syracuse, New York at the time, working at General Electric. I spoke about my idea to the branch librarian. She was immediately interested and told me that they needed sports stories badly. So I came up with my first children's book, The Lucky Baseball Bat. I submitted it to Little, Brown, and the book was published in 1954.
I'm sure that playing sandlot baseball and then semiprofessional baseball with a Class C club in the Canadian-American League influenced my writing. I had my own personal experiences, and I saw how other players reacted to plays, to teammates' and fans' remarks and innuendoes, to managers' orders, etc. All these had a great influence on my writing. My love of the game helped a lot, too, of course.
Out of all the books I've written, my favorite is The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. It's a fantasy, but the main character in it could be real. There are a lot of boys who would love to play baseball but, for some reason, cannot. The only difference between a real-life boy and Sylvester Coddmyer III is the appearance of a character named George Baruth, whom only Sylvester can see and who helps Sylvester become a good ballplayer.
I've written many short stories and books for both children and adults, and find that writing for children is really my niche. Being the eldest of nine children (seven boys and two girls), I've lived through a lot of problems many children live through, and I find these problems excellent examples to include in my books.
Sports have made it possible for me to meet many people with all sorts of life stories, on and off the field, and these are grist for this writer's mill. I'm far beyond playing age now, but I manage to go to both kids' and adult games just to keep up with them, and keep them fresh in my mind.Very few things make me happier than receiving fan letters from boys and girls who write that they had never cared for reading until they started to read my books. That is just about the ultimate in writing for children. I would never trade it for another profession."
Matt Christopher died on September 27, 1997. His legacy is now being carried on by his sons, Duane and Dale Christopher.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 29, 2018
I loved this book because it talks about a famous soccer player called Mia Hamm and I love soccer so it really realtes to me because I love playing this sport. It really shows how Mia is a really great soccer player and person. I loved this book I think more people should read it.
December 4, 2020
I loved this book! It was an easy read and was about one of the greatest women’s soccer player!
January 28, 2014
On the field with Mia Hamm is a sports book and it was written by Matt Christopher. The main character is Mia Hamm. She wanted to be a soccer player when she was little. But her parents wanted her to try other sports. So Mia Hamm decided to try the sports out but she didn't like it. Then her parents decided to put Mia Hamm in a soccer team.
I feel about this book is that It helps people that want to learn how to play soccer or try to get inspire to be like Mia Hamm. Mia Hamm dad is in the Air Force And was never arounded and Mia mom Stephanie was a ballet teacher and she didn't play sports at all. The biggest fear her parents are her getting hurt. It was published sep.1.1988.
What surprise me about the book was the ending. I will not tell you because I don't want to give it out. But the thing is that it is shocking Mia Hamm will not do it but she did. Cause she wanted to.
I didnt like the ending because it was hurtful the way she did it.
I wonder if she will start to play more. So she can teach other people.
I will give this book a 4 cause it got my attention. Also cause it was a really good book to read. Plus who does not like sports book. This book gave a lot of details about Mia Hamm.
At last i will recommend this book to the people that like SOCCER cause this gives you alot of info you need to know about Mia Hamm. This book will gave your attention really quick. Like it got my attention. I hope the people that love sport should read books from Matt Christopher.
I feel about this book is that It helps people that want to learn how to play soccer or try to get inspire to be like Mia Hamm. Mia Hamm dad is in the Air Force And was never arounded and Mia mom Stephanie was a ballet teacher and she didn't play sports at all. The biggest fear her parents are her getting hurt. It was published sep.1.1988.
What surprise me about the book was the ending. I will not tell you because I don't want to give it out. But the thing is that it is shocking Mia Hamm will not do it but she did. Cause she wanted to.
I didnt like the ending because it was hurtful the way she did it.
I wonder if she will start to play more. So she can teach other people.
I will give this book a 4 cause it got my attention. Also cause it was a really good book to read. Plus who does not like sports book. This book gave a lot of details about Mia Hamm.
At last i will recommend this book to the people that like SOCCER cause this gives you alot of info you need to know about Mia Hamm. This book will gave your attention really quick. Like it got my attention. I hope the people that love sport should read books from Matt Christopher.
November 14, 2014
I read the book Mia Hamm by Matt Christopher. This was a really good book about Mia's soccer career and life. My favorite part in this biography was when it talked about how Mia's team went to the Olympics in 1996. Their team won the whole entire thing and where Olympic gold medalist! I also enjoyed learning about all the training camps she went to before the World Cup tryouts. I recommend this book to everyone and especially big soccer fans. If you have read books about Hope Solo or other soccer players then you will like this book!
April 6, 2016
Mia Hamm is one of the most amazing football player ever. She's aggressive, competitive which really inspires me. She has fought and worked really hard to be where she is today. She has trained so hard to be one of the greatest players ever. When Mia Hamm plays you can really tell that she's working really hard. She does everything she can while she plays and that is why her team mates love having her on their team. Mia Hamm is someone that I look up to.
December 20, 2013
I think any of my students who love soccer will love this book. I struggled with all the soccer play by plays and stats because I don't know much about soccer, but this is still a good little book. I wanted to know a bit more about her brother Garrett, but maybe that is in a different book about Hamm.
December 21, 2015
I loved this book about Mia Hamm its really interesting if you enjoy or play soccer! She was one of the greatest soccer players. It tells all about her and her journey to being a soccer player. It also gives tips and some of her personal stories. I do recommend this book for anyone who likes sports and I would probably read this book again!
December 5, 2013
This was a very inspiring book and I think it could touch the lives of many young students. A lot of the times I find that biographies are boring and I just cannot stay interested. However, with this book I was interested the whole time. I think its great to see a women succeed in that way.
November 29, 2016
I love soccer and I loved getting a chance to read about one of my favorite players. This book has so much information about Mia Hamm and her life and career. This could be used in a classroom to learn about what a biography is. The students could read it and re-create the biography with pictures.
February 17, 2009
Mia Hamm is my favorite soccer player so of course i loved the book. She is very inspiring and a good roll model. What Mia does is incredable and you learn that in the book.
October 19, 2010
i was good i like sports books
March 28, 2008
that you have to beleve in your self no matter what
Read
January 25, 2010this book has inspired me too go farther with my soccer
February 7, 2010
my sister got me this book for my birthday. mia hamm is so cool and inspirational.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews