Winning Words: Sports Stories and Photographs

by Charles R. Smith Jr.

With their fast-paced narration and dynamic, dramatic photos, these stories are guaranteed to pump up confidence no matter what your sport of choice.

Brian can’t get a hit at bat until Coach reminds him to turn off his brain and get into the zone. Gillian loses her nerve on the high beam after hearing the crunch of another gymnast’s fall, until the girls cheer her on, and she handsprings away from the sound in her head. From saving a disastrous football season to sharing the glory on the girls’ soccer field, from a solo punch in karate to thrilling teamwork on the basketball court, these riveting stories and inspirational quotes capture a striving for personal best — and the exhilaration of mastering your fears.

Genres: Sports

80 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2008

About the author

Charles R. Smith Jr. is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet with more than thirty books to his credit. His awards include a Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem "My People" and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his biography of Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. He is the author of Rimshots, Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Tall Tales, Short Takes, Diamond Life, and I Am America. A father of three himself, Charles brings his love of basketball and baseball right down to the toddler set in Let's Play Basketball! and Let's Play Baseball! His recent work celebrates subjects he's been interested in since he was a kid, such as The Mighty 12, which honors Greek gods and goddesses. He currently lives in Poughkeepsie, NY, with his wife, Gillian, and their three kids. You can visit him online at www.charlesrsmithjr.com.

Reviews

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photographs are amazing, but they almost dominate too much. The layout of the text somehow makes it hard for me to imagine kids actually reading it... I'd like to touch base with some kids to see how they react to it.

[Kathleen O'Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for www.eho.org, should be on site shortly. Sports play such an important role in children's lives. It is important for the coaches to stay focused on the positive aspects of sports and motivate kids to do their best. This book provides some great examples with some inspirational quotes.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice quick read with some pretty inspirational powerful short stories that revolve around sports quotes. the photos help with the impact of the stories. a good read for some of our athletes.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to read if you like short stories or sport books :)