ESPY Awards

The ESPY awards will be given out on Wednesday, July 17. ESPY stands for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award and is sponsored by the cable channel ESPN.  This award recognizes individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the calendar year before the annual ceremony.

One of the categories, Best International Athlete, gives voters the choice of five athletes, including Lionel Messi.

This title, part of Enslow's Sports Stars Who Care series, is written for the upper elementary reader. This 48-page book talks about his athleticism on the soccer field, his early years in Argentina, as well as his foundation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which builds parks and schools in poor areas, as well as provides treatment for sick children.

For those elementary soccer fans and players, this book is a great motivator!

All of the titles in this series emphasize charitable work done by particular sports stars. Other titles include Albert Pujols, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Shaun White, and Tom Brady.

Enslow's Olympic Men's Hoops Player Bios Available Now

The United States Olympic men's basketball team reached the knockout phase of the medal rounds yesterday. The road to the medal rounds has not been entirely smooth, with the Lithuanian and Argentine team offering the American squad strong competition.

The American squad includes a number of well-known NBA stars. The spotlight of the London 2012 Games presents librarians and parents with an opportunity to offer biographies of prominent US basketball players that are on TV now.

Enslow Publishers offers an excellent selection of high-interest biographies of these sports celebrities. Read About Carmelo Anthony and Read About Kobe Bryant offer 24-page biographies of these Olympians. Author David Torsiello's Guided Reading Level "I" titles include excellent photos and a reader-friendly design. The books, included in Enslow's "I Like Sports Stars" series, are available in paperback for $6.95; a library-bound edition of each book is available for $15.95. The library-bound price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price for those items.

Enslow's LeBron James: A Basketball Star Who Cares offers a more challenging text suitable for readers in grades 3-4. Author Kimberly Gatto's 48-page work draws particular attention to "King James'" philanthropic work and his strong character. The Guided Reading Level "O" book includes game action photos, career statistics, and an address to write the Miami Heat star. A paperback version of this book, part of the "Sports Stars Who Care" series, is available for $7.95. A library-bound edition is also available for $17.95; the price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.

Capture Young Reader Interest in Pro Basketball Finals with Enslow's LeBron James Biography

The NBA Finals, pro basketball's crown jewel series, begins this week. Among the participants is Miami Heat superstar LeBron James. One of the best known athletes in the country, "King James" is certain to draw interest from young readers passionate about basketball. One way for librarians to encourage young fans to read about these sports celebrities is to display age-appropriate biographies of these international stars.

Enslow Publishers' LeBron James: A Basketball Star Who Cares fits this profile. The 48-page, Guided Reading Level "O" title offers insights into James' life and career. Notably, author Kimberly Gatto's age-appropriate text includes a section on the player's philanthropic endeavors. By going outside the basketball arena, Gatto gives young readers a useful, humanizing perspective about star athletes' lives. This enriching dimension to the book makes it a solid addition to a library's sports biography collection, as well as a book parents would feel comfortable giving to their child.

LeBron James: A Basketball Star Who Cares, part of Enslow's six-book "Sports Stars Who Care" series, is available in paperback for $7.95. It is also in a library-bound edition for $17.95. That price reflects a 25% discount available to school and library customers.

LeBron James wins 2012 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award

978-0-7660-3776-2 (library)
978-1-59845-231-0 (paperback)

LeBron has won this award for the third time in four seasons, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to win at least three MVPs. The award was announced on Friday.

Enslow Elementary's Sports Stars Who Care series includes a title on LeBron. Written for third and fourth grade readers, these 48 page books will be enjoyed by your sports-loving readers. Other titles in this series include Dale Earnhardt, Jr., David Wright, Kevin Garnett, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady.

Pro Basketball Playoffs Stimulate Young Readers to Explore Enslow's NBA Player Biographies

The NBA playoffs, pro basketball's annual crown jewel event, are about to begin. These series of attention-getting games often encourage young readers to seek biographies of star players. Enslow Publishers fills this timely need with engaging, age-appropriate biographies of NBA stars performing in this year's playoffs.

For elementary students, Enslow's "I Like Sports Stars!" series includes 24-page biographies of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. Written by David Torsiello, each Guided Reading Level "I" title includes exciting combinations of color photos, reader-friendly text, and interesting sidebars. Each book is available in paperback directly from Enslow Classroom for $6.95. Library-bound versions are also available for $15.95; that price, available to schools and public libraries, represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price.

Moving up in reading level, Enslow's "Sports Stars Who Care" series includes books on marquee NBA players LeBron James and Kevin Garnett. Author Kimberly Gatto's 48-page titles include a discussion of each athlete's philanthropic ventures, along with compelling text discussing their careers and pro highlights. Each book is available in paperback from Enslow Classroom for $7.95. A library-bound edition of each title is available for $17.95 -- that price is a 25% discount from Enslow's list price to school and library clients.

New LeBron James Biography

With basketball great LeBron James currently in the NBA playoffs, Enslow Publishers is receiving many requests for its new biography of the Miami Heat's superstar. Author Kimberly Gatto's lively, 48-page book offers a unique look at "King James'" life and career. It also explores James' philanthropic endeavors, providing readers with additional perspective into this "high character" athlete. Reluctant readers will especially enjoy this Guided Reading Level "O" title.

LeBron James: A Basketball Star Who Cares, part of the six-book "Sports Stars Who Care" series, is available now in a library-bound version. Educational institutions, libraries, and teachers may purchase it directly from Enslow Publishers for the school/library price of $17.95 (a 25% discount from Enslow's list price). A paperback version of the book will be avaiable in Fall 2011.