The Winning Stroke

by Matt Christopher

Overview

When hydrotherapy for an injured leg takes him to the pool on a regular basis, twelve-year-old Jerry finds himself fascinated and challenged by the rigors of competitive swimming.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316094498
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	12/19/2009
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
File size:	918 KB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Matt Christopher is the best selling name behind more than 100 sports-themed books for young readers.

Editorial Reviews

After breaking his leg in a sandlot baseball game, 12-year-old Jerry Grayson is devastated to learn that he faces months of therapy and might miss playing baseball, his favorite sport. As it turns out, Jerry's therapist is the coach of the school's swimming team, and Jerry's therapy gradually progresses from exercises in the pool to working out with the team. A natural athlete and very competitive, Jerry initially resents the swimmers' attitudes, his ineptitude, and the apparent lack of swim-team spirit. But with the help of two friends and his supportive coach, he not only learns how to be a winner, but also finds he loves the excitement of competing and becoming a team player. Jerry's transformation occurs gradually and believably: he never loses his love for baseball and is genuinely surprised to find out how much he enjoys swimming. Christopher's easy-to-read sports stories are always popular with middle-graders, but because Jerry's attitude and manner make him seem older than 12, this book will appeal to older, reluctant readers as well.

Chris Sherman