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The Sports Book

This is an all-sports story which teaches your child valuable lessons in fair play while promoting sportsmanship.

The story is personalized with the child's details which you provide like name, age, hometown, names of friends, the coach's name, sports event (e.g. basketball game, and of course your name, the person giving the book and the date you are giving it. This makes it a great keep sake.

We'll add a special message from you to the child like "Happy Birthday!" or similar, a no cost to you, if you request it on the order form.

A detailed story of this book is given below.  We guarantee satisfaction so there is no risk when you order our books.

Sample page illustration	Book Cover	Sample page illustration

Price $17.95  Book # 519  Hard cover 6 3/4" x 8 1/4"  36 pages, For ages 5-12

Please provide the following on the order form:-

• Book number
• Child's name
• Child's age
• Child's gender
• Hometown
• Names of up to 3 friends
• Sports event (e.g. baseball game)
• Coach's name
• Name of person giving the book
• Dedication
• Date the book is given

Note:  You could order now and then submit the details later by e-mail.  Make the order number the Subject of your e-mail if you choose to submit the details later.  You will get the order number after submitting your order.

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The Sports Book – Detailed Story

As you read the story below substitute the underlined information with yours. This is just a sample story; your book will be made using the information you submit (listed above).

• Page 1 – Book title and picture illustrations
• Page 2 – More illustrations (2 samples shown above this page)
• Page 3 – "Sports Book" was created especially for Michael Jeremy Smith at the age of 8, with love from Grandma and Grandpa, December 25, 1999
• Page 4 – Mike Smith rolled over in bed, saw dawn was already breaking and knew he would not be able to go back to sleep. He had tossed and turned most of the night because he was excited. This restlessness, however, was also partly due to an aching calf muscle.

As Mike started to get up, he once again felt the tightening in his leg. He rubbed his muscle and the tension eased.

Now, fully awake, Mike was very aware of the half-queasy, half-exhilarated feeling that came before every important baseball game. But today was not like every other sports day. Today, Mike Smith was competing in the last and most important baseball game of the season. The championship was at a stake!

• Page 5 – Picture illustrations
• Page 6 – More illustrations
• Page 7 – While Mike was eating breakfast, dozens of thoughts filled his mind. He imagined his friends and family at the baseball game standing and cheering for him. He could almost hear the announcer saying, "Mike Smith of Woodbridge, is simply spectacular today."

Then his thoughts turned back to reality. Mike drank his orange juice and rubbed his leg. He knew it was time to leave when he saw Larry, Chris and Timmy outside the kitchen window. The ride seemed unusually long this morning. When they finally reached their destination, Mike could see several people were already warming up. He rushed to join his teammates.

• Page 8 – The announcement was made that it was time to begin. The baseball game got off to a good start. Mike felt winning was possible. The team was in great condition.

It soon became apparent that the teams were evenly matched. First one, then the other, took the lead. With only minutes left, defeat or victory depended entirely on Mike. His early morning vision was coming true!

Then it happened! Suddenly the dull ache in his leg muscle became a terrible cramp. Mike tried to go on. Again the muscle knotted and the pain was fierce. There was no doubt about it, he could no longer compete.

The baseball game ended. The championship was won by the opposing team.

• Page 9 – Picture illustrations
• Page 10 – More illustrations
• Page 11 – As the group gathered around the van, Mike began to think of everything that had happened before the baseball game. He remembered his leg aching during the night and how restless he had been. The excitement of the championship had pushed the pain out of his mind until the fierce cramp had become unbearable.

Mike also thought about his dream of being the hero of the day. This morning’s dream of stardom seemed foolish. He felt discouraged. Mike and the others began to pile into the van when they saw the coach approaching. One by one they took their seats. Mike wondered what would be said and how coach Jenkins would react. He wished he could disappear.

• Page 12 – Coach Jenkins stopped to talk to some of the parents. Inside the van, there was total silence. No one spoke. Mike knew that everyone was upset. He was feeling very uneasy.

The coach got into the van. Mike continued staring at the floor. Coach Jenkins broke the silence. "We all gave our best today. All of you on the team gave 100 percent. The cheers from the rest of you gave us a real boost. Mike, how’s your leg?" Mike looked up. The coach was wonderful! This baseball game had meant everything to the team, yet Coach Jenkins was more concerned with how Mike felt.

• Page 13 – Picture illustrations

• Page 14 – More illustrations
• Page 15 – Coach Jenkins then told a hilarious story, and they all began to laugh and talk at once. With words of antics, they created an instant replay of the entire baseball game. They made fun of themselves until they were weak with laughter. The tension between them ended, and their friendship became stronger.

By the time they arrived at their favorite pizza place, Mike felt good. The aroma of the food coming from the restaurant smelled fantastic. Mike had already decided on a medium cheese pizza and a large drink.

• Page 16 – The restaurant was busy. Coaches, athletes and spectators came to eat and talk about the efforts of the teams. As they were waiting to order, a team member joked, "Mike Smith, every time we compete, you get better and better. One of these days you might even get a professional offer." They all patted Mike on the back. No one could lose with friends like these.

Coach Jenkins put an arm around Mike and hugged him. "Stack them up, team," said the coach. The teammates piled one hand on top of the other. Mike felt so good that he forgot the dull ache in his leg.

• Page 17 – Picture illustration
• Page 18 – Another illustration
• Page 19 – Mike joined Larry, Chris and Timmy and his other friends who were sitting in a booth at the back of the restaurant. Mike was glad to see them. He had just begun to tell them about coach Jenkins when he saw Kia.

Kia was a know-it-all who never missed a chance to put someone down. Anyone who had a bad day at any sports event was sure target. Kia’s outspoken meanness was well known in Woodbridge. Mike felt his heart pounding rapidly. He struggled to catch his breath. Kia had seen Mike and was coming straight toward him. There was no place to hide.

• Page 20 – Kia was definitely one of the few people who always came to criticize. Even adults often cringed at Kia’s remarks. Mike could feel everyone looking at him.

"Well, Mike, how does it feel losing the biggest baseball game of the year single-handedly?" Kia’s voice boomed. Everyone stopped eating. The entire restaurant was silent. Larry, Chris and Timmy looked up. Mike was fighting to keep control of his emotions. All his earlier feelings of disappointment came flooding back. What could he say?

• Page 21 – Picture illustration
• Page 22 – Another illustration
• Page 23 – Only a few minutes passed, but to Mike it seemed like forever. He tried to speak, but no words would come. Coach Jenkins slowly got up from the table and walked over to Kia. "If I remember correctly, Kia," said the coach, "your poor sportsmanship caused the penalty which lost us the championship last year. It was Mike who stuck up for you and Mike who sat with you in this same restaurant when no one else would. How can you criticize the one person who has treated you like a friend?" Kia started to answer, but seeing the look on the coach’s face, knew it was best to keep quiet.
• Page 24 – Kia, speechless, was a sight to behold. A sigh of relief spread throughout the entire restaurant. As they left the pizza place, everyone began buzzing with conversation. Larry, Chris and Timmy recalled times when Mike had been nice to others when they needed it. Mike always seemed to be there with a word of encouragement. Each one agreed that today’s loss was not the end of the world. Win or lose, they knew that they could always count on Mike Smith for friendship and support. Everyone was really glad Mike was on their team.
• Page 25 – Picture illustration
• Page 26 – Another illustration
• Page 27 – The awards banquet was held a few weeks later. Parents, friends and relatives brought their favorite dishes. Chicken, lasagna, potato salad, green beans, casseroles, garden salads, and every dessert imaginable filled the tables. The food was always delicious at these gatherings.

The team got together and talked about many things. One topic was the surprise plaque for Coach Jenkins, which they had all chipped in to buy. Mike was pleased about this gift. It was a super way to say thank you to a special coach. Most of the conversation, however, was about the Sportsmanship Trophy. This was the most-coveted award of all. Each athlete imagined how that trophy would look on a shelf at home.

• Page 28 – The sportsmanship award was voted on by the team. Each member was entitled to one vote. Several days before the banquet, coach Jenkins had explained to the group the qualifications for this trophy. According to coach Jenkins, three qualities were needed. The athlete had to show good team spirit, play by the rules of the sport and be gracious in victory or defeat. The coach added that, although the trophy was not given specifically for athlete ability, a good athlete could win. The ballots were cast at the banquet. There were many who qualified this year, and the vote was sure to be close.
• Page 29 – Picture illustration
• Page 30 – Another illustration
• Page 31 – The banquet room was very festive. Balloons, bright paper streamers, laughter and conversation all added to the excitement. Coach Jenkins stood to begin the presentations, and the team quickly took their seats. Mike sat next to Larry, Chris and Timmy. In spite of the fact they were excited, a hush came over the room.

"We have had a great season," said coach Jenkins. "We’ve learned about teamwork, winning and losing. We have learned the discipline of weekly practices, but most importantly we’ve learned about friendship and sportsmanship."

• Page 32 – One by one, the team members were called to receive their participation trophy. Coach Jenkins spoke of the so special talent of each athlete as the awards were presented. These remarks meant a lot to the team. They listened carefully to the words of the coach.

As the last of the trophies were given out, the anticipation began to grow. Finally, only the large, shiny, gold sportsmanship trophy remained on the table. Everyone held their breath. The coach continued, "the vote was close this year. In fact, the trophy was won by only one vote. Mike Smith, your teammates have voted that this award go to you." Unknown to everyone, Kia had cast the tie-breaking vote.

• Page 33 – Picture illustration
• Page 34 – Another illustration
• Page 35 – The team had not won the championship, but they had learned many important lessons. They knew it was difficult to lose, but as long as they kept trying, they could not be defeated. Good sportsmanship now had real meaning. Winning was not everything. Their spirits had never been higher. Mike beamed with pride as the team gathered around him. Groups of friends excitedly talked about the fantastic team they would have next year. Mike Smith was eagerly looking forward to another season.
• Page 36 – Autographs for Mike Smith

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