Against All Odds

Suzanne I. Barchers, EdD, is the author of two college textbooks, over 20 readers theatre and teacher resource books, and more than 100 educational books for children. She is past president of the Association of Educational Publishers and serves on the PBS Kids Next Generation Advisory Board. Barchers has served as a public school teacher, affiliate faculty for the University of Colorado-Denver, acquisitions editor for Teacher Ideas Press, editor and chief of Leapfrog, and managing editor at Weekly Reader. Barchers writes and consults from her home.Michael Ruscoe is an award-winning journalist, writer, editor, and teacher. He is the author of several books, including the anthologies Baseball: A Treasury of Art and Literature and American Waterfowl.

• Introduction Kurt Angle, Wrestler Lance Armstrong, Cyclist Oksana Baiul, Figure Skater Halle Berry, Actress Andrea Bocelli, Tenor Diana Golden Brosnihan, Skier Tedy Bruschi, Football Player Tom Cruise, Actor Vin Diesel, Actor and Writer Jean Driscoll, Marathon Athlete David Ecstein, Baseball Player Michael J. Fox, Actor Zina Garrison, Tennis Player Tracey Gold, Actress Bethany Hamilton, Surfer Carolyn McCarthy, Congresswoman Tim McGraw, Country Singer Willie O'Ree, Hockey Player Freddie Prinze Jr., Actor Christopher Reeve, Actor and Spokesman Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States Erik Weihenmayer, Mountain Climber Bob Woodruff, News Correspondent Special Guests: Jewel, Jay Leno, Nancy Cartwright, Bob Dole They All Beat the Odds: Chris Burke, Patty Duke, Michelle Akers, and Stephen Hawking Answers to Cross Out Puzzles

"This material, with its emphasis on movie stars and athletes, will find a place in classrooms as a welcome alternative to the regular curriculum." - School Library Journal