Joe Mauer (Amazing Athletes) [Paperback]

Jeffrey Zuehlke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Amazing Athletes

See how a blend of natural ability and hard work has paid off for Joe Mauer, the first catcher in baseball's American League to win a batting title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Amazing Athletes
Inspire sports fans with the success stories of Amazing Athletes. These attractive high-interest biographies include a description of a famous athlete's career from the beginning through his or her current achievements. These books draw in reluctant readers and proficient readers alike!

From the Back Cover

Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, catcher Joe Mauer dreamed of playing baseball for his hometown team, the Minnesota Twins. Through hard work--and a special batting practice technique--he perfected one of the best swings in baseball and became the top draft pick in 2000, selected by the Twins Six years into his career, Joe became the first catcher to ever win the batting title in the American League in 2006. With his good eye at the plate and a powerful throwing arm, Joe has a bright future ahead. Follow his amazing path from the fields of St. Paul all the way to Major League stardom.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822589761
• ISBN-13: 978-0822589761
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fascinating baseball bio about "one of baseball's brightest stars," Joe Mauer ..., April 8, 2011

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joe Mauer (Amazing Athletes) (Paperback)

Joseph Patrick Mauer was a native of St. Paul Minnesota, and undoubtedly he had dreams of growing up to be a Minnesota Twin. His family was sports oriented, but Joe showed talent at a very early age and simply sparkled at every sport he tried. He started playing with a baseball bat at the tender age of two and in fact, he was "Kicked off his local T-ball team because he was too good." Amazing isn't it? Joe was a Twins fan like most of the other kids and his favorite player was Kirby Puckett. He also played football and basketball, but baseball was his favorite. He and his brothers often "played stickball on the street in front of their house." You'll be able to read about the "special tool" their dad invented to help them improve their batting skills.

By the time Joe hit high school he was a sizzling hot athlete in not one, but three different sports. The problem was picking the one he would stick with because undoubtedly he was a young man headed for the pros. Twins general manager, Terry Ryan, later said they'd been "tracking him since he was about fifteen" and there was "no question that Joe was talented." You'll read about the unusual way that Joe decided which sport to play. He had been "named the top high school player in the country" in not one sport but two! You'll also read about Joe's excitement on draft day, how he fared in the minor leagues, his incredible batting averages, injuries, awards, and you'll learn many other things about this amazing athlete.

This is a fascinating baseball bio about "one of baseball's brightest stars," Joe Mauer. The book starts off with an action chapter when the Minnesota Twin's were playing a game against the Red Sox. There is a mixture of both action oriented shots and those that show Joe as a young player and with his father and grandfather. Interspersed throughout the book are several small, informative sidebars. For example, in one we learn about the first vehicle he bought when he got a $5 million dollar contract. This is the type of book that will appeal to the young baseball fan, especially if they are interested in "hot" players. This is one of many in the series, "Amazing Athletes." In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, selected career highlights, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore.


This book courtesy of the publisher.