2012 Olympics Here are some great fiction titles: Rush for the Gold: mystery at the Olympics – John Feinstein Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol have solved many mysteries as aspiring teenage journalists.  In this book, Susan is competing as a swimmer in her first Olympic games.  Hoops – Walter Dean Myers A teenage basketball player from Harlem is befriended by a former professional basketball player who, after being forced to quit because of a point shaving scandal, hopes to prevent other young athletes from repeating his mistakes. Stotan! – Chris Crutcher A high school coach invites members of his swimming team to a memorable week of rigorous training that tests their moral fiber as well as their physical stamina. Breathless – Jessica Warman At boarding school, Katie ties to focus on swimming and becoming popular instead of painful memories of her institutionalized, schizophrenic older brother The Running Dream – Wendelin Van Draanen When a school bus accident leaves 16-year old Jessica an amputee, she returns to school with a prosthetic limb and her track team finds a wonderful way to help rekindle her dream of running again Here are some titles about the Olympics and Olympic athletes: A Passion for Victory: the story of the Olympics in ancient and early modern times – Benson Bobrick The captivating story of the Olympic games starting with their inception in Ancient Greece, leading up to our modern day Olympics Triumph: the untold story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics – Jeremy Schaap The story of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympic Games is that of a high profile athlete giving a performance that transcends sports – but it is also the tale of the courage of one remarkable man. Off Balance: a memoir – Dominique Moceanu with Paul and Teri Williams At 14 years old, Dominique Moceanu was the youngest member of the 1996 U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastic team, the first and only American women’s team to take gold at the Olympics.  But behind the glory Dominique’s life hid a series of challenges and hardships. No Limits: the will to succeed – Michael Phelps with Alan Abrahamson Michael Phelps reveals the secrets to his success, from his training to his mental preparation and his performance in the pool. Have you been inspired to start a new sport?  These titles can help you get started: The Everything Triathlon Training Book: from scheduling workouts to crossing the finish line-all you need to meet the challenge – Brent Manley and Lucia Colbert Fencing: steps to success – Elaine Cheris Archery: basic essentials – Beth L. Habeishi Super Soccer Skills.  Just Kickin’ It [dvd] – World Class Enterprises Discover how to become the most powerful and accurate striker of the ball. Judo: Techniques and Tactics – Didier Janicot, Guilbert Pouillart