WIN $150 GIFT VOUCHERS: ALADDIN'S GOLD
"The author of two award-winning novels, Grant Overstake began his notable journalism career at age 18 as a part-time reporter for The Wichita Eagle. He went on to graduate from the University of Kansas journalism school where he won the William Randolph Hearst Award, considered the Pulitzer Prize for college journalists. At age 24, he joined The Miami Herald, a paper that shaped many best-selling authors. Grant returned to the Sunflower State to edit weekly papers, earning numerous Kansas Press Association Awards, and two Golden Wheat Awards from the Kansas Farm Bureau. Grant's first novel, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon (2012) earned rave reviews from Kirkus Reviews and listed as a ""Cool Back to School Novel"" by Publishers Weekly. The audiobook was performed by Audie Award-winner Tavia Gilbert. Maggie recently was named one of the best track and field novels of all time by Citius Mag. The story was reissued in May 2021 by Grain Valley Publishing as a new title, with a new foreword by Olympic Champion Katerina Stefanidi, and chapter questions for mid-grade students written by Mental Performance Consultant, English teacher and coach, Dr. Melissa White. The Real Education of TJ Crowley (Grain Valley Publishing 2018) was picked to be a Candid Conversations Book Club selection by the Wichita Public Library. The novel won ""Best Book"" and ""Best Design"" awards for 2019 by the Kansas Authors Association. It was the first time that a novel won both top awards. Grant's publishing firm, Grain Valley Publishing Company produces award-winning books with teams of freelance editors and designers from around the nation. Olympic pole-vault champion Katerina Stefanidi has won medals in all five major international athletics championships, including the gold medal in the 2016 Olympic Games. In her teens, she set age-group world records at almost every level. Today she is a professional athlete who lives and trains in the United States with her husband and coach, Mitchell Krier, where they are preparing for her next big competitions. Born and raised in Athens, she is considered the finest female athlete in the storied history of Greece, where in Ancient Olympia the Olympic Games began. The discussion questions for Maggie Vaults Over the Moon were created by Dr. Melissa I. White. She is a Language Arts (ELA) Teacher and Mental Performance Consultant with a Doctorate in Sport Psychology who uses Maggie Vaults Over the Moon to inspire her own athletes at Hempfield Area High School in Western Pennsylvania. Dr. White earned a master's degree in Exercise Science: Sport Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States. While earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Bethany College (West Virginia) she competed in the pole vault and javelin events. Like the hero Maggie Steele, Melissa was the only girl pole-vaulter at her high school, where she set a school record that lasted for over a decade. Her counseling practice, Performance Edge Consulting, helps athletes across the nation gain the mental edge to perform their best. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, watching sporting events, listening to music, and most of all, training her Australian Shepherd, Wendy Lou, who also works with her clients as a sport therapy dog. To learn more about Dr. White's sport counseling service and download a free goal-setting worksheet, visit performanceedgeconsulting.org."
That one in a thousand books you'll carry with you forever! --Margaret Wheatley, 16, Florida Girls who play sports and the coaches and families who support them will thoroughly enjoy this warm, uplifting story. --Christine Brennan, USA TODAY sports columnist and best-selling author An inspirational pick for young adult fiction collections. --MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW A fine YA novel about perseverance in sports and in life. --KIRKUS REVIEWS One of the most pure and wholesome young adult books I've ever read, appropriate for 4th grade and up. --Shannon Clark, Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador The positive influence this book can have on young athletes is invaluable. --Erica (Bartolina) Fraley, US Olympian, Coach of Champions I myself experienced loss when I was a young girl. Sports were my outlet and helped me through some of the hardest times of my life. This book captured me cover to cover. I highly recommend it. --Becky Holliday, US Olympian I enthusiastically recommend it! --Barbara Gruener, National School of Character Coach I loved the book and wish I had written it. --Kimbrook Tennal, Hall of Fame High School Coach I highly recommend it for all teens, especially those seeking direction during the storm and stress of adolescence. --Timothy M. Tays, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist A well-written tale of epic courage. --Kim Ring, Middle School Teacher A beautiful story of triumph through adversity. --Bill Vogrin, COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE Will translate to anyone who allows themselves to be young at heart. --John Rinkenbaugh, TV Producer, Former Kansas Boy A magical story written through the eyes of a teen. --Mark Miranda, Sports Dad The world needs more Maggies! --Jolene Frook, Sports Mom
