Bøger af Paul Volponi

"In The 32 Principles, famed jiu-jitsu instructor Rener Gracie, who has coached more than 350,000 students in 196 countries, presents the core teachings of jiu-jitsu and explains how they can apply to all of our daily lives"--

An unflinching story about justice, courage, and the life of one young man behind bars.It started out as an innocent day for Martin, but it quickly turned into his worst nightmare--arrested for something he didn't even mean to do. And five months later, he is still locked up in jail on infamous Rikers Island. Just when things couldn't get worse, Martin gets caught in a fight between two prisoners, and his face is slashed. He's scarred forever, but one good thing comes from the attack: Martin is transferred to a part of Rikers where inmates must attend high school. When he meets his caring and understanding teacher, will Martin open up and learn from his situation? Or will he be consumed by prison and getting revenge on his attackers?"Volponi, who taught on Rikers Island for six years, writes with an authenticity that will make readers feel Martin's fear."--Publishers Weekly"Volponi . . . brings to life a believable range of teachers, COs, and inmates and portrays power, hierarchies, and race relations both outside and inside the jail walls with unflinching realism."--School Library Journal "With down-to-earth language based on his own experiences . . . Volponi captures the reader."--VOYA

A fastball of a book by Paul Volponi-an author who knows sports and suspense! Julio Ramirez Jr. lives in the shadow of his famous father. Not just because Julio Senior is a pitcher for the Miami Marlins and famous for his scorching fastball, but because he defected from Cuba, leaving Julio and his sister and mother branded as the family of a traitor. Now sixteen, Julio has dreams of playing shortstop for Cuba's national team--until he's given the opportunity to sail to the U.S. Can he abandon his family, just like his Papi did? Is freedom worth the perilous journey and risking prison if he's caught? Will his Papi be waiting for him on the other shore-or, with the Marlins in the World Series against the Yankees, has Julio Senior forgotten all about his son?"An entertaining tale of baseball, family and loyalty."-Kirkus Reviews"Volponi once again delivers top-notch sports fare coupled with a deeper story of family and fidelity. . . Readers will identify with Julio as he juggles dreams, bitterness, and family loyalties in this lyrical, spare novel."-Booklist "A poignant story. . . this is a must-read for any teen who not only loves stories about sports but also enjoys reading about families."-VOYA

When SpongeBob SquarePants debuted, the fun-loving, pure-hearted title character took the world of animation by storm, riding a virtual tsunami of critical praise. This fast-moving, eclectic, and fun "biography" celebrates the show's history and provides fascinating insight into the show's creation, the episodes, the voice artists, and the fans.

In a fast-paced, accessible narrative, award-winning young adult author Paul Volponi explores the real-life science, history, and literature behind comic book superheroes' powers and origins.

"Volponi, a multiple award-winning author, keeps the tension high from the first to last page ...The Final Four is definitely a winner." -VOYA, starred reviewMarch Madness is in full swing, and there are only four teams let in the NCAA basketball championship. The heavily favored Michigan Spartans and the underdog Troy Trojans meet in the first game in the seminfinals, and it's there that the fates of Malcolm, Roko, Crispin, and M.J. intertwine. As the last moments tick down on the game clock, you'll learn how each player went from being a kid who loves to shoot hoops to a powerful force in one of the most important games of the year. Which team will leave the Superdome victorious? In the end it will come down to who has the most skill, the most drive, and the most heart."Volponi nails it when it counts in this dynamic story." -Booklist, starred review"Volponi adroitly renders authentic and inspired basketball action." -The New York Times Book Review

"In 2019, the NFL issued a list of football's one hundred greatest game-changers, and among the legendary athletes and coaches was one broadcaster: Phyllis George. The first female anchor of a major network sports show, George broke the glass ceiling in sports journalism and embodied the complexities of the women's movement of the 1970s. As a young woman, George first hit the media radar in 1971 when she won the crown of Miss America and toured the world. While many in the budding feminist movement looked down on the pageant queen, George parlayed her success into a television career and excelled in sports journalism. While she was not immune to criticism, George was never deterred by it, and constantly showed her inner strength and perseverance. Through the decades she cultivated a reputation as one of the most respected and strong-willed players in the rough and tumble businesses of sports and network news, breaking through the glass ceiling in one of the most male-driven industries in the world. She was a pioneer who helped pave the way for a new generation of female broadcasters. A published author in her own right and champion of the arts, George remained a stalwart advocate for female empowerment until her death in 2020. In Phyllis George: Shattering the Ceiling authors Lenny Shulman and Paul Volponi trace George's evolution from Miss America to professional broadcaster, to arts advocate, author, philanthropist, and also as First Lady of Kentucky who was instrumental in getting her husband, John Y. Brown Jr., elected Governor of that state. George's life was defined by her professionalism, her strength of character, and her uncanny ability to leave an indelible impression on all she met"--

Huck Porter’s dad was the best poker player in town, and when he dies suddenly, Huck finds that nothing makes sense anymore—except for the game Texas Hold ’em. Huck’s dad was the town champion for three years running, but now that title belongs to Mr. Abbott, Huck’s deplorable math teacher who ridicules his students and dreams of hitting it big in Las Vegas. Huck plans to reclaim his father’s title at the annual local poker tournament—even if it means lying to everyone he knows and loves. As his lies build and the stakes get higher, will Huck even recognize himself by the end?

This book is an autobiographical account of the author's experiences as a 17-year-old intent on becoming a legitimate NYC streetballer at the highest level. Included as part of the narrative are the important social skills learned on the basketball court, showing readers that their time spent streetballing is meaningful beyond the sport itself.

This interactive book compels both reluctant and sports-crazed readers to its pages by examining how various teams from a range of sports received their names. Teen and pre-teen readers will gain knowledge of history, science, literature, math, and a slew of other subjects through the lens of notable sports teams.