Adrian Peterson

These feel-good books introduce stars who make as much of a difference off the field as on. Each one begins with play-by-play narration that features the athlete in a life-changing game. The man’s early abilities are then described, beginning with high school and college, and going on to cover his recruitment into professional sports. Sandler describes how Peterson was a star player early on, whereas Romo was not considered a great catch, even in college. Subsequent chapters feature each athlete’s desire to give back to his community through civic groups and charitable organizations such as the Special Olympics. Concluding fact sheets provide additional tidbits of information. Though each book features large color photos on every page, those depicting the players’ work with organizations that help children realize their dreams are especially poignant. These titles convey a positive message about athletes in a time when so many are featured in the news negatively, and they are sure to inspire readers.