Champion Citizen

Sam is a Special Olympic gold medalist who has traveled the world participating in seven different sports. His specialty is power-lifting. He once practiced by pulling a car with a full grown man inside. Read to see how this Down syndrome toddler became a gold medal athlete and a seasoned world traveler.


The short stories in these two books will entertain and inspire third-grade readers nationwide with an insight into how these well-known athletes (change to: Amercians who happen to be champion athletes) overcame big obstacles, reached impossible goals, and then worked to guarantee equal opportunity and fair treatment to all people.


At some time while growing up, children will face being left out of a group, losing someone they love, not having enough money, moving to a new school, having their feelings hurt, or making a big mistake. Athletes in our HCCTA Champion Citizen® book series inspire children to find the champion in themselves to succeed in sports and in life.


The entire Champion Citizens® series includes seven books and lesson plans (change to teacher guides) that are flexible enough to be an independent reading program or an intensive six-week reading program in the classroom. Appropriate for after-school programs, home-school students, scout troops, religious groups, youth sports teams or a child who enjoys reading.


Author_Bio: Helen Moser Petersen is the Champion Reads creator and writing producer. She is a nationally recognized tennis leader and former English teacher.


Keywords: Athlete, Champion, Citizen, Sam McNew, Oympics, Sports, Weight Lifting, Overcome, Special, Perseverance, Gold Medal