Setting an Example Through Sports
Sixteen-year-old Freddy Adu is a young soccer star who keeps a level head. And the athlete, who is featured in the June 2006 issue of Highlights, has much to say that is of value to kids.
"We like to feature accomplished athletes who are good role models for kids," says Associate Editor Judy Burke, who edits nonfiction sports articles for Highlights.
She believes Adu is an outstanding example. He is playing at the professional level at a very young age. But at the same time, he finished high school before going pro, still lives with his mother and brother, and has to do chores just like any other teen.
"He has a good attitude and is very down-to-earth," she says. "We would like kids to see that this athlete, who is so talented and has achieved so much at such a young age, keeps a level head and still has things in common with our readers."
Mail from readers and online magazine surveys show that kids like sports, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, according to Burke, who also edits sports fiction for independent readers. "Because many of our readers are involved with team sports, I think they like to see how professional athletes and characters in stories deal with problems that the readers themselves are familiar with."
"Back in the Game," which is also in the June issue, is a sports fiction story about misconceptions. Matt, the main character, was hit by a pitch and is afraid to bat again, especially against the pitcher who hit him with the ball. When Matt bats, he imagines the pitcher laughing at him. At the same time, the pitcher actually is afraid to pitch to Matt again, but Matt is unaware of this. In the end, both boys realize that what happened was just an accident.
"I hope readers will see that in sports, as in other areas of life, making assumptions about what others are thinking or feeling can make things seem much worse than they really are," Burke explains.
"Much of what is learned through sports—teamwork, discipline, perseverance, dealing with success and failure, confidence, humility, and courage—is valuable in most areas of life," Burke says.
"When we present athletes or characters who overcome hurdles, show good sportsmanship, or learn from their mistakes, our readers can learn how to handle themselves in similar situations in their own lives."