An Outside Chance

A vivid and personal account of a lifetime of sporting adventure. This American sporting classic, first published in 1980, includes five new essays by the celebrated author of Keep the Change. "A remarkable range of topics in lavish, hypnotic prose".--Sports Illustrated..

Grade level: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, i, s.

It's been three months since 13-year-old Edie solved her mother's murder and became a supersleuth. One evening Edie is babysitting for a neighbour, Donna, who has repeatedly caught sight of an estranged friend from overseas. What is troubling Donna, however, is that it seems she's been in the same place at the same time as this friend on a number of occasions over the past few days. Meanwhile, Edie's school friend Harry Coranger is suspicious of his stepfather, who has become involved with ultra-radical anti-capitalists who, furious at the state of the planet and its greed-fuelled decline, are plotting an audacious double atrocity. Utilising her brave instincts and skills as a supersleuth for hire, Edie sets about resolving the mysteries and averting the crises that she is confronted with - as she comes to realise that things often happen outside of chance, and outside of our understanding and control. To solve each mystery, Edie must harness the Three Principles, a new approach to understanding how the mind works that is currently proving invaluable in improving mental health and well-being in children internationally. Reading age 11+.

February 3rd marks the beginning of the Presidential Primary Season when the first voters in Iowa begin assembling for the Iowa Caucuses. Thirty two years ago, two young political science graduates went out to Iowa from California to work for Presidential hopeful Gary Hart in what would be “part two” of his campaign for president. Could they make a difference? Would Hart be able to recover from the scandal with Donna Rice? Would this one time presumptive Democratic Party hopeful surge to popularity like he did in 1984 or are there no second chances in American government and politics? Outside Chance by Lee Chazen takes us on a whirlwind tour in this "Inspirational, entertaining, fast-moving, insider's view of the campaign trail." Was 1988 the turning point when presidential politics took a strange turn - leading to Donald Trump? What goes on behind the scenes in the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary? What is the difference between what we learn in school and what actually happens in government and politics? Is there a way out of political gridlock? Outside Chance shines some light on the whole primary process and what it's like working behind the scenes. The book gets into a lot of things that are not typically covered in an election, which could lead to some interesting ideas for discussion. If you are a journalist, radio or TV host, teacher or professor and would like to contact Lee to join your class or panel for a discussion - or to get information for a story, please reach out to - [email protected].

Ben Copperfield is a freelance journalist who specialises in all things equine, so when he is called with the news that the hot favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup has been kidnapped, just a few weeks before the race, he wastes no time in following the story up. This could be the racing scoop of a lifetime. But as the date of the Gold Cup draws ever closer, it is unclear whether the missing horse is still alive. Where could a valuable racehorse be hidden for so long? And what is the secret from the owner's past that he is keeping from the police? Doggedly chasing the truth, Ben finds himself tested, both physically and psychologically, as he gradually uncovers a tale of prejudice, ambition and heartbreak.

It's been three months since Edie solved her mother's murder and became a supersleuth.