Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler - or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps - literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers. Lelo Alves was born in Patos, a small town in the state of Para�ba, Brazil. While he was a teenager, he moved to the city of Jo�o Pessoa. Since Lelo was small, he never stopped drawing. The influence of alternative comics was his source of inspiration to enter in the field, with the support of friends and the help of co-workers. Currently Lelo has works published in Brazil, Portugal, and the United States. He also works as an illustrator of children's books and game designer, as well as graphic design, which is his academic background.