Get Off the Couch
Reviewed by Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA -- School Library Journal, 11/1/2009
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Sports - 700 Heroes of Court and Field |
Sports - 700
Sports series this season run the gamut from offering the same old basics on popular sports with some new design angles, to covering some unusual topics that have not been fully explored before. Successful sets have an attractive page layout and an appropriately sized font for the intended audience, while enhancing the narrative with striking, colorful photographs. Collections that need updating can find some suitable possibilities this fall.
ADAMSON, Heather The Best of Pro Soccer ISBN 978-1-4296-3331-4. LC 2009001178.DOEDEN, Matt. The Best of Pro Baseball ISBN 978-1-4296-3329-1. LC 2009001168.
DOEDEN, Matt. The Best of Pro Basketball ISBN 978-1-4296-3332-1. LC 2009001174.
DOEDEN, Matt. The Best of Pro Football ISBN 978-1-4296-3328-4. LC 2009001178. ea vol: 24p. (First Facts: Best of Pro Sports Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Capstone 2009. PLB $21.32.
Gr 2-3–This series highlights the most outstanding plays in each of these sports. From the best homerun to the best touchdown pass, readers will learn about the achievements of superstars past and present. Only Soccer includes women. Spreads feature short, large font sentences in boxes opposite a colorful full-page photo. Some words are highlighted in red and defined at the bottom of the pages as well as in the glossaries, which include pronunciation guidance. Use this series as a good discussion starter–each book includes just enough information to generate arguments among fans about which play was really the best.
BEKKERING, Annalise. NCAA Basketball Championship map. ISBN 978-1-60596-634-2; ISBN 978-1-60596-635-9. LC 2009008366.DIEMER, Lauren. Rose Bowl map. ISBN 978-1-60596-638-0; ISBN 978-1-60596-639-7. LC 2009008362.
HOWSE, Jennifer. NASCAR Sprint Cup map. ISBN 978-1-60596-636-6; ISBN 978-1-60596-637-3. LC 2009012344.
WEBSTER, Christine. The Masters. maps. ISBN 978-1-60596-640-3; ISBN 978-1-60596-641-0. LC 2009012346. ea vol: 32p. (Sporting Championships Series). charts. diags. photos. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Weigl 2009. PLB $26; pap. $9.95.
Gr 3-5–Chapter spreads in these titles consist of a few paragraphs of narrative that are complemented by charts, sidebars, diagrams, and attractive photographs in both color and black and white. The organization is odd. After the initial chapters that include basic information and a map outlining locations where championships are played, the authors return to historical highlights and four well-known male players in a chapter entitled “Legends and Current Stars.” Women athletes are discussed in a separate chapter. A concluding spread provides 10 text-comprehension questions and a section of “Books to Read” that lacks any specific titles. Instead, readers will find vague directions such as “Search your library for books […] On your library’s computer, type in a keyword” with no guidance as to which keywords would be helpful.
BOOTH, Tanis. Football ISBN 978-1-60596-126-2; ISBN 978-1-60596-127-9. LC 2009005604.CRAATS, Rennay. Baseball ISBN 978-1-60596-122-4; ISBN 978-1-60596-123-1. LC 2009005600.
CRAATS, Rennay. Basketball ISBN 978-1-60596-128-6; ISBN 978-1-60596-129-3. LC 2009005606.
CRAATS, Rennay. Skateboarding ISBN 978-1-60596-120-0; ISBN 978-1-60596-121-7. LC 2009005599.
JOHNSTONE, Robb. Hockey ISBN 978-1-60596-130-9; ISBN 978-1-60596-131-6. LC 2009005607.
REDIGER, Pat. Soccer ISBN 978-1-60596-124-8; ISBN 978-1-60596-125-5. LC 2009008355. ea vol: 24p. (In the Zone Series). diag. photos. reprods. glossary. index. CIP. Weigl 2009. PLB $24.45; pap. $8.95.
Gr 3-5–This plain vanilla series covers popular sports that children frequently play. The books include a brief history, a description of major equipment, and a field diagram, and conclude with a chapter on staying healthy that offers the books’ only unusual insight. However, even the value of that information varies by author. It is ironic that this section of Skateboarding shows two separate photographs of extreme stunts performed without helmets. Each chapter is followed by suggested online resources. Bulleted fact boxes feature eight major players throughout history. The books close with a spread of brainteasers that are thinly disguised comprehension questions based on the texts.
BURNS, Kylie. Alpine and Freestyle Skiing ISBN 978-0-7787-4020-9; ISBN 978-0-7787-4039-1. LC 2009021487.BURNS, Kylie. Biathlon, Cross-Country, Ski Jumping, and Nordic Combined ISBN 978-0-7787-4021-6; ISBN 978-0-7787-4040-7. LC 2009021490.
GUSTAITIS, Joseph. Figure Skating ISBN 978-0-7787-4022-3; ISBN 978-0-7787-4041-4. LC 2009021492.
GUSTAITIS, Joseph. Snowboard ISBN 978-0-7787-4026-1; ISBN 978-0-7787-4045-2. LC 2009021494.
GUSTAITIS, Joseph. Speed Skating ISBN 978-0-7787-4027-8; ISBN 978-0-7787-4046-9. LC 2009021493.
JOHNSON, Robin. Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton ISBN 978-0-7787-4024-7; ISBN 978-0-7787-4043-8. LC 2009021496.
JOHNSON, Robin. Ice Hockey and Curling ISBN 978-0-7787-4023-0; ISBN 978-0-7787-4042-1. LC 2009021495.
JOHNSON, Robin. Paralympic Sports Events ISBN 978-0-7787-4025-4; ISBN 978-0-7787-4044-5. LC 2009021497. ea vol: 32p. (Winter Olympic Sports Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Crabtree 2009. PLB $19.95; pap. $8.95.
Gr 3-5–This series has potential interest for use around the 2010 Winter Olympics, but it disappoints. The authors dryly recite facts as though writing for an almanac even though they are covering topics that could have inspired exciting narratives. Most of the color photographs are run of the mill and are shot at a mid-range distance, meaning that the skiers all look the same. Some fact boxes, such as the one about women hockey players, are on the wrong page. Other missed opportunities abound. For example, the two brief sentences in Paralympic Sports about how visually impaired biathletes shoot at targets that make electronic sounds will leave readers wanting more. Similar information is readily available elsewhere.
DOWDY, Penny. Cross-Country and Endurance ISBN 978-0-7787-4980-6; ISBN 978-0-7787-4996-7.DOWDY, Penny. Dressage map. ISBN 978-0-7787-4978-3; ISBN 978-0-7787-4994-3.
JOHNSON, Robin. Rodeo diag. ISBN 978-0-7787-4977-6; ISBN 978-0-7787-4993-6.
JOHNSON, Robin. Show Jumping illus. ISBN 978-0-7787-4979-0; ISBN 978-0-7787-4995-0.
MARTIN, Martha. Steeplechase ISBN 978-0-7787-4981-3; ISBN 978-0-7787-4997-4.
MARTIN, Martha. Trail Riding map. ISBN 978-0-7787-4982-0; ISBN 978-0-7787-4998-1. ea vol: 32p. (Horsing Around Series). photos. reprods. glossary. index. CIP. Crabtree 2009. PLB $19.95; pap. $8.95. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–Horse lovers will relish the details in this series about equine competitions. The books begin with “101” sections that elucidate the particulars of the relevant event. Other chapter spreads discuss history, best breeds, and horse superstars. Dramatic photographs in various sizes and from different perspectives show riders parading in vivid regalia or participating in intense competitions, and horses being groomed or cared for by vets (Steeplechase's picture of a grinning horse will elicit smiles from readers). Fact boxes provide trivia such as an explanation of the phrase “long in the teeth.” This series could be used for reports or for pleasure reading.
GIGLIOTTI, Jim. Defensive Backs diag. illus. ISBN 978-1-4339-1964-0. LC 2009006801.GIGLIOTTI, Jim. Linebackers illus. ISBN 978-1-4339-1959-6. LC 2009006802.
GIGLIOTTI, Jim. Lineman illus. ISBN 978-1-4339-1960-2. LC 2009002272.
GIGLIOTTI, Jim. Receivers chart. diag. illus. ISBN 978-1-4339-1962-6. LC 2008055595.
KELLEY, K.C. Quarterbacks diag. illus. ISBN 978-1-4339-1961-9. LC 2008055596.
KELLEY, K.C. Running Backs ISBN 978-1-4339-1963-3. LC 2009002277. ea vol: 48p. (Game Day: Football Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens 2009. PLB $31.
Gr 3-5–Football fans will be thrilled to browse through these books that detail the various playing positions and some current and past athletes who have occupied them. Each book begins with an exciting description of a famous play and then provides a brief history of the position and profiles of players. The attractive page design showcases a mix of colorful photographs along with some vintage black-and-white shots, all within an attractive green border that shows yardage marks on a field. The final chapter “Future Star: You!” personalizes the text by giving tips on playing the various positions. This series will generate discussion and sharing of opinions about favorite players and record book statistics.
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Cycling ISBN 978-1-4329-3457-6. LC 2009007085.GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Dancing ISBN 978-1-4329-3501-6. LC 2009008962.
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Gymnastics ISBN 978-1-4329-3454-5. LC 2009007084.
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Soccer ISBN 978-1-4329-3456-9. LC 2009007082.
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Swimming ISBN 978-1-4329-3455-2. LC 2009007083. ea vol: 24p. (Sports and My Body Series). photos. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Heinemann Library 2009. PLB $21.36.
Gr 1-2–Covering common sports familiar to most youngsters, these titles relate activity to health. Each chapter spread begins with a heading in the form of a question such as “What Is Cycling?” Readers then progress to learning how to use their arms, legs, and the rest of their bodies to perfect skills. A final page labels pieces of equipment. The large font stands out on a white background that is positioned below large photographs of boys and girls, including children who are disabled, actively engaged in the sport. Each book has the same culminating sentences explaining that the pastime “is good exercise and will help you keep fit” and explains that in order to stay healthy, children should get plenty of rest, eat healthy food, and drink plenty of water. Bright readers will point out this repetition if they chose to read more than one book in the series.
KARAPETKOVA, Holly. Baseball diag. ISBN 978-1-60694-321-2. LC 2009002253.KARAPETKOVA, Holly. Cheerleading ISBN 978-1-60694-322-9. LC 2009002254.
KARAPETKOVA, Holly. Dance ISBN 978-1-60694-323-6. LC 2009002256.
KARAPETKOVA, Holly. Gymnastics ISBN 978-1-60694-325-0. LC 2009002258.
KARAPETKOVA, Holly. Karate ISBN 978-1-60694-324-3. LC 2009002257.
KARAPETKOVA, Holly. Soccer ISBN 978-1-60694-320-5. LC 2009002255. ea vol: 24p. (Sports for Sprouts Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rourke 2009. PLB $27.07.
Gr 1-2–Beginning readers will enjoy this series as they see enthusiasts their own age participating in familiar sports. Both boys and girls are photographed in each title except for Cheerleading. In large font on a white background, each spread features simple declarative sentences (“I hold the bat and swing. I hit the ball”) that match the picture on the opposing page. The glossaries provide simple explanations along with the pronunciations of the selected words. While there is little substantive information here, these titles will fill the need for nonfiction books at the lowest vocabulary level.
SANDLER, Michael. Cool Snowboarders ISBN 978-1-59716-949-3. LC 2009005547.SANDLER, Michael. Daring BMXers ISBN 978-1-59716-952-3. LC 2009019769.
SANDLER, Michael. Gnarly Skateboarders ISBN 978-1-59716-947-9. LC 2009002156.
SANDLER, Michael. Mighty MotoXers ISBN 978-1-59716-951-6. LC 2009014616.
SANDLER, Michael. Rally Car Dudes ISBN 978-1-59716-948-6. LC 2009015032.
SANDLER, Michael. Super Surfers maps. ISBN 978-1-59716-953-0. LC 2009007697. ea vol: 24p. (X-Moves Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Bearport 2009. PLB $22.61.
Gr 3-5–Readers may not have tried, or even witnessed, many of these sports in person. Nonetheless, they will welcome these overviews that feature short sentences coupled with colorful action photographs, and that all include at least one famous female competitor. History, basics, and important competitions are covered in a spread each, with text on one page and a full-page photograph on the other (many photos show superstars wearing the recommended helmets and other safety gear). Interesting fact boxes further explain concepts from the narratives. Closing “101” sections detail the equipment necessary. Rally Car Dudes, the most unusual offering, disappointingly does not fully describe what the sport is until the third chapter. Select individual titles as needed.
ATHA, Antony & Simon Frost. Fitness for Young People Step-by-Step ISBN 978-1-4358-3364-7. LC 2009013245.BURNS, Brian & Mark Dunning. Basketball Step-by-Step ISBN 978-1-4358-3360-9. LC 2009014417.
JENNINGS, Madeleine & Alan Smith, Alan Bloomfield. Baseball Step-by-Step ISBN 978-1-4358-3361-6. LC 2009013246.
JENNINGS, Madeleine & Alan Smith, Alan Bloomfield. Magic Step-by-Step ISBN 978-1-4358-3363-0. LC 2009013221.
JENNINGS, Madeleine & Alan Smith, Alan Bloomfield. Soccer Step-by-Step ISBN 978-1-4358-3362-3. LC 2009012538.
STOCK, Charlotte & Ben Powell. Skateboarding Step-by-Step ISBN 978-1-4358-3365-4. LC 2009011414. ea vol: 96p. (Skills in Motion Series). illus. photos. further reading. index. CIP. Rosen Central Nov. 2009. PLB $31.95.
Gr 5-8–The introductions to these books explain the goal of each sport, key vocabulary, the playing area, basic rules, equipment, and warm-up stretches. Colorful photographs show the entire movement of each skill presented, giving new meaning to the term “step-by-step.” Progression borders at the bottom of the pages highlight the salient points to notice in performing each skill from beginning to end. For example, the border in Fitness instructs readers how to regulate their breathing while performing various exercises, and one in Basketball explains the steps needed to execute a chest pass (“end dribble, gather ball, step forward…”). Fitness becomes repetitive, but the other books are more successful. Except Magic and Baseball, the titles show players, including women, of the same age as the books’ audience. Unfortunately, the skateboarders are portrayed with the minimum of safety equipment, the helmet, and it is doubtful that all the soccer players are wearing shin guards. Select individual titles as needed.
FREEDMAN, Jeri. Professional Wrestling: Steroids In and Out of the Ring ISBN 978-1-4358-5305-8. LC 2009001041.POTERFIELD, Jason. Major League Baseball: The Great Steroid Scandals ISBN 978-1-4358-5302-7. LC 2008055581.
SOMMERS, Annie Leah. College Athletics: Steroids and Supplement Abuse ISBN 978-1-4358-5303-4. LC 2008055408.
SOMMERS, Michael. The NFL: Steroids and Human Growth ISBN 978-1-4358-5304-1. LC 2008056131. ea vol: 48p. (Disgraced! The Dirty History of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Rosen Central Nov. 2009. PLB $26.50.
Gr 5-8–Corrupt practices and steroid use in the United States are featured in this series about college and professional athletes. Chapters cover issues such as “Wrestling, Steroids, and Death” (Wrestling), “Tainted Legacies” (Baseball), and “The Tommy Chaikin Story” (College Athletics). Report writers will also gain relevant facts from text boxes covering such subjects as “Steroid Side Effects.” Amazing statements from athletes giving reasons why they took illegal drugs are good for discussion topics and will send readers to the primary and secondary sources listed in the extensive bibliographies to see the end results of these confessions. Photos of Roger Clemens testifying before Congress in 2008 make the series current. Each book concludes with thoughts regarding future additional legislation. Useful updates.
WHITING, Jim. Blood and Guts: The Basics of Mixed Martial Arts illus. ISBN 978-1-4296-3428-1. LC 2009007346.WHITING, Jim. Inside the Cage: The Greatest Fights of Mixed Martial Arts ISBN 978-1-4296-3426-7. LC 2009007344.
WHITING, Jim. A New Generation of Warriors: The History of Mixed Martial Arts illus. ISBN 978-1-4296-3427-4. LC 2009007339.
WHITING, Jim. Striking, Grappling, and Ground Fighting: The Skills Behind Mixed Martial Arts ISBN 978-1-4296-3425-0. LC 2009007337. ea vol: 48p. (The World of Mixed Martial Arts Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Capstone 2009. PLB $27.99.
Gr 5-8–This series stands out for its exciting subject matter that has been popularized on television but that is not prevalent in material for this audience. Covering history, skills, basic rules, and greatest fights, Whiting provides information in fact boxes and in short bursts of text. Dramatic camera angles show sweating, bloody kickboxers, and cagefighters from just outside the ring. The black, red, and gold palette reflects the intensity of this sport that is often considered violent. The uninitiated will learn new vocabulary and that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is comprised of pankration, wrestling, and boxing. The author also discusses how politics has entered into the viewing of competitions on network and pay-per-view television. Fans of the sport will be mesmerized by these books.
Crabtree’s “Horsing Around” and Gareth Stevens’s “Game Day: Football” examine popular sports in a new way and will appeal to their target audiences. While Capstone’s “World of Mixed Martial Arts” and Rosen’s “Disgraced! The Dirty History of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports” offer something new for older readers, Rourke’s “Sports for Sprouts” and Heinemann’s “Sports and My Body” provide simple texts for an audience new to nonfiction. Crabtree’s “Winter Olympic Sports,” although covering a timely topic, is a marginal purchase. Specific titles from the other series are acceptable as noted in the reviews.
Heroes of Court and Field
Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
KELLEY, K. C. Chicago Bears ISBN 978-1-60253-313-4. LC 2009009063.KELLEY, K. C.. Dallas Cowboys ISBN 978-1-60253-314-1. LC 2009009064.
KELLEY, K. C.. Green Bay Packers ISBN 978-1-60253-315-8. LC 2009009065.
KELLEY, K. C.. Indianapolis Colts ISBN 978-1-60253-320-2. LC 2009009070.
KELLEY, K. C.. New England Patriots ISBN 978-1-60253-316-5. LC 2009009066.
KELLEY, K. C.. New York Giants ISBN 978-1-60253-317-2. LC 2009009067.
KELLEY, K. C.. Oakland Raiders ISBN 978-1-60253-318-9. LC 2009009068.
KELLEY, K. C.. Pittsburgh Steelers ISBN 978-1-60253-319-6. LC 2009009069. ea vol: 32p. (Favorite Football Teams Series). illus. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. The Child’s World 2009. PLB $17.95.
Gr 2-5–These titles are also quite short, but fans as well as newcomers will be drawn to the dramatic photographs that drop readers into the action. This series updates and partially overlaps the information in the publisher’s “Inside the NFL” series (2008). The books boast attractive designs: factoids and statistics appear in colorful text boxes, and wraparound borders on each page feature each team’s colors. The information is up-to-date and relevant: fans will note that Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay’s newest quarterback and not former fan favorite, Brett Favre, is on the cover of that book. Each title offers a page of text and a chart devoted to the dimensions and properties of a football field. Another nice feature details each piece of equipment worn by a player; the man in each color photograph is identified too.
MACRAE, Sloan. The Boston Red Sox ISBN 978-1-4042-8130-1. LC 2009005755.MACRAE, Sloan. The Dallas Cowboys ISBN 978-1-4042-8145-5. LC 2009007215.
MACRAE, Sloan. The Los Angeles Lakers ISBN 978-1-4042-8132-5. LC 2009009504.
MACRAE, Sloan. The New York Yankees ISBN 978-1-4042-8129-5. LC 2009004851.
MACRAE, Sloan. The Pittsburgh Steelers ISBN 978-1-4042-8131-8. LC 2009008641.
MACRAE, Sloan. The San Antonio Spurs ISBN 978-1-4042-8133-2. LC 2009009588. ea vol: 24p. (America’s Greatest Teams Series). photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. Nov. 2009. PLB $21.25.
Gr 2-4–This series engages readers with its conversational style, large fonts, and full-page photographs, limns each team’s history and describes logos and uniforms, home fields, fans, mascots, and traditions. The San Antonio Spurs, for example, celebrate major wins with a boat parade along the city’s famed River Walk. The brief information is augmented by well-chosen photographs. Los Angeles Lakers offers crisp shots of the team stars of past and present, from Wilt Chamberlain to Kobe Bryant; additionally, there’s a courtside photo of celebrity fans Zac Efron and Leonardo DiCaprio. Both Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees do a satisfactory job of telescoping the teams’ illustrious history into these rigidly compact easy readers.
