Hockey

Gr 5–9—This series celebrates eight popular sports and cites the reasons that so many people are passionate about them. Each volume draws readers in with a chapter describing a key moment in that sport's history. For example, Hockey highlights the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" when the U.S. Olympic team defeated the Soviet Union. Subsequent chapters are devoted to the earliest history of each game, how it developed into its current form, and key players from the 19th century through the present. The coverage is international in scope and discusses women's entry into the playing arena and some of the stars. The thorough and engaging texts are complemented by abundant photographs. Sidebars expand on the main text. Regrettably, the selected bibliography does not do justice to the insightful quotes that are interspersed through all the volumes.