How Football Works

Gr 3—7—One would be hard-pressed to think of an aspect of the game not addressed in these jam-packed pages. The bright, inviting layout is immensely appealing with a mix of colorful cartoon drawings and photos. The lively text is often humorous. Talking about the ball itself, "The official NFL ball sports a brown leather jacket. It's a funny shape. Talk about a total oddball!" The book has lots of "inside" information, e.g., Super Bowl balls are marked with a synthetic DNA that glows under laser light. The chapter titles give specific glimpses into contents and organization, such as "The Complete Athlete" (training, injuries, mental preparation), "Preparing for Battle" (equipment, practice), "The Science of Explosive Moves" (kicking, tackling, passing), and "Game Time" (action, formations, rules, regulations, terms). Each chapter includes a "Legends of the Game" segment that highlights players and specific games, such as the 1967 Ice Bowl, Drew Brees and the Saints helping to revitalize New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, how passing changed the game, etc. Not your average "How to Play the Game" book, this title really lives up to its blurb claim—"How Football Works covers football from every exciting angle." A super addition to most library collections.—Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI