Many of the sports series published this season do not break new ground, but will be useful for updating older titles or building a core collection for a new library. A number of them feature appealing design that will generate reader interest, and the two hunting series will fill a gap in communities where this activity is popular.

Preschool - Grade 4

ADAMSON, Thomas K. Deer Hunting. ISBN 978-1-4296-4807-3. LC 2009053412. ————. Bowhunting. ISBN 978-1-4296-4808-0. LC 2009053410. ————. Duck Hunting. ISBN 978-1-4296-4809-7. LC 2010001097. LINDEEN, Carol K. Freshwater Fishing. ISBN 978-1-4296-4810-3. LC 2010001015. ea vol: 32p. (Blazers: Wild Outdoors Series). diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone. 2010. PLB $25.32. Gr 2-4—This series will fill a gap in many rural communities. The authors use simple vocabulary and short declarative sentences to explain hunting, and, in Lindeen's book, to provide information on lures and bait. Blocks of text or "Wild Facts" are scattered among the pages providing humorous or memorable trivia such as, "Animals can smell your breath…. Some hunters chew odorless gum." Close-up photography fills the pages and shows safe hunting attire. The woodsy palette of greens, brown, and bright hunter orange enhances the books' design. ADELMAN, Beth. Chicago Blackhawks. ISBN 978-1-60253-441-4. LC 2010015296. KELLEY, K.C. Anaheim Ducks. ISBN 978-1-60253-437-7. LC 2010015292. ————. Boston Bruins. ISBN 978-1-60253-438-4. LC 2010015293. LABRECQUE, Ellen. Pittsburgh Penguins. ISBN 978-1-60253-443-8. LC 2010015298. ————. Toronto Maple Leafs. ISBN 978-1-60253-444-5. LC 2010015300. ZEICHNER, Craig. Detroit Red Wings. ISBN 978-1-60253-439-1. LC 2010015294. ————. Montreal Canadiens. ISBN 978-1-60253-440-7. LC 2010015295. ————. New York Rangers. ISBN 978-1-60253-442-1. LC 2010015297. ea vol: 32p. (Favorite Hockey Teams Series). charts. diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. The Child's World. 2010. PLB $27.07. Gr 3-5—Fans will notice this series because of the large action shot of a hockey player on the front cover. Unfortunately, the writing is pedestrian and there is not much information here to satisfy those who peruse the pages. In a single paragraph per topic, each author covers the history of the team, their rivals on the rink, and the team's best and their worst three years. Each writer also lists three superstars and provides six text boxes of important statistics. Many of the words in the glossary are repeated in every book, and the hockey-rink paragraph and diagram are the same in every volume. Purchase where needed for local fans. DOEDEN, Matt. Play Football Like a Pro: Key Skills and Tips. ISBN 978-1-4296-4825-7. LC 2010007243. FOREST, Christopher. Play Soccer Like a Pro: Key Skills and Tips. ISBN 978-1-4296-4827-1. LC 2010007243. HETRICK, Hans. Play Baseball Like a Pro: Key Skills and Tips. ISBN 978-1-4296-4824-0. LC 2010007241. LEBOUTILLIER, Nate. Play Basketball Like a Pro: Key Skills and Tips. ISBN 978-1-4296-4826-4. LC 2010007242. ea vol: 32p. (Sports Illustrated Kids: Play Like the Pros Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone. 2010. PLB $25.32. Gr 3-4—This series homes in on specifics beyond the basics, such as how to slide in baseball or how to shoot three-pointers in basketball. Each book includes advice from professional coaches and athletes. Attractive photographs are placed next to the skills that are described in the narrative. However, that uniformity of photographs gives the books a rigid block-and-text appearance. Still, the books will encourage beginners to try one of these new tips or techniques. GLASER, Jason. Center. diags. ISBN 978-1-4339-3971-6. LC 2010018765. ————. Point Guard. diag. ISBN 978-1-4339-3974-7. LC 2010018166. ————. Power Forward. diag. ISBN 978-1-4339-3977-8. LC 2010016537. ————. Shooting Guard. diags. ISBN 978-1-4339-3980-8. LC 2010012451. ————. Small Forward. diags. ISBN 978-1-4339-3983-9. LC 2010012454. ea vol: 48p. (Tip-Off Basketball Series). charts. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens. 2010. PLB $31.95. Gr 3-6—Glaser explains the skills, tips, and tricks for each position on the court. Well-known stars who have played the position are given one biographical paragraph each, with several female players represented on a single page. The books conclude with a look at the record-book statistics for each position. The titles include quite a bit of information, using a limited vocabulary. While a quality, single-book overview of all the positions would have been preferable for older readers, this separation into short volumes with a smaller-sized text font works well for readers who need hi/lo material. MASON, Paul. BMX and Mountain Biking: The World's Best Parks, Trails, Streets, and Techniques. ISBN 978-1-4296-5499-9. LC 2010010045. ————. Kayaking: The World's Best Paddling Locations and Techniques. ISBN 978-1-4296-5501-9. LC 2010012528. ————. Rock Climbing: The World's Hottest Climbing Locations and Techniques. ISBN 978-1-4296-5500-2. LC 2010008900. ————. Skateboarding: The World's Coolest Skate Spots and Techniques. ISBN 978-1-4296-5498-2. LC 2010011812. ————. Snowboarding: The World's Most Sizzling Snowboard Spots and Techniques. ISBN 978-1-4296-5503-3. LC 2010012527. ————. Windsurfing: The World's Windiest Water Sport Spots and Techniques. ISBN 978-1-4296-5502-6. LC 2010014064. ea vol: 32p. (Passport to World Sports Series). maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone. 2010. PLB $26.65. Gr 3-4—These books point out not only how to participate in a few out-of-the-ordinary activities, but also the best locations and competitions for that particular sport worldwide. They will be terrific for students who are interested in learning pertinent vocabulary for the rarer sports such as rock climbing or windsurfing. Unfortunately, the busy pages are too packed with information, some of the action-filled photographs are too small, and there is not enough space around the text boxes. Maps are thumbnail-size and are too tiny to be of much use, though the location is named in the text. Not all of the skateboarders and snowboarders are wearing protective gear such as helmets. Consider this series as supplemental to ABDO's "Extreme Sports" (2010).

Grades 5 and Up

GIFFORD, Clive. Karate. ISBN 978-1-59771-275-0. LC 2009051537. ————. Kickboxing. ISBN 978-1-59771-276-7. LC 2009051538. ————. Wrestling. ISBN 978-1-59771-278-1. LC 2009051540. MASON, Paul. Boxing. ISBN 978-1-59771-273-6. LC 2009051535. ————. Judo. ISBN 978-1-59771-274-3. LC 2009051536. ————. Tae Kwon Do. ISBN 978-1-59771-277-4. LC 2009051539. ea vol: 32p. (Combat Sports Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Sea-to-Sea. 2010. PLB $28.50. Gr 4-6—This set represents activities that are familiar to young readers, often through film and television or because an older sibling or friend may be enjoying the sport. In some cases, young readers may have actually begun classes and will welcome seeing children represented in the dramatic photographs. Readers will be interested in comparing the various sports and pointing out similarities and differences. For example, Wrestling elucidates Olympic-, Professional-, and Folk-wrestling styles. Each book enumerates various moves that are characteristic of the combat sport. The authors also cover the history of the pursuits and profile famous stars. The books' design makes good use of white space, providing an inviting look for students who are learning about techniques and for examining records and statistics. Women are well represented throughout the pages. Use to refresh an older collection where needed. KENNEY, Karen L. Girls Play to Win Skiing & Snowboarding. ISBN 978-1-59953-391-9. LC 2010009808. MCDOUGALL, Chrös. Girls Play to Win Figure Skating. ISBN 978-1-59953-389-6. LC 2010009809. ————. Girls Play to Win Volleyball. ISBN 978-1-59953-392-6. LC 2010009810. MCMAHON, Dave. Girls Play to Win Hockey. diag. ISBN 978-1-59953-390-2. LC 2010009811. ROBINSON, Tom. Girls Play to Win Basketball. diag. ISBN 978-1-59953-388-9. LC 2010009814. ea vol: 64p. (Girls Play to Win Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Norwood House. 2010. PLB $26.60. Gr 5-8—These authors cover the history, basic rules, and superstars of some sports that female players have enjoyed and in which they have excelled. Each book includes tips for perfecting skills and discusses competitive events. Though the photographs are large for the books' trim size, they are often grainy, distant shots or pictures of a player's back, or are otherwise unremarkable, and include only sports stars as opposed to average teen competitors. Hockey stands out because of the shortage of information on female hockey players. Pass on the other volumes. LI, WenFang. Extreme Sports. charts. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1729-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9662-2. LC 2010007229. MCINTOSH, J.S. Basketball. diags. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1731-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-9664-6. LC 2010007228. ————. Football. charts. diags. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1733-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-9661-5. LC 2010007230. ————. Gymnastics. charts. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1734-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-9660-8. LC 2010010053. ————. Martial Arts. illus. ISBN 978-1-4222-1738-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-9657-8. LC 2010012753. ————. Soccer. charts. diag. illus. map. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1739-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-9656-1. LC 2010015259. ————. Weightlifting. diags. illus. ISBN 978-1-4222-1742-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-9653-0. LC 2010017922. ————. Wrestling. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1743-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-9652-3. LC 2010017923. SANNA, Gabriel. Baseball & Softball. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1730-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-9665-3. LC 2010007227. VANDERHOOF, Gabrielle. Cheerleading. charts. diags. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1732-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9663-9. LC 2010010052. ————. Hockey. charts. diags. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1735-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-9659-2. LC 2010010054. ————. Lacrosse. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1737-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-9658-5. LC 2010012754. ————. Track & Field. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1740-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-9655-4. LC 2010015261. ————. Volleyball. charts. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-1741-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-9654-7. LC 2010016872. ea vol: 96p. (Getting the Edge: Conditioning, Injuries, and Legal & Illicit Drugs Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Mason Crest. 2010. PLB $24.95; ebook $24.95. Gr 6-9—Not only does this series cover the history and the basic rules of each sport, but it also discusses tips on how to stay healthy and use protective equipment, and the dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs. Since the authors attempt to cover too much ground, the pages are overly dense with text. Even the colorful photographs cannot lighten up the packed volumes. Many of the photographs do not enhance the facts. An "Understanding the Words" page precedes each chapter. This odd way of introducing vocabulary such as "ligaments," "aerobic," and "rehabilitation" gives the impression of talking down to readers. However, since books on softball, lacrosse, track and field events, volleyball, and weightlifting have been scarce in recent years, these titles might be useful in some collections. Baseball, Football, and Wrestling have facts for report writing similar to the information in Rosen's "Disgraced! The Dirty History of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports" series (2009), so libraries that own it can pass on these titles. MACRAE, Sloan. Big-Game Hunting: Bears, Elk, and Other Large Animals. ISBN 978-1-4488-0705-5. LC 2010005272. ————. Deer Hunting. ISBN 978-1-4488-0710-9. LC 2010005272. ————. Small-Game Hunting: Rabbits, Squirrels, and Other Small Animals. ISBN 978-1-4488-0707-9. LC 2010007054. ————. Turkey Hunting. ISBN 978-1-4488-0709-3. LC 2010009528. ————. Upland Hunting: Pheasant, Quail, and Other Game Birds. ISBN 978-1-4488-0706-2. LC 2010006184. ————. Waterfowl Hunting. ISBN 978-1-4488-0708-6. LC 2010008349. ea vol: 32p. (Open Season Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2010. PLB $23.95. Gr 4-6—Covering a wide variety of game animals, MacRae introduces hunting and mentions following rules and laws in the community and obtaining a hunting license. There is also information about eating what is bagged, but no recipes are included. Both males and females are shown learning about safety. Photographs are placed in a pleasing pattern across the pages, on orange and green camouflaged backgrounds. Recognizing the controversial nature of hunting, the author discusses how, in the past, some animal populations were over-hunted to the point of extinction and outlines some measures taken today to prevent that problem. Worthy updates. MULLARKEY, Lisa. Cheerleading Basics. reprods. ISBN 978-0-7660-3536-2. LC 2009037240. ————. Cheerleading Spirit. ISBN 978-0-7660-3538-6. LC 2009037239. ————. Cheerleading Stunts and Tumbling. ISBN 978-0-7660-3537-9. LC 2010003872. ————. Cheerleading Tryouts and Competitions. reprods. ISBN 978-0-7660-3539-3. LC 2009044155. ea vol: 48p. (Ready, Set, Cheer! Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Enslow. 2010. PLB $23.93. Gr 4-6—This introductory series displays considerable overlap among volumes. Vivid photography appears on every page, and the books feature hot-pink covers with blue stars. Unfortunately, some of the pictures are superfluous, such as the one of scissors and yarn that can be used to make a spirit stick or the picture of pom poms. Both female and male cheerleaders are portrayed. While younger cheerleaders are shown in Tryouts, older teen or college-age students predominate in most of the illustrations. Libraries that own "Snap Books: Cheerleading" (Capstone, 2008) do not need this set. WISEMAN, Blaine. Baseball. ISBN 978-1-61690-109-7; ISBN 978-1-61690-110-3. LC number unavailable. ————. Basketball. ISBN 978-1-61690-118-9; ISBN 978-1-61690-119-6. LC 2010006154. ————. Football. ISBN 978-1-61690-103-5; ISBN 978-1-61690-104-2. LC number unavailable. ————. Hockey. ISBN 978-1-61690-112-7; ISBN 978-1-61690-113-4. LC 2010006155. ————. Moto X. ISBN 978-1-61690-115-8; ISBN 978-1-61690-116-5. LC number unavailable. ————. Soccer. ISBN 978-1-61690-106-6; ISBN 978-1-61690-107-3. LC 2010006156. ea vol: 24p. (Record Breakers Series). charts. map. photos. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. Weigl. 2010. PLB $28.55; pap. $12.95. ebook free with print purchase. Gr 4-6—Focusing on familiar records and statistics, this series presents stunning moments in sports with vivid, colorful photographs. Blocks of information and charts surround the attractive page design and will generate interest. Children will pore over the pages featuring their favorite sports. The publisher has provided media enhancement to this series online, which can be accessed by submitting a code listed on the second page of each book. By using the "Listen Button" found on the website, readers can hear the text read aloud. For the most part, the websites are the same ones that any student of this age can locate using a typical search engine. The best features are the imbedded short videos showing, for example, a black-and-white film of Babe Ruth in the material accompanying Baseball. The activity pages amount to little more than textbook worksheets or quizzes to print and fill in. Also, when students use the "Web Link" icon, they should not be lulled into a false sense of security just because they used Weigl's webpage entrance authentication procedures. There is the chance of getting sidetracked by inappropriate Google ads, such as one that can be accessed from a page that's associated with Football, which promises cash prizes every week for playing fantasy football. The Bottom Line

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Impressive new material and design are found in Capstone's "Blazers: Wild Outdoors" and PowerKids Press's "Open Season." Other attractive collections are Capstone's "Sports Illustrated Kids: Play Like the Pros," and "Passport to World Sports"; Sea-to-Sea's "Combat Sports"; Enslow's "Ready, Set, Cheer"; and selected titles in Mason Crest's "Getting the Edge: Conditioning, Injuries, and Legal & Illicit Drugs," as mentioned in the review. Though it has some problems, the online material that accompanies Weigl's "Record Breakers" provides short, engaging video clips that kids will enjoy, while Gareth Stevens's "Tip-Off: Basketball" will be a hit with readers who need hi/lo material. The Child's World's "Favorite Hockey Teams" and Norwood's "Girls Play to Win" are marginal selections.