April 1, 2023
Gr 3-5-The brightest stars in sports are profiled in this visually appealing series. Each athlete is given a fairly thorough biographical treatment, such as NFL quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, and Patrick Mahomes. All considered role models, their accomplishments are lauded before their future potential is assessed. Notably, Simone Biles's gymnastics prowess and her advocacy for mental health and victims of abuse are praised. Toward the back of each book, maps show the professional travels of each athlete, which is more interesting for stars of international renown like Lionel Messi, Serena Williams, and Shohei Ohtani than for homebodies like Steph Curry and Diana Taurasi. Leaning heavily on the energetic, brightly colored photos, the short blocks of text and factoid callouts are highlighted with graffiti-like graphics. The overall aesthetic is a bit busy, but for reluctant readers, there is much to draw the eye and the concise writing delivers the appropriate level of detail for browsers. VERDICT A first-purchase series full of flair.
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July 1, 2023
Grades 3-5 When it comes to the world of sports, there's no shortage of amazing players for fans to admire. The books in the Sports Superstars series (12 titles) let readers get up close to some of these famous athletes and learn more about their careers. Highly visual, this series keeps its stat-saturated text brief and places an emphasis on action-packed photos and colorful infographics. Simone Biles covers the astonishing number of medals--including 4 Olympic golds and 19 World Championship golds--won by this gymnast and her decision to prioritize her mental health during the 2020 Olympic Games. Short and quick reads, these books are perfect for general sports lovers and those looking for introductory sports biographies. Readers will be drawn to this high-interest series and the inspiring, diverse players it showcases.
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