All About Basketball

April 1, 2015

Gr 2-4-Keeping the needs of beginning readers in mind, the authors of these books pair simple sentences with well-labeled photos, diagrams, and graphic aids. Sidebars and text boxes introduce the history, rules, equipment, and objectives of each sport. Football is defined as "a clash between offense and defense"; ensuing pages illustrate both of these terms. In Basketball, crisp prose evokes courtside drama ("The clock ticks down. A guard darts toward the hoop. Defenders swarm all around. The guard fires a pass. One second remains. The shot goes up. Swish! It's good!"). All offer clear diagrams of playing venues, and Hockey also features close-up photos of pucks and helmets. Both girls and boys are depicted (including Little League sensation Mo'Ne Davis), and Basketball gives equal space to the WNBA and its stars, along with the NBA. VERDICT This well-crafted series is an excellent choice for the youngest sports-minded pre- and emergent readers.

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