The World Series

June 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-Doeden, a sports writer who has written numerous books for children, provides a history of the World Series. Because the event dates back to 1903-beginning formally when two leagues, the American League and the National League, agreed to play a "best-of-seven series in October"-much of this history can be found in other titles. Doeden highlights a variety of topics in chapters such as "Unforgettable: The Greatest World Series Games Ever Played," "Coming up Clutch: The Best World Series Performers," and "From the Black Sox to the Bloody Sock: Memorable World Series Moments." Readers may be inspired to compare these "best" and "greatest" to those described in other sources, such as James Buckley's World Series (DK, 2004). What makes this book stand out is the brief section with paragraphs on other baseball championships: the College World League, the Negro World League, and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, to name a few. Vintage photographs are included along with new colorful action shots in an attractive arrangement that moves the narrative text along. The book concludes with a two-page chart listing World Series results from 1903 to 2012. Here is a chance to update older collections with a new and appealing overview.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2014
A condensed history of the World Series is filled with information and selected highlights. Although there had been a series in 1903, the first officially recognized World Series occurred in 1905, in the early years of what is considered the modern age of baseball. Since then, there have been thrills and spectacles, heroes and goats, and games that have reverberated through the years in memory and controversy. Doeden presents the Fall Classic's basic history as well as chapters spotlighting special games, players and individual moments, balancing long-ago events and players with those of recent years. All of them are interesting and informative, but no criteria are given concerning the selections. Every fan will find some favorites and also experience disappointment that some special ones are left out. A final chapter speculates on the future of the World Series and of baseball itself. Text is composed in accessible, conversational language and carefully arranged with clear headings in red display type announcing the player or the date and the teams involved, all augmented by period action photos and statistics. There are also sidebars, framed on a grass-green field, offering further information about the dead ball era, the Commissioner's Trophy, Shoeless Joe Jackson, the Curse of the Bambino and more. Endlessly fascinating and a sharing opportunity for children and adults who love the game. (statistics, source notes, glossary, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16)

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April 15, 2014
Grades 4-7 This valentine to the Fall Classic opens with a quick historythough only through the 2012 seriesthen goes on in separate chapters to highlight renowned games, awesome individual performances, and memorable plays or incidents. Aside from two mentions of the Black Sox scandal and a quick reference to drug misuse, the overall approach is upbeat. Doeden describes game action in accurate and dramatic ways, drops in statistics without overwhelming readers who are not rabid fans (a particular danger in baseball writing), and expands his accounts with frequent sidenotes on topics like the Deadball era, women's professional ball, and other baseball championships such as the Japan Series and the Negro World Series. The color photos on every spread are almost all action shots and capture the excitement of each feat or moment. An adequate set of recommended print and web resources follows a closing won-lost chart. A fine commemoration of the World Series' first century.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)