Wayne Gretzky

February 15, 1997
%% This is a multi-book review: SEE also the title "On the Court with ... Michael Jordan." %% Gr. 3^-7. The exciting new Matt Christopher Sports Biography series from a maven of sports books for children is a very welcome addition to the ever-crowded collection of sports bios. Instead of being a collection of photos with some text thrown in as an afterthought, the series actually has some meat. Christopher tackles the big names, tracking their rise and examining what made them successful. In the cases of Jordan, Hill, Young, and Gretzky, self-determination and supportive parents were the key ingredients. Starting with their early childhood, Christopher reveals how they got interested in sports and all the work involved in making them the stars of their games. Of course, it's not all champagne and glory. Christopher describes some of the low points, too; for example, the time a young Gretzky was booed by his hometown. Colorful, descriptive highlights of key games are sure to make suspenseful reading, even when readers know the outcome. Christopher knows sports inside out, and children will hear the roar of the fans as they learn more about these fascinating players. ((Reviewed February 15, 1997))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1997, American Library Association.)