Becky Sauerbrunn

October 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-In soccer, Rebecca "Becky" Sauerbrunn is known for her superb accomplishments, physical ability, and fierce determination. Born in 1985, she grew up in a St. Louis suburb as the youngest child and only daughter in her family. Her stamina in sports can be traced back to life with two older brothers whose playful antics did not deter her one bit. In elementary school, she was often the only girl on the soccer team. As she became older, she distinguished herself in awesome ways and made indelible impressions on her various coaches. Her passion for soccer and learning was remarkable. The author, a former sports journalist, does a commendable job in describing this athlete. The writing is engaging and presents a balanced viewpoint-Seigerman does point out areas where Sauerbrunn fell short. He elaborates on contributions Sauerbrunn is making to the future of women's soccer, particularly her involvement in the 2016 complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding wage inequity among women's and men's national soccer teams. VERDICT An insightful biography of a leading soccer star, and an easy addition to middle grade nonfiction collections.-Jeanette Lambert, formerly at Nashville-Davidson County Schools

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2017
Grades 3-6 This slim biography packs in an awful lot of information. Short chapters, running between two and seven pages, address soccer star Sauerbrunn's life and career, offering funny family anecdotes (several pages are devoted to alleged sibling torture), scenarios emphasizing Sauerbrunn's work ethic and determination, and play-by-play recaps of her most shining moments. The language is breezy and accessible, and amusing chapter headings keep things moving. There's a continuing stream of background information, so audiences can fully appreciate Sauerbrunn's achievements (her amazing midfield defense tends to be overshadowed by crowd-pleasing goals). The text does not shy away from negative aspects: injuries, stiff college and Olympic competition, and pay inequity at the professional level. Whether absorbing strategies for reading the action or learning how Sauerbrunn started the U.S. Soccer Team's Nerd Squad, readers will come away with a better understanding of the mechanics of soccer and an appreciation for this outstanding athlete and inspiring role model. Football fans may also enjoy the copublished Tamba Hali, which follows the trials and successes of the Liberian-born NFL linebacker.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)