(3) 4-6 SportsZone: Sports' Biggest Moments series. These books offer a potpourri of memorable, unexpected, or groundbreaking moments in college, professional, and Olympic sports where even stars make mistakes and where sometimes little-known players become overnight heroes because of clutch performances. Compelling archival photos and well-placed sidebars supplement the dramatic action narratives that diehard young sports fans will devour. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Sports' Biggest Moments titles: Biggest Chokes in Sports, Biggest Blunders in Sports, Greatest Comebacks in Sports, and Biggest Upsets in Sports.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Sports Stars Who Care series. These books touch on the philanthropic efforts of the title sports stars, in some cases greatly padded by biographical information and career stats (Albert Pujols started a foundation for kids with Down syndrome, which his daughter has, making his efforts seem more personal). Beyond the do-gooder hook there's nothing much new, but reluctant readers will appreciate the accessible writing style and sports photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars Who Care titles: Derek Jeter, Lionel Messi, Tim Tebow, Dwight Howard, Shaun White, Eli Manning, and [Albert Pujols.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Sports Star Champions series. These formulaic biographies feature accessible texts describing the careers of famous athletes and plenty of full-page color photographs. The open, non-intimidating pages and information that should satisfy book-report requirements recommend the titles for purchase. Difficulties some of the athletes have had (such as "personal problems" for Bryant and steroid use for Rodriguez) are acknowledged but not sensationalized. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Star Champions titles: Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Payton Manning, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Sports Star Champions series. These formulaic biographies feature accessible texts describing the careers of famous athletes and plenty of full-page color photographs. The open, non-intimidating pages and information that should satisfy book-report requirements recommend the titles for purchase. Difficulties some of the athletes have had (such as "personal problems" for Bryant and steroid use for Rodriguez) are acknowledged but not sensationalized. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Star Champions titles: Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Payton Manning, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Sports Star Champions series. These formulaic biographies feature accessible texts describing the careers of famous athletes and plenty of full-page color photographs. The open, non-intimidating pages and information that should satisfy book-report requirements recommend the titles for purchase. Difficulties some of the athletes have had (such as "personal problems" for Bryant and steroid use for Rodriguez) are acknowledged but not sensationalized. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Star Champions titles: Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Payton Manning, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Sports Stars Who Care series. This series ostensibly highlights professional athletes' good works. The majority of each text is actually biographical information which, while not inaccurate, is nothing really new. Philanthropic work is usually touched upon at the end. Reluctant readers will appreciate the accessible writing style and sports photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars Who care titles: Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., David Wright, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) K-3 Sports Stars Who Care series. This series ostensibly highlights professional athletes' good works. The majority of each text is actually biographical information which, while not inaccurate, is nothing really new. Philanthropic work is usually touched upon at the end. Reluctant readers will appreciate the accessible writing style and sports photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars Who care titles: Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., David Wright, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Top 10 Sports Stars series. From Babe Ruth to Alex Rodriguez, Oscar Robertson to LeBron James, John Unitas to Tom Brady, this collection provides information about celebrated players. Anecdotes include "the Curse of the Bambino" and Terry Bradshaw's "most famous pass in NFL history." Though the information is selective, the volumes' glossy action photos, concise statistics, and accessible writing style may appeal to reluctant-reader sports fans. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Top 10 Sports Stars titles: Baseball's Top 10 Home Run Hitters, Baseball's Top 10 Pitchers, Basketball's Top 10 Slam Dunkers, Basketball's Top 10 Scorers, Football's Top 10 Quarterbacks, and Football's Top 10 Running Backs.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Top 10 Sports Stars series. From Babe Ruth to Alex Rodriguez, Oscar Robertson to LeBron James, John Unitas to Tom Brady, this collection provides information about celebrated players. Anecdotes include "the Curse of the Bambino" and Terry Bradshaw's "most famous pass in NFL history." Though the information is selective, the volumes' glossy action photos, concise statistics, and accessible writing style may appeal to reluctant-reader sports fans. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Top 10 Sports Stars titles: Baseball's Top 10 Home Run Hitters, Baseball's Top 10 Pitchers, Basketball's Top 10 Slam Dunkers, Basketball's Top 10 Scorers, Football's Top 10 Quarterbacks, and Football's Top 10 Running Backs.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Top 10 Sports Stars series. From Babe Ruth to Alex Rodriguez, Oscar Robertson to LeBron James, John Unitas to Tom Brady, this collection provides information about celebrated players. Anecdotes include "the Curse of the Bambino" and Terry Bradshaw's "most famous pass in NFL history." Though the information is selective, the volumes' glossy action photos, concise statistics, and accessible writing style may appeal to reluctant-reader sports fans. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Top 10 Sports Stars titles: Baseball's Top 10 Home Run Hitters, Baseball's Top 10 Pitchers, Basketball's Top 10 Slam Dunkers, Basketball's Top 10 Scorers, Football's Top 10 Quarterbacks, and Football's Top 10 Running Backs.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Sports Stars with Heart series. Though they're a bit idealized, professional athletes in baseball, basketball, and football are honored here for their personal and professional role-model status. The bulk of each book details the athlete's impressive career; the subject's childhood, community service, and charitable works are also highlighted. Many photographs, sidebars, and career stats are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars with Heart titles: LaDainian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Shaquille O'Neal, and Tim Duncan.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 A readable format profiles twelve women athletes and one basketball team who overcame the odds. Rappoport skillfully creates suspense and immediacy by setting the scene for and telling the story of each woman's goal--swimming the English Channel, racing in the Iditarod, etc.--then detailing her life and training. This is an unassuming book that should inspire girls. Bib.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 Sports Leaders series. Pro basketball players Kidd and Carter are profiled in well-documented if pedestrian prose that emphasizes athletic achievements over their personal lives. Many of the accompanying black-and-white photographs are intentionally fractured, a technique that adds action and movement to otherwise standard sports shots. College and NBA career statistics are included in both volumes. Websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Sports Leaders titles: Jason Kidd and Vince Carter.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. Six contemporary baseball stars are honored in serviceable biographies, all generously illustrated with color photos, intended for reluctant readers. The books' basic, unremarkable writing focuses primarily on key moments in the players' major-league careers. Rodriguez, currently playing for the Yankees, is pictured in his Rangers uniform; the other titles are also outdated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super Sports Star titles: Super Sports Star Mike Piazza, Super Sports Star Alex Rodriguez, Super Sports Star Ichiro Suzuki, Super Sports Star Barry Bonds, Super Sports Star Chipper Jones, and Super Sports Star Ken Griffey, Jr.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. Six contemporary baseball stars are honored in serviceable biographies, all generously illustrated with color photos, intended for reluctant readers. The books' basic, unremarkable writing focuses primarily on key moments in the players' major-league careers. Rodriguez, currently playing for the Yankees, is pictured in his Rangers uniform; the other titles are also outdated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super Sports Star titles: Super Sports Star Mike Piazza, Super Sports Star Alex Rodriguez, Super Sports Star Ichiro Suzuki, Super Sports Star Barry Bonds, Super Sports Star Chipper Jones, and Super Sports Star Ken Griffey, Jr.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. Each of these superficial biographies presents an NFL star's accomplishments on the field. The text touches on the subject's personal life and mentions the importance of working hard, but the focus is on exciting game details and statistics. The large print and color action photos may attract young fans and reluctant readers. Directory, reading list, stats, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Super Sports Star titles: Super Sports Star Jerome Bettis, Super Sports Star Brett Favre, Super Sports Star Daunte Culpepper, Super Sports Star Eddie George, and Super Sports Star Randy Moss.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. Manning, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, has become one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League since his debut with the NFL in 1998. This conversational biography covers Manning's high school, college, and professional career superficially, but it will probably appeal to young sports fans anyway. Color photos are included, but the design is uninteresting. Directory, reading list, stats, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. Each book in this series provides a superficial introduction to a contemporary standout in the NBA. The portraits highlight exciting game details and statistics, yet contain little personal background. The large print and the stock photographs of each player's professional team may appeal to young fans. Career statistics and contact information are included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these titles: Super Sports Star Grant Hill, Super Sports Star Glen Rice, Super Sports Star Chris Webber, Super Sports Star Jason Kidd, Super Sports Star Vince Carter.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Sports Reports series. The careers of basketball's Bryant, Garnett, and Swoops and of football player Brunell are traced in these adequate biographies. Each book in this series begins by detailing a pivotal competition, followed by chapters on the player's childhood and career accomplishments. The dull format and grainy black-and-white photographs do nothing to enhance the text, but fans may be satisfied with the athletes' stories. Statistics are included. Ind. [Review covers these Sports Reports titles: Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Sheryl Swoopes, and Mark Brunell.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. These formulaic biographies outline the athletic careers of four professional basketball players. With only stock photographs from each player's professional team and a brief chapter on his childhood, the books offer little depth. The large print, readable text, and color photographs, however, may encourage young fans. Career statistics and contact information are included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Super Sports titles: Super Sports Star Gary Payton, Super Sports Star Penny Hardaway, Super Sports Star Kevin Garnett, Super Sports Star Kobe Bryant.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck