(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Aburtov. Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in tennis (Doubles), football (Punter's), bull-riding (Rodeo), and golf (Secondhand). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of focus and fair play to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Double Trouble, Punter's Pride, Rodeo Challenge, and Secondhand Slice.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Aburtov. Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in tennis (Doubles), football (Punter's), bull-riding (Rodeo), and golf (Secondhand). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of focus and fair play to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Double Trouble, Punter's Pride, Rodeo Challenge, and Secondhand Slice.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Sean Tiffany. Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in tennis (Doubles), football (Punter's), bull-riding (Rodeo), and golf (Secondhand). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of focus and fair play to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Double Trouble, Punter's Pride, Rodeo Challenge, and Secondhand Slice.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Sean Tiffany. Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in tennis (Doubles), football (Punter's), bull-riding (Rodeo), and golf (Secondhand). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of focus and fair play to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Double Trouble, Punter's Pride, Rodeo Challenge, and Secondhand Slice.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Sports Illustrated Kids: Sports Stats and Stories series. For young sports enthusiasts with an interest in numbers, these two books identify old and new statistical concepts in each sport; explain their potential importance; and personalize this analysis with vignettes of pro athletes who have set game, season, and career records. The numbers-focused narratives are supplemented by action photos and many charts with stats. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Sports Illustrated Kids: Sports Stats and Stories titles: Basketball Stats and the Stories Behind Them and Football Stats and the Stories Behind Them.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Sports Illustrated Kids: Sports Stats and Stories series. For young sports enthusiasts with an interest in numbers, these two books identify old and new statistical concepts in each sport; explain their potential importance; and personalize this analysis with vignettes of pro athletes who have set game, season, and career records. The numbers-focused narratives are supplemented by action photos and many charts with stats. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Sports Illustrated Kids: Sports Stats and Stories titles: Basketball Stats and the Stories Behind Them and Football Stats and the Stories Behind Them.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. Text by Leigh McDonald. These sports-themed stories highlight important skills necessary for team activities, specifically self-confidence (Pool) and teamwork (Volleyball). Fast pacing keeps the predictable plots focused and easy to follow; black-and-white digital illustrations reflect reality with diverse characters. Appropriate for discussions about character building and social skills. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Pool Panic and Volleyball Victory.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. Text by Leigh McDonald. These sports-themed stories highlight important skills necessary for team activities, specifically self-confidence (Pool) and teamwork (Volleyball). Fast pacing keeps the predictable plots focused and easy to follow; black-and-white digital illustrations reflect reality with diverse characters. Appropriate for discussions about character building and social skills. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Pool Panic and Volleyball Victory.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Aburtov. Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in lacrosse (Laser) and track and field (Shot). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of fair play and focus to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Lacrosse Laser and Second Shot.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Aburtov. Black-and-white full-page illustrations accompany these hi-lo stories involving talented athletes in lacrosse (Laser) and track and field (Shot). The message-laden texts highlight the importance of fair play and focus to achieve team victory and accomplish personal goals. The engaging, action-packed stories should appeal to sports enthusiasts. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Lacrosse Laser and Second Shot.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Aburtov. These easy-to-read sports-centric stories concern themes of trust and ethics. The protagonists of both stories must balance their personal feelings and problems with the needs of each one's respective team if they all are to succeed together. The story lines are predictable, but expressive illustrations convey characters' emotions and add some depth to the situations. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and a soccer/baseball "Dictionary" are included. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Caught Stealing and Soccer Shake-Up.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Aburtov. These easy-to-read sports-centric stories concern themes of trust and ethics. The protagonists of both stories must balance their personal feelings and problems with the needs of each one's respective team if they all are to succeed together. The story lines are predictable, but expressive illustrations convey characters' emotions and add some depth to the situations. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and a soccer/baseball "Dictionary" are included. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Caught Stealing and Soccer Shake-Up.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 1-3 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. Text by Leigh McDonald (Softball) / Margaret Gurevich (Soccer). In these short chapter books, Jo is assigned to a losing softball team and Gina is playing soccer at a new school. Though action supersedes substance, who cares? It's the ease of barreling through the approachable sports stories that's most alluring. Cartoony, full-page black-and-white illustrations don't add much. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about each sport are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Soccer Show-Off and Softball Surprise.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 1-3 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. Text by Leigh McDonald (Softball) / Margaret Gurevich (Soccer). In these short chapter books, Jo is assigned to a losing softball team and Gina is playing soccer at a new school. Though action supersedes substance, who cares? It's the ease of barreling through the approachable sports stories that's most alluring. Cartoony, full-page black-and-white illustrations don't add much. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about each sport are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Soccer Show-Off and Softball Surprise.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 1-3 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Jesus Aburto. Text by Eric Stevens. Accompanied by black-and-white full-page caricatured illustrations, these two short books about skateboarding and paintball teach young readers about dealing with bullies nonviolently and the importance of adult authority figures' involvement. Though message-laden, the low-level chapter books will appeal to sports-loving struggling readers. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Reviews cover these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Board Battle and Paintball Problems.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 1-3 Jake Maddox Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Jesus Aburto. Text by Eric Stevens. Accompanied by black-and-white full-page caricatured illustrations, these two short books about skateboarding and paintball teach young readers about dealing with bullies nonviolently and the importance of adult authority figures' involvement. Though message-laden, the low-level chapter books will appeal to sports-loving struggling readers. Each book is supplemented by background on the sport, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Glos. Reviews cover these Jake Maddox Sports Stories titles: Board Battle and Paintball Problems.

Reviewer: Jack Forman