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Sports--Skis and skiing
38 Reviews
(4)
4-6
Borden's admiration for American Pete Seibert's skill as a skier and his heroism as a WWII soldier in the Italian Alps is clear, but her writing is uncharacteristically colorless. However, text laid out as free verse makes for extremely accessible reading, and archival photographs appear prominently throughout the spacious design. There's not a ton of information here, but back matter directs readers to more in-depth material. Timeline. Bib.
Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Danni Gowdy.
A second-person narrative describes how "your" pet giraffe begs to ski. When the giraffe takes off for the "Big Scary Slope," you have no choice but to follow. Clever use of framed vignettes provides step-by-step instruction for snapping on bindings, untangling skis, and even tackling the chairlift. The illustrations' silly cartoony style underscores the implied message: trying new things can be a lot of fun.
Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum
(3)
YA
After being kicked out of ballet school for not meeting expectations, thirteen-year-old British girl Mouse reluctantly attends a ski trip in the French Alps. With a cute boy named Jack, new friends, a French pop star, and a trio of mean girls, the trip is more eventful than Mouse ever imagined. Mouse's and Jack's alternating perspectives capture the heady excitement of tween crushes, and the side characters are entertaining and authentic.
Reviewer: Mariko Turk
(3)
4-6
Survivor Diaries series.
When twelve-year-old twins Ashley and Ryan are caught in an avalanche on a skiing trip in Wyoming's Grand Teton Mountains, Ashley's quick-thinking and instinctual decision-making help them survive. On a sixth-grade geocaching field trip in New Mexico, former best friends Jen and Martin must rely on each other when they're separated from their class during a dust storm. These well-paced and easy-to-read wilderness stories integrate real survival techniques; region-specific tips are also appended. Review covers these Survivor Diaries titles: Avalanche! and Dust Storm!.
Reviewer: Rita Soltan
(3)
4-6
Sports All-Stars series.
Succinct, easy-to-read biographies of these sports stars include brief looks at each person's childhood before focusing on that individual's particular training and road to athletic success. Dramatic narration, direct quotes, color photographs, and sidebars round out the informative main texts; all-star statistics for that sport are appended. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports All-Stars titles: Lindsey Vonn, Stephen Curry, Luke Kuechly, and Simone Biles.
Reviewer: Rita Soltan
(3)
4-6
During summer near Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, twelve-year-old Seattle native Kestrel comes up with a unique idea to save her grandmother's failing ski lodge from a property developer. A likable character, Kestrel faces mild drama outwardly in her family, and also inwardly as she successfully works to overcome her fears (such as of heights, by taking an unexpectedly exciting gondola ride).
Reviewer: Carolyn Shute
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Christina Leist.
In Bike, a young child and his mother go for an autumn bike ride while Dad stays with the baby. In Skis, it's Dad's turn to take the boy downhill skiing while Mom and baby watch. Both books feature simple experiences; softly colored, cartoony illustrations; the briefest of texts; and lots of rhyming onomatopoeia to hold preschoolers' interests. Review covers these titles: On My Bike and On My Skis.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano
(4)
YA
Teens back-country skiing through a dangerous Rocky Mountain pass drift off track and find themselves trapped by an avalanche. What was supposed to be a chance for protagonist Matt to get away from his flake of a dad becomes a trial of survival in the wild. After a slow start, the tension builds into a harrowing wilderness adventure.
Reviewer: David Elzey
(3)
YA
Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series.
Shocked by her grandmother's cancer diagnosis, April is confused by her decision to not seek treatment and instead take an extended family ski trip. April is saddened by her closest cousin's sudden standoffishness and is thrown off course on the slopes by peer pressure. This seventh series entry is a nuanced, warm exploration of a family's reaction to a looming loss amidst everyday teenage drama.
Reviewer: Pam Yosca
(3)
4-6
The CIA has asked espionage student Ben Ripley to befriend Jessica, daughter of Chinese crime boss Leo Shang, during their Rocky Mountain ski trip. Skiing in Vail and flirting with the pretty Jessica seems like a cushy assignment--until Ben's best friend arrives and threatens to blow his cover. Like the other Spy School books, this fourth installment is packed with humor and action.
Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay
(4)
K-3
Beginning Sports series.
Appropriate for young elementary-age children, this series provides brief, motivational introductions to a variety of sports. Appealing color photos complement easy-to-read but minimal texts (written in both second and third person) covering each sport's equipment, clothing, and rules, along with suggestions on how to keep safe while participating. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Beginning Sports titles: Cross-Country Skiing, Dodgeball, Flag Football, Gymnastics, Ice Fishing, and T-Ball.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox JV series.
A mixture of fast-paced sports action and interpersonal conflicts plays out in these message-based hi-lo novels about middle schoolers on JV basketball, snowboarding, soccer, and tae kwon do teams. Readers will relate to the characters' emotions in each predictably resolved conflict. The easy-to-read books also include discussion questions, writing prompts, and interesting facts about each sport. Glos. Review covers the following Jake Maddox JV titles: Basketball Breakdown, Snowboard Struggle, Soccer Step-Up, and Tae Kwon Do Clash.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(4)
K-3
In their latest "problem" story, the PBS Kids stars teach some skiing penguins competing in the Animal Winter Games to distinguish among "over," "under," and "in between." Despite the excessive exclamation points and font varieties, this story, based on a Peg + Cat television script, is overtly educational. The art conjures stills from the show.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
PS
It's an exciting day on the slopes for an enthusiastic red-scarfed white bunny--and for the reader, too, who must shake, tilt, and turn the book to "create" snow and seemingly propel the skier down a hill (but watch out for that die-cut hole at the end!). The interactive element, gently humorous text, and minimalist charcoal and digital illustrations combine for a delightful winter read.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
(4)
K-3
Adventure Sports series.
In clear, engaging narratives that emphasize the dangers of adventure sports as well as the thrills, these books introduce training and equipment for each sport and discuss the challenges. The layouts can be unfocused, as text in various fonts and sizes vies with many photos, illustrations, fact sidebars, and quick "Thrill Seeker" bios. Still, adventurous kids will be inspired. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Adventure Sports titles: Canoeing and Kayaking, Caving, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Skiing and Snowboarding.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(4)
4-6
Snowboarder Lexi Miller was the "Golden Girl" of elite Mountain Academy until a fall left her sidelined. A year later, she is hoping for an epic comeback, but she's lost her best friend and her competitive edge; a new friend teaches Lexi how much fun snowboarding can be. While the story falls flat at times, it's an easy, light choice for snowed-in winter reading.
Reviewer: Meredith M. Sittman
(3)
YA
Paralympian skier, motivational speaker, and video blogger Sundquist's funny and endearing memoir chronicles his attempt to examine his romantic encounters after he discovers, at age twenty-five, that he's never actually had a girlfriend. The resulting investigation--presented in reportlike format with footnotes, charts, and graphs--covers ten years of would-be relationships cut short by uncertainty, awkwardness, and misunderstanding.
Reviewer: Amy Pattee
(4)
4-6
Hardy Boys Adventures series.
A blizzard strands Frank and Joe at a ski resort that has been struggling for business. Though they just want to relax and stay away from trouble, they can't help investigating a series of suspicious mishaps that are endangering the guests. While the characters remain flat, fans of this modernized series or others in the Hardy Boys franchise won't mind.
Reviewer: Randy Ribay
(4)
4-6
Extreme Winter Sports Zone series.
Each book grabs readers with a pivotal "extreme" moment then goes on to recount the history, technical basics, equipment, competitions, hazards, and styles of the sport; profiles of star athletes wrap things up. Bold, electrifying graphics are fitting for the high-energy subject matter but result in a busy look. Readable texts and action-packed photos provide much interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extreme Winter Sports Zone titles: Ski Slopestyle, Ski Superpipe, Snowboard Cross, Snowboard Superpipe, Snowmobile Snocross, and Snowmobile Best Trick.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(4)
4-6
Extreme Winter Sports Zone series.
Each book grabs readers with a pivotal "extreme" moment then goes on to recount the history, technical basics, equipment, competitions, hazards, and styles of the sport; profiles of star athletes wrap things up. Bold, electrifying graphics are fitting for the high-energy subject matter but result in a busy look. Readable texts and action-packed photos provide much interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extreme Winter Sports Zone titles: Ski Slopestyle, Ski Superpipe, Snowboard Cross, Snowboard Superpipe, Snowmobile Snocross, and Snowmobile Best Trick.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
38 reviews