Derek Jeter.

Gatto, Kimberly.  Derek Jeter.  Enslow    2014  48p  $23.93  ISBN 978-0-7660-4298-0  elem   series: Sports Stars Who Care  Sports biography  VG   

Sports books are always popular, particularly with male readers, even reluctant ones, and this book in particular recognizes Derek Jeter for more than his statistics as a player, which gives it greater classroom applicability.  Not that his statistics are not an important part of the work, since there is an entire page devoted to them, but the focus of the book is on how Jeter earned his fame and how he is using it to give back to the community through the Turn 2 Foundation he established to help kids avoid drugs and alcohol and live all-around healthier lives. As captain of the Yankees, Jeter is considered one of the greatest leaders in the history of professional sports.  This elementary-level profile of the star shortstop will help readers get to know this superstar athlete and celebrity.  The photographs are typical baseball fare, but they coordinate well with the text, which is not only readable, but accessible to fans and non-fans alike.  The book includes a glossary, index, and a list of additional resources for curious readers, as well as the aforementioned statistics page and an address for Jeter.  The only major concern with this book is that it was published too soon to include final statistics from the 2013 season or to make mention of Jeter’s announcement in February 2014 that the 2014 season would be his last.  

The Sports Stars Who Care series so far contains four books geared toward elementary readers.  Each describes a different athlete involved in a different sport who is using his fame to give back to others.

Summary: As captain of the Yankees, Jeter is considered one of the greatest leaders in the history of professional sports.  This elementary-level profile of the star shortstop will help readers get to know this superstar athlete and celebrity.         

Derek Jeter.                                          -- Bethany Geleskie

Nolan Ryan.

Lace, William W.  Nolan Ryan.  Enslow/Speeding Star  2013  64p  $16.21  ISBN 978-1-62285-025-9  elem/ms  series: Hall of Fame Sports Greats  Sports biography  E-BNS

Nolan Ryan played baseball with injuries, with tenacity and with heart, to become one of baseball’s superstars.  His early life, his rise to fame and his record-making games are enumerated in this short biography.

William W. Lace writes nonfiction that is creative, enticing and exciting.  He incorporates statistics with text that makes them interesting to both fans and nonfans of baseball.  Finally, he truly depicts Nolan Ryan in a setting of honor, with impeccable layout, stellar photographs and chapter titles that are as inviting as they are accurately organized.  Nolan Ryan’s rise to fame was like something out of a fairy tale.  His “down home” character kept him “down home.”  He ended his career exactly where he wanted to end it, in Texas.  Winning pitching record after pitching record, he was aptly named to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1999.  His records include the good (strikeouts, no-hitters and oldest pitcher to pitch a no-hitter) and the bad (most walks and most wild pitches).  Americans love baseball and they love Nolan Ryan.  This book portrays the man as he is: first a family man, second a Texan, and third a baseball pitcher, perhaps the best of all time.  The nine chapters of Lace’s book prove it.      Among the players in the Hall of Fame Sports Greats series are Cal Ripken, Junior, Deion Sanders, and Troy Aikman.  The series presents biographical data as well as statistics about each player in enticing layouts with supporting photographs as well.

Summary: Nolan Ryan played baseball with injuries, with tenacity and with heart, to become one of baseball’s superstars.  His early life, his rise to fame and his record-making games are enumerated in this short biography.

Nolan Ryan, Baseball-Biography                        --Martha Squaresky

Troy Aikman.

Macnow, Glen.  Troy Aikman.  Enslow/Speeding Star     2013  64p   $13.45  ISBN 978-1-62285-040-2      elem/ms    series: Hall of Fame Sports Greats  Sports biography  E-BN

Troy Aikman was Mr. Quarterback in the 1990’s, winning three Super Bowl games.  This book traces his rise to power from high school through college to pro football with all the ups and downs that ultimately led this even-keeled quarterback to the Football Hall of Fame.  The text looks at the best moments of his career as well as some of the hurdles he faced. Little is said of his personal life except for his philanthropic efforts, but for football fans, the excitement that rolls off the pages during clutch moments of his career will thrill them, even if they have never seen him play.  His team spirit receives as much attention as his athletic prowess at throwing a football.  For fans of the history of football and those who want to know about the greats of the sport, this book is a first choice.  Colorful photos of his career accompany the book, as well as a chart of statistics.  This book could be used in high schools that need hi/lo books on football players who have gained entrance into the Football Hall of Fame. 

Hall of Fame Sports Greats covers the most thrilling moments of athletes who have made a difference in their sport.  Colorful photos as well as statistical charts provide readers with visual impact, but the writing is what creates the excitement. Gr. 3-8    

Summary: Chronicles the best moments of Troy Aikman’s career from high school through his career with the Dallas Cowboys and entrance into the Hall of Fame. Colorful photos accompany the quick-reading text. Grades 4-8.  

Troy Aikman, Football-Biography                             --Lois McNicol

Deion Sanders.

Macnow, Glen.  Deion Sanders.  Enslow/Speeding Star  2013     64p $14.95  ISBN 978-1-62285-045-7     elem/ms    series: Hall of Fame Sports Greats  Sports biography  VG-BN  

Most young sports fans will probably recognize Deion Sanders as a football analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame member (Class of 2011) since his professional athletic career ended in 2001.  Sanders possessed the rare athletic ability to excel for over a decade in two major professional sports, football and baseball.  There are numerous photographs that illustrate various points of his career and the many teams he played for.  Most of the focus of the book is on Sanders’ football career, since that was his stronger sport.  While career statistical information for his football career is included in a chart, his baseball statistics are missing.  Sanders’ charity work is briefly mentioned toward the end of the book and could have been given more than a paragraph.  An index, contact information and web references are included.     

This series features athletes that have made their respective Halls of Fame, which will serve two purposes -- interest the sports fans and prevent dating of the material once the career is over.  It is appropriate for older hi/lo readers.    

Summary: Deion “Prime Time” Sanders made a name for himself as a flashy, productive two-sport star (baseball and football).

Deion Sanders, Sports biography                       --Stephanie Pennucci

Dwight Howard.

Torres, John Albert.  Dwight Howard.  Enslow    2014  48p   $17.95  ISBN 978-0-7660-4294-0  elem/ms  series: Sports Stars Who Care  Sports biography  VG-BN  

Dwight Howard is as devoted to his off-court charity work as he is to his on-court game.  One of the current dominant big men in the NBA, Howard was raised by his parents to live clean, work hard and show compassion for others.  The book traces his rise to NBA success from being the number one draft pick out of high school in 2004 through his time with the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.  His basketball experiences are intertwined with the many charities he has been involved with in communities where he has lived as well as his international Dwight Howard Fund to help at-risk children.  The value of this book is that it gives equal measure to the athlete’s actions on and off the court, demonstrating the impact that one can have with the financial and social ability to help others.  The book includes color photographs on almost every page, showing Howard in both the basketball and charity worlds.  Career statistics through the 2012-13 season, an address to write Howard, a glossary, an index and lists for further reading (books and web sites) are included.

The Sports Stars Who Care series highlights role model athletes who work hard and participate in charity work in their respective communities.  This easy-to-read series filled with pictures is a top selection for reluctant readers. 

Summary: The career and charity work of basketball player Dwight Howard are profiled. Grades 4-7.    

Basketball biography, Charity work                    --Stephanie Pennucci