Reviews (2)

Inspiring role model
I love this book! It's a great story of how sports can shape your life in a positive way. Swimmers and non-swimmers alike will be inspired by Jenny's story. This great book is now available as an e-book for those of you who can't find a copy of the original printing. You can order here from amazon.com, the isbn is B0001GDOUQ.

How Jenny dealt with the negative peer pressure
Fast Lane To Victory is the third in Wish Publishing's outstanding "Anything You Can Do...New Sports Heroes For Girls" series and the story of swim champion Jenny Thompson. Swimming was what Jenny like best, but when her friends at school started to tease her and call her "tomboy" and "Too Tall Thompson", she felt the pressures placed on a lot of young girls to conform to social norms of what was "proper" for girls. Jenny dealt with the negative peer pressure and became so successful as an athlete that she came to be called the "Fastest Swimmer in the World". Also very highly recommended for school and community library collections are the first two volumes in this superbly presented and inspiring sports oriented series for girls: A Drive To Win: The Story Of Nancy Lieberman (40-8, ...) and Sword Of A Champion: The Story Of Sharon Monplaisir (39-4, ...). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Girls & Women    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    9. Sports - General    10. Swimmers    11. Swimming    12. Thompson, Jenny,    13. United States    14. Women swimmers    15. Juvenile Biography    16. Sports   

Reviews (1)

a russian skater's life
this book is aimed at young readers, and it tells the story of Ekaterina Gordeeva and her late husband Sergei Grinkov's first meeting, first success as a pairs team, Olympic glory and to her life now without Sergei.Aninteresting topic and well worth reading as Gordeeva is talented and strongminded young women that young people can admire. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Figure skaters    6. Gordeeva, Ekaterina    7. Ice dancing    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Russia (Federation)    11. Skaters    12. Sports & Recreation - Winter Sports    13. Women figure skaters    14. Biography: general    15. Grinkov, Sergei   

Reviews (2)

Learn the watered down basics from a reluctant fan
First, a disclaimer: I may have liked this book more if I had read it before "Get your own damn beer, I'm watching the game" by Holly Robinson Peete. The latter is the far superior of the two books.
Incredibly useful and full of trivia
I can't recommend this book enough. Much like the Girlfriend's guide to pregnancy, this book is written with a good deal of humor but is packed full of useful information. Spencer explains what each position is and what they do in an easy to understand manner. She explains scoring quickly and efficiently. Spencer answers all those questions that we've always wanted to ask "Like why is that guy touching the other guys [...]?" and gives great tidbits of trivia such as did you know that Teddy Roosevelt tried to outlaw the game in the early 1900's when no less than 18 players died in one year? A great book to have if you want to know the basics and a little more to impress the guys. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Football - General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Football    5. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Lacrosse    5. Lacrosse for girls    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation - General    8. Sports & Recreation - Racket Sports    9. Racket games    10. Sports coaching   

Reviews (10)

Excellent Fun Read
I highly recommend this book to any horse or sports enthusiast.It was hard to put down.I loved it!

What will Francie's ride be like?
The Perfect Distance is not your average girl-loves-horses book. In fact, horses are really secondary here in this story of a girl growing up and finding herself. Francie has been around horses pretty much her entire life. Her father, who is Mexican, works as a stable manager for West Hills...which happens to be run by one of the best equestrian trainers in the business.
This book was good but not GREAT
I really liked this book but some parts were a bit confusing. Also i woulnt read it unless your 12 or maybe 13. It wasnt as good as i thought it would be. One thing was that it was very realistic unlike many, many other horse books. If u dont ride and show horses then i woulnt read it because i think you would be confused. i would recomend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Horses    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Conduct of life    5. Fiction    6. Girls & Women    7. Horsemanship    8. Horses    9. Interpersonal relations    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    12. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Miscellaneous   

Reviews (3)

winner of the "Outstanding Informational Book for Teens" from the Children's Literature Council of Southern California
A much deserved winner of the "Outstanding Informational Book for Teens" from the Children's Literature Council of Southern California, this is a book I highly recommend.
Buy it for all the girls in your life!
This is a MUST BUY for all the females in your life, especially those that love the ocean.A fun read with lots of ingenuity--found it to be so charming, cute, fresh, inspiring, and informative.Just the kind of book you want your girls to read--trust me, they'll love it--makes great gifts too.Not only young girls will enjoy reading it--adults will too, believe me!

Loved Sanoe in Blue Crush, Loved this book.
Incredible, beautiful book! Sanoe proves that she's not just a great surfer and actress, she knows how to put a book together.I have been surfing for 3 years and I wish Sanoe had put his out when I started. I heard about the book on a KROQ radio ad in L.A. announcing her booksigning, but I couldn't make it, so I went to the store to check it out. I found 4 other girl's surfing guides! - they must have all just come out because I've never seen them. I sat down and plowed through all of them, and I'll keep this short and try and save people time and money if they are just going to buy one of these books, here is why Sanoe's is much better (but you'll see for yourself if you compare): 1. It's extremely well written, funny, and it's entertaining -- there's a continuous flow of interesting material, along with comics, photos, charts, and sweet graphics. My friends who don't surf checked it out and now they are starting to get the vibe of why the sport is so great. That's how this book is so great - it communicates the vibe of surfing. Bottom line: Sanoe's book is better written.2. Sanoe's "How To" part -about a third of the book - is very easy to follow, she takes the reader through it step by step, with tons of tight illustrations. I swear to God one of the other girl's guides has stick-figure drawings. Gimme a break2. Sanoe's book is in color - the other books are black and white or have just one color. Color crushes black and white. 3. Best I can tell, Sanoe is the only professional surfer of all the authors. As such, you bet your butt she knows what she is talking about when it comes to surfing.4. Sanoe has also been a model, so her fashion sections are great- she gives hints on all kinds of surfwear and beauty hints also. 5. The book is just really well-organized - going through the history of surfing, the herstory, the fashion, the dangers and how to proceed safely, sun and skin safety,all really interesting and helpful - I seriously could have avoided a few painful moments had I read through this before I learned. 6. Sanoe goes into the empowering aspects for girls and women - this is great material... i was thinking some of this when I was learning. You really do build your courage, discpline and confidence when you learn to surf. You basically have to as you get better. 7. Overall, Sanoe's tone is light and fun, and she has a huge glossary of all the surf terms... in case you want to get into the lingo of the sport. Seriously, a color book at his price...you absolutely will be thrilled with your value here. I bought 6 for gifts -- taking out a nice chunk of my xmas shopping. I would say that you definitely don't even need to be a future surfer to enjoy this book. The book is so full of interesting things about the ocean and it's so motivating in general.When are her new movies coming out? Cheers and aloha. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Juvenile literature    5. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    6. Surfing    7. Surfing for women    8. Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Miscellaneous   

Reviews (2)

A Great Book
A Whole New Ballgame by Sue Macy was a great book.It told what some of the women did during World War 2 to help out in their communities.Some women played baseball.Baseball helped raise the spirits of the town.The women made some fabulous plays and were just as good as the men who were now overseas.They were great players and I'm sorry that the league wasn't able to hold on.I definitely recommend this book to girls who like baseball or softball.

Play Ball!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from an adult's perspective. I enjoy baseball a lot, especially when it comes to women playing ball. If you're interested in learning about the AAPGBL and enjoying a trip back in time then Sue Macy's book is a good read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. All-American Girls Professiona    3. Baseball    4. Baseball for women    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    7. General    8. History    9. Juvenile literature    10. United States    11. Women baseball players    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Sports & Recreation / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Girls & Women    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Sports & Recreation - General    6. Sports (Young Adult)   

Reviews (5)

mixed feelings
I have mixed feelings about this book. As has been stated, the illustrations are really bright and colorful.And obviously, the women featured are amazing people.But...it does have a very simplistic (even for a kids book) heavy-handed way about it.And somehow it bugs me that the primary author is a man.No women authors available to do the job?The underlying message, though, that with determination you can do it, is a useful one for little girls.

A good read!
Girls Can! By Rick Kupchella is a celebration of girls and what they can accomplish when they believe in themselves. Kupchella writes his story with the cooperation of Sandra Day O'Connor (the first female Supreme Court associate justice), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Olympic gold medal winner) and Sally Ride (the first American woman astronaut in space).
A little sexism for your sweetie
Despite getting higher grades in school and making up 52% of college graduates, girls apparently need a little extra patronizing and mixed messages about their ability to succeed.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. Girls & Women    5. Individuality    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Occupations    8. Self-realization    9. Sex role    10. Sports & Recreation - Gymnastics   

Reviews (21)

Great Wrestling Book
My review on this book is a pretty good review. This book wouldn't exactly be my first choice, but it was a good book. If you were into wrestling I would highly recomend this book. It has a lot of wrestling moves and some terms listed. There are some funny parts as well. I would not recomend this book to children under 5th grade and would strongly suggest that you would at least be 10 or 11. This is a good book and I highly suggest it.

wow!!!
i just started reading this book for my Battle Of The Books n i think that is awesome!!!everyone should read this book!!!

Brittany's Book Review on There's a Girl in my Hammerlock!
Maisie trys out for the wrestling team and makes it, but no matter how hard she tries she always gets into trouble by her coach. Being the only girl on the the team isn't easy either. No one wants to wrestle with her. But then she meets a friend on the wrestling team his name is George Bamberger, when the team would do warm-ups they were always partners. All through the summer Maisie has has a crush an a guy named Eric Delong, who also happened to be on the wrestling team. Meanwhile, the matches had started . When the other teams realized that their 105 pounder would be wrestling a girl they would forfiet. She went through matches undefeated by forfiets. which was great in a way but on the other hand she was very upset because no one supported her for wrestling because she was a girl,but then finally there was a team that their wrestler wasn't afraid to wrestle her. Even though she lost she was still very happy that she actually got to wrestle. I loved the book it was very awesome Spinelli is a very skilled writer and his book was great. My family is a very big wrestling family so when I saw this book I thought WOW!! i have to read it. It was a very great book and everyone should read it!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Schools    6. Sex role    7. Social Issues - Adolescence    8. Social Situations - Adolescence    9. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    10. Wrestling    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Reviews (1)

This book is swift and fun!
Heaven by a twist of fate escapes a house fire in this latest edition of this electric series. With a reluctant goodbye to Hiro she's off to the dazzle of Las Vegas where she seeks an old friend. In Las Vegas one can be blown wayward on their path and Heaven says Hello to an old friend-Katie and a new bubbly friend-Mr. Alcohol which she had a wild, reckless and ultimately humiliating relationship with in Book 3 The book of the Pearl (remember the jelly fish scene?). The alcohol misuse aside this is a fun, fast paced book. We see a new side of Teddy which makes him a more multi dimensional character and something very sweet and wonderful happens at the end (quess cuz I'm not going to tell!:) Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Graphic Novels    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Comics & Graphic Novels - General    5. Fiction    6. Girls & Women    7. Japan    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Las Vegas (Nev.)    10. Samurai    11. Sports & Recreation - Martial Arts    12. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Subjects:  1. Basketball    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Comics & Graphic Novels - Manga    4. Fantasy    5. Fiction    6. Graphic Novels - Manga    7. Graphic Novels-Manga    8. High school students    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Sex role    12. Sports & Recreation - Basketball   

Reviews (4)

Great Beginnings
This work is a wonderful introduction to techniques of self defence. Examples are concise and easy to understand. The situations and techniques illustrated paint a comprehensive picture of the author's commitment to defensive strategies, while avoiding aggression and offensive tactics.

Great Book!
All i can say is that this book was a pleasure to read, and that it has inspired me more than i could ever imaagine!thank you very much Mr.Konzak

Preparation is your best defence!
Girl Power is an empowering book for young teens. With an emphasis on prevention and avoidance, the author captures the essence of self-defence. But the book also serves as an effective guide and introduction to simpleself-defence techniques and maneuvers that are easily practiced andlearned. This book will help young girls develop self-confidence and willhelp them take control of their own lives. Preparation and know-how arealways your best defence! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense    5. Instruction and study    6. Self-defense    7. Self-defense for women    8. Teenage girls    9. Teenagers   

Subjects:  1. 1940-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    4. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    5. Careers    6. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    7. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    8. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Rudolph, Wilma,    12. Runners (Sports)    13. Sports & Recreation - Track & Field    14. Track and field athletes    15. United States    16. Vocational Guidance (Young Adult)    17. Women runners    18. Sports & outdoor recreation    19. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (6)

Fantastic!!!!
This book is the best. It felt so down-to-earth. You feel like you know he williams sisters. I truly disagree with the person who talked about this book being about Jehovah's Witness. They don't encourage reades in any way to become a Jehovahs Witness. This is such a good book, I don't see how anyone could bad-mouth it. I had the good fortune to meet Venus, and I'm not lying i swear, and she is so nice and friendly. She gives off such a good vibe. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!! BUY IT PLEASE!!!!!!!

No Shunning Allowed
Hilary Beard is a Philadelphia journalist who you can trust implicitly, she has a great even voice.Her previous book was the life story of enterpreneur Lisa Price, the woman who came back from financial ruin to found CAROL'S DAUGHTER the great herbal essence success story.Lisa got to meet many celebrities, in fact she knew them before they got big, and her cosmetic prescriptions, learned from her mother and Trinidadian family, helped Erykah Badu and Jada Pinkett among others,
Great book for teens and fans of Venus and Serena!
After seeing Venus and Serena on the Oprah show, I decided to get this book and I'm glad I did.The book talks about many of their on-court experiences so if you're a fan of Venus and Serena and have followed their careers since the mid 90's, you'll find out fascinating tidbits about their reactions to incidents on the WTA Tour.I also bought a copy for a friend's 11 yr. old daughter so as you can see this book is a great conversation-starter for parents and their daughters.All-around, well done. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1980-    2. 1981-    3. African American women tennis players    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    6. Biography & Autobiography - People of Color    7. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    8. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    9. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    10. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    13. Social Problems (General) (Young Adult)    14. Sports & Recreation - General    15. Tennis players    16. United States    17. Williams, Serena,    18. Williams, Venus,    19. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Reviews (6)

Amazing Book
Grace "Ace" Kincaid is a worldwide tennis sensation-- and a national teen icon.But the pressure gets to be too much for Grace, who decides that she needs to quietly slip out of the limelight.And where better to do that than Medicine Hat, Alaska, population 813 (after she moves in, that is)?With her nose ring and alias "Emily O'Brien," no one in Medicine Hat recognizes her, and Grace is finally allowed to lead the life of a normal teenage girl, despite the fact that she's living with a retired FBI agent instead of her mother.And in spite of the freezing cold showers, cabin, and outhouse, Grace is having more fun than she's ever had.She finally goes to "real" school, has friends who she knows like her for her and not her status, goes to parties, has a crush on a very cute boy, and is even going to see a therapist in town, who is suprisingly helpful.This "make-under" story will, as the dust jacket promises, "grab you from the very first paragraph," and not let go until you've finally read the (very satisfying) end.

Truly Amazing
Amazing Grace is an absolutely sweet story about a tennis pro who takes a much-needed break from it all. It has so much heart and it made me smile. Readers can't help but root for Grace to find her way.
Amazing Grace
My friend was reading this and just by looking at the cover I, for some reason, was immediately interesting.I asked her if I could look at it and I read the first chapter then couldn't put it down! After she was done with the book she let me borrow it and I read it all in a matter of 2-3 days.I was so into it!It keeps you hooked.I reccomend it for ages 10+.I'm a really big reader and I'll read anything.But, I usually I have only a few favorites and Amazing Grace is definitely one of them! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Girls & Women    7. Identity    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Social Issues - Adolescence    10. Sports & Recreation - General    11. Tennis players    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

Luna Bay #6: Heart Breakers
This book is absolutely awesome! I recommend it for any age girls! I totally rocks! 5/5! Francess Lantz, please keep writing these type of books! They rock! Go Luna Bay!

Great!
This book is definitely one of the best Francess Lantz has written so far. I would recommend anyone to read this great book. So, READ IT, READ IT, and again, READ IT! Its awesome, believe me! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Dating (Social customs)    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Movie Tie - In    7. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    8. Surfing    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

Pioneering Women
One of Anne LaBastille's first books takes the stories of fifteen women who stepped aside from the everyday suburbia to live a unique life and learn about nature in their own manner.The varieties of careers are as varied as the personalities of the women themselves.From river guides and biologists to ecologists and log home builders, the author lives with these women in their environment and describes their loves, fears and accomplishments.It is a tale for both men and women.Although it may seemed slightly dated now, when women are doing anything with no raised eyebrows, it takes on a special meaning when read with the reminder that this was the sixties and seventies.Ms. LaBastille did try to write a follow-up with each of these women, but only half were able to be located.Another sign of the fierce but gentle individuality of these modern pioneering women.
A Good Book
I have purchased numerous (10+) copies of this book and given it to students (both male & female) majoring in forest resources management.I want them to have both career and adventure and this book presentsnumerous examples of both.Thanks Anne. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Hiking    4. History    5. Natural Resources    6. Outdoor recreation for women    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States    9. Women naturalists    10. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (3)

BABE The Babe
Written on a sophomoric level, this brief biography of Babe centers on the highlights of her life but ignores Babe's life-long emotional roller-coaster. After reading this book, you may think Babe enjoyed her life as an outcast and her distinctive masculine character was merely a promotion gimmick; that her `tomboy' nature disappeared when her sexual identity was questioned. It completely ignores the many questions about her sexual ambiguity and promotes her marriage to George Zaharias as the real thing. If it was a `for real' marriage, why did George promote constant `out-of-town' excursions, rarely joining her, seemingly content to be separated for long time periods? This book is like a biography written about pre-AIDS Rock Hudson or Liberace. It does not examine the real Babe .... a gifted athletic ahead of her time who tried to fit in. Sports probably kept her sane. This book does not tell you who the Babe is or what she was up to; only what she achieved.

Fun, readable & informative for young and old alike
I loved reading about this gregarious and complicated athlete.This is a biography intended for young adults, but everyone will like it.Cayleff's original adult biography says she spent ten years researching Babe's life, interviewing surviving family and friends, etc., so her story is the real thing.It's also an important story, since she was the only female mentioned in the top 10 of "the greatest 20th century athletes" lists by ESPN, etc. Yes, the greatest athlete...
Susan Cayleff, presents the factual information in a clear and comprehensive manner. It is unfortunate that the life of Babe, reads like asophmoric book report. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1911-1956    2. Athletes    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. United States    10. Women athletes    11. Zaharias, Babe Didrikson,    12. Biography: sport   

Reviews (3)

Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The making of a champion, by Russell Freedman.This book was great.It doesn't just tell about her adult life; it also talks about how she got started, like when she was young.She was always the tomboy type until she was in her twenties.As she got older, she had to be the center of all the attention.To tell you the truth, she was always full of herself, which wasn't always a good thing.Babe participated in almost every sport that a woman could do.She was good at every one of them, too.She turned professional in track and field, basketball, and golf. I recommend this book to any girl who loves to compete in sports. I really didn't have a role model until I read this book!

Interesting and Compelling
This book is an interesting, yet honest look at the life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias.There are parts of the book that are necessarily a bit dry, e.g., the explanation of how and why she tried to regain her amateur statusafter playing as a professional.Most of the book, however, does anexcellent job of getting the reader to feel her seemingly boundless energyand determination.It also does a good job of portraying the limitationsof the era on female athletes.It doesn't make them into tragedies, but itdoes point out that they were more "hurdles" that Babe had toovercome. A 5 star book: suspenseful and exciting!
When asked if there was something she didn't play, Babe replied smiling: "dolls!" This intriguing book by Russell Freedman lets you in on the tragic and wonderful secrets in Babe Didrikson Zaharias's life.Fromhurdling her neighbor's bushes to winning world-wide golf tournaments,Babe's extraordinary life captures all young readers!How good can Babeget?This wonderful story tells it all with excitement and suspense. Enjoy your reading! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1911-1956    2. Athletes    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    5. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    6. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    7. Children: Grades 3-4    8. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    9. Girls & Women    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. United States    13. Women athletes    14. Zaharias, Babe Didrikson,    15. Biography: sport    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Sports & Recreation    17. Track & field sports, athletics    18. Zaharias, Babe Didrikson