These four additions to the My First Sports series provide quick introductions to athletic pastimes. The series format features generously sized photos, each accompanied by a few sentences of large-print text, and all highlighted with plenty of colors in the photos, backgrounds, and borders. Each book touches on a sport's history and equipment or dress. In Cheerleading, Green introduces the activity's purpose, stunts, routines, and competitions. Each book concludes with a glossary, a brief bibliography, and directions for accessing the publisher's "factsurfer" website. Although the reading level is more challenging than one might expect from a reader series (even one designated by the publisher as "Level 4: early fluent/fluent"), the books' topics, colorful design elements, and action photos will appeal to many children.

GREEN, Sara . Cheerleading . ISBN 978-1-60014-568-1 . LC 2010035268. SCHUETZ, Kari . Karate . ISBN 978-1-60014-570-4 . LC 2010035458. ZOBEL, Derek . Fishing . ISBN 978-1-60014-569-8 . LC 2010035269. ea vol: 24p. (Blastoff! Readers: My First Sports Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. 2011. PLB $15.95. Bellwether Media . Gr 2-4 These authors explain each sport briefly and define vocabulary words within context. The text font becomes smaller in the "fun fact" boxes than that used in the basic narratives. Dramatic photos show both boys and girls enjoying the sports. However, participants pictured in Cheerleading and Wrestling are considerably older than the audience for the books. Some information is provided in charts, which may be new to the younger readers in the grade range. Also, back matter delineates three steps for using a recommended website, another basic aid for readers on this level. Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA