11/01/2014
Gr 4–6—Fans and casual browsers alike will glean something from these books, which offer a variety of facts. Along with standard overviews of history, coaches, and players, these books cover the stadiums, uniforms and helmets, and mascots. Parts of the text read like promotional material, as when Chicago Bears notes that its many Hall of Fame players "forged the team's reputation through blood, sweat, and sacrifice." Each book offers excellent graphics, a glossary, and trivia quiz, and at the end of each, young readers are encouraged to write a biography of their favorite player using a concept web. Unfortunately, the quality of writing is uneven. Green Bay Packers erroneously states that in the famous 1967 Playoff Game, or "ice bowl" played in sub-zero temperatures at Lambeau Field, the Packers defeated the New York Giants, when in fact their opponents were the Dallas Cowboys. Overal, the series doesn't stand out from others on the topic. The books will be best appreciated by local fans; purchase as needed.
