Who Wants to Play Just for Kicks? (Sports Illustrated Kids Victory School Superstars)

Gr 2-4—Young hockey player Josh and his superstar-athlete friends decide to take a break from their respective sports and play soccer just for fun, learning that it's not always necessary to be the best. Simple sentences with basic vocabulary and vibrant, cartoon illustrations make this an easy transition book for reluctant readers. The book has the look of a trading card catalogue, starting with a page about Josh and his stats. It ends with a soccer time line and small photographs of real stars. While the ultimate lesson is a bit heavy-handed, the fast-paced story, action-packed art, theme, and little extras will create a following among younger readers.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA