From: Tom Hurlburt <tsh>
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 08:52:04 -0600

Brenda_Bowen at prenhall.com wrote: In my experiences as a Children's Librarian and as a sports-minded youth
(quite a number of years ago) I agree with Brenda that children and young adults who are active in sports would rather participate in them than read about them. I also find that they tend to be more interested in reading nonfiction rather than sports fiction. Instructional books, statistics, and sports biographies seem to be more of a draw than series fiction. I developed my reading skills by devouring the back of sports trading cards!

Again in agreement with Brenda, it seems that individual titles where sports play a major role are more popular than series. Spinelli's Maniac Magee, Paulsen's Dogsong, and Lynch's Slot Machine are a few more examples.

Being this is my first post after lurking quietly in this fine forum for over a year, a brief introduction may be in order. I've been a Children's Librarian the last 15+ years including the last 8 at La Crosse Public Library in Wisconsin. I've reviewed books, including many sports titles, for School Library Journal for 14 years. A certified sports junkie, I'm presently torn between my joy over Wisconsin's Rose Bowl win and my grief concerning the Packer's recent demise.
Received on Wed 06 Jan 1999 08:52:04 AM CST