Soccer: The Ultimate Guide to the Beautiful Game

From School Library Journal Grade 5-8 An all-encompassing book that covers the history of the sport; basic rules, skills, and tactics; information on stadiums, soccer media, and "A Pro's Life"; as well as biographies of important players. Few women are mentioned. Small blocks of text are interspersed with a variety of digitally created illustrations that often lend a slightly eerie and surrealistic look to the figures. Color photos enhance the text. The left-hand margin of each page contains see-also topics and page numbers that will allow readers quick access to related information. The final sections include summaries of great competitions and games, one-paragraph biographies, statistics, and a one-page glossary. Web-site selections cover a wide variety of topics from the author's own Web site to "Ask the Ref" and women's soccer. Libraries that own Gary Lineker's Soccer and Hugh Hornby's Soccer (both DK, 2000) probably won't need Gifford's title. However, it will be a solid addition to those in constant need of books on the sport. -Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From