Careers for Women Who Love Sports (Get in the Game! With Robin Roberts) - Softcover

Gr. 4-6. Roberts, a sports broadcaster at ESPN, is the "host" of the Get in the Game series directed at young female sports fans. As the subtitle suggests, Basketball Year follows the women of the WNBA as they go to training camp, travel, play the game, and try to keep some semblance of a normal life. Along with capturing the excitement of the game, the book chronicles the hard work, tedium, and loneliness of life as a ball player and provides many interesting tidbits. Careers is an excellent resource for girls who want to find a job in sports. Eight women discuss their jobs: coach, official, journalist, athletic trainer, agent, marketing specialist, nutritionist, and sportscaster. They not only give readers an overview of the careers available but also may serve as role models for girls who would like to follow in their footsteps. Two-color graphics brighten the text, but are often distracting, while the color photos are long on interest but small in size. This series, ghostwritten by Bill Gutman, will find a large audience, especially with girls who want to explore their love of sports. Ilene Cooper
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Grade 5-8-Basketball Year looks at the WNBA and how far female players have come in a short time. Roberts talks about life on the road and how these athletes balance career, travel, and family and the struggles they have that are unique to their gender. She also celebrates the accomplishments of these pioneering women and what they have sacrificed to gain recognition. Careers highlights jobs such as coach, broadcaster, journalist, nutritionist, trainer, marketing specialist, and official. Women who hold these positions describe what they do and discuss the challenges and rewards of their professions. One of the top sports journalists in America, Roberts gives young women an opportunity to see that their love of sports and competition doesn't have to end with high school or college. Full-color photos appear throughout both books.
Harolyn Legg, Liberty-Benton High School, Findlay, OH
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