Boardsailing

Children's Literature

This title is part of the publisher's "Extreme Sports" series, which highlights nontraditional athletic endeavors made relatively famous by the X-Games, an event broadcast by the cable television network, ESPN. Boardsailing combines sailing and surfing, with participants using surfboards equipped with sails to power their way through the water. Although there is some uncertainty about the sailboard's inventor, many believe that S. Newman Darby conceived of the first sailboard, writing about its design in a 1965 magazine article. This book outlines the basics of boardsailing and includes discussion of the sport's history, rules, equipment and safety rules. Its illustrations are clearly a strength, with many remarkable color photographs depicting board sailors in the midst of seemingly harrowing rides. While smartly done, this book and its series companions focus on a very narrow market¾those young readers who are enthusiasts of the X-Games and their sports progeny. 2000, Capstone Press. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson

VOYA

These books are part of the Extreme Sports series designed for reluctant readers reading at a third- or fourth-grade level. Boardsailing, also known as windsurfing or sailboarding, describes wavesailing and its stunts, the history of sailboards, the types of sails used, how to judge wind speed, skills necessary for success, and various competitions. Extreme Mountain Biking provides descriptions of bike races including cross-country, dual slalom, hillclimb, downhill, and endurance; a history of bicycling from 1817; types of bikes and clothing worn while biking; extreme stunts tempered with cautionary advice; and competitions such as the Pan American Games and the Olympics. Although series books have different authors, the writing style is the same: straightforward and informative with basic, brief coverage. Series format is uniform with each slim, small book heavily illustrated with colorful photographs. Many are full-page shots, and a centerfold photo diagram labeling various pieces of equipment appears in the middle of the five short chapters that contain an overview of the sport, history, equipment, safety, skills, and competition. Short sections on words to know, further reading, useful addresses, Internet sites, and a one-page index round out each book. The series format and style conform to high interest/low reading level guidelines with short sentences, paragraphs, and chapters, and clear black print in large type on pages with generous leading and margins. Despite the dry style, if reluctant readers have an interest in extreme sports, this attractive set could get them reading. Each cover features a color photo of a young person engaged in the sport. Other series titlesinclude Bicycle Stunt Riding, Extreme Snowboarding, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Triathlon, and Weight Lifting. Glossary. Index. Photos. Further Reading. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P M J S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2000, Capstone, 48p. PLB $21.26. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Florence H. Munat