Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton

Children's Literature - Carrie Hane Hung

These sled races go at incredible speeds, so fast that that they are timed down to the hundredth or even the thousandth of a second. Read and find out just how quick they are and who some of the champions are. Numerous facts and figures are presented in this informational text about the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton races which are some of the winter sporting events in the Olympics. The information is separated by subheadings under each chapter heading. There are several color photographs with captions. Words in the glossary are found in bold type in the main text. A key to the country abbreviations used in the book is on the last page of the book. Guidance for readers may be needed to understand the style and format of this type of presentation of reference. Students looking for specific information may find the index to be helpful, and for those students who are looking for further information about these sleds, there is the list of additional resources including websites. This book is one of eight in the "Winter Olympic Sports" series which is not authorized as part of the official Olympics. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5–This series has potential interest for use around the 2010 Winter Olympics, but it disappoints. The authors dryly recite facts as though writing for an almanac even though they are covering topics that could have inspired exciting narratives. Most of the color photographs are run of the mill and are shot at a mid-range distance, meaning that the skiers all look the same. Some fact boxes, such as the one about women hockey players, are on the wrong page. Other missed opportunities abound. For example, the two brief sentences in Paralympic Sports about how visually impaired biathletes shoot at targets that make electronic sounds will leave readers wanting more. Similar information is readily available elsewhere.