Game Day: Meet the People Who Make It Happen

Sal's Fiction Addiction (blog)

In writing this book, [Kevin Sylvester] interviewed twenty people whose jobs take place behind the scenes and contribute enormously to our enjoyment of the sports we love. Were it not for them, we might not be so familiar with the athletes we admire. Each chapter gives us a glimpse at the life led by someone we are not likely to meet or know in any other circumstance. They are the unsung heroes. They are the groundskeepers, the camera operators, the mascots, and the reporters. They are agents to the players. They schedule games for leagues and timekeep official games. They choreograph skating programs that leave us in awe. They provide music, keep the ice clean, referee, train horses and keep athletes strong and healthy... It is a varied group whose jobs are as different as they are. But, their continued commitment to the sport they represent sets them apart from others. In the final entry, Kevin Sylvester talks about the fan. If you are a fan of a sport and you dream big, you might find your future in the stories represented here.

ForeWord Reviews

...(A)n interesting and fun read. Intended for kids, it's actually enjoyable for everyone.
— Penny Hastings

Booklist

The choices of occupation are diverse and quirky enough to intrigue career-minded teens or preteens.

CM Magazine

An excellent introduction to just some of those who facilitate the staging of...sports events.... Highly Recommended.

January Magazine

Jam-packed with great information, photos and other interesting visuals, Game Day will give young sports fans something to think about.

Lake Country Journal

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables are important for a healthy lifestyle. The Complete Root Cellar Book takes a fresh look at the art and science of building and stocking your own root cellar and eating healthy all year round. Root cellars help us make the most of our food budgets by allowing us to stock up on fresh produce at low prices during seasonal harvests. The seemingly simple act of visiting your cellar, examining your stores and carrying something delicious up to the kitchen affords simple satisfactions that can t be sealed in cellophane. Most people think of root cellars in a home basement or hole in the ground but this book provides detailed and illustrated construction guides for making five different and attractive root cellar options including never before seen strategies for apartments.

wordofmousebooks.com

This book is a well-packaged, well-written compilation highlighting some of the dedicated people with a real love and passion for the game, much like award-winning author Kevin Sylvester.

ForeWord Reviews - Penny Hastings

Game Day: Meet the People Who Make It Happen is an interesting and fun read. Intended for kids, it's actually enjoyable for everyone.

Canadian Children's Book News - Mary Anne Cree

Sylvester creates a well-crafted dialogue of sorts and is skilled at choosing interesting and informative quotes.

VOYA - Matthew Weaver

Even the most avid sports enthusiasts will likely find something new in this nifty collection devoted to the unsung heroes behind the game. Sylvester interviews key players throughout the industry, from sports agents to cheerleaders to horse trainers. The book is infectious right from the very first chapter, in which the Baltimore Orioles' head groundskeeper, Nicole Sherry, marvels on the game-changing nature of grass. Sylvester clearly found a number of people who genuinely love their jobs, and the enthusiasm is contagious. Doping control officer Scott Lowell shrugs off having to watch athletes collect urine samples; he considers himself part of the team. Organist Bobby Freeman survived childhood bullies to play music for the Phoenix Diamondbacks. These individuals are so much fun on their own, it is practically icing when we reach the chapter on Ted Giannoulas, better known as the Famous San Diego Chicken mascot. Some stories are powerful enough to inspire the next generation of Zamboni drivers, physiotherapists and racecar mechanics. A particular spotlight should go to tenor Ronan Tynan, who had both of his legs amputated after a motorcycle accident and went on to have a successful medical practice before pursuing a career in music. But there's enough here to make any undecided individual start thinking about potential past-times, whether they're dreaming of athletic superstardom or not. This is a book that believes the people off the field are just as much superstars as those playing on it. Reviewer: Matthew Weaver

School Library Journal

Gr 5–9—Popular athletes enjoy a great deal of attention, but there are many important individuals who operate behind the scenes. Sylvester introduces 20 lesser-known people who have made a career in sports. From tennis chair umpire to horse trainer to race-car mechanic to figure-skating choreographer, readers meet a variety of workers who keep the sports machine running. The result is a mixed bag. The opening chapter on the head groundskeeper at Oriole Park falls flat, which may nip readership in the bud. Readers who persevere, though, will meet some truly resourceful and engaging people: a Paralympic Games champion turned tenor who sings for the New York Yankees; a scout for the Chicago White Sox who will only recommend players who have learned to fail gracefully; and a Zamboni driver who is committed to the art of good ice. While Careers in Focus: Sports (Ferguson, 2008) goes into more detail about the various fields and recommends specific studies to help prepare for career choices, Sylvester imparts some solid tidbits of advice in his chatty, conversational narrative. The suggestions from many of the people he interviewed—perseverance, respect, hard work—are presented in a way that will engage adolescents considering careers in these areas. Photographs, sidebars, and quotes from the profiled individuals help break up the text. It is a shame that Sylvester's selections are not more diverse: women figure in only five of the profiles (one of them being the head Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader), and cap designer Albizu Rondon is the only nonwhite male featured. While the intent of this book is admirable, its execution falls a bit short.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA