Marion Jones

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-This very brief biography of track star Jones emphasizes her 2000 Olympic triumphs. Having chosen not to participate in the 1992 Olympics as alternate on a relay team and having an injury that kept her out of the 1996 Olympic trials made the 2000 Games her chance to shine at last. The book's organization may cause some confusion for younger readers as it switches back and forth between the present and past several times. The color photos are great but all of them are of her in action; none reflect her younger years or show her family. At 17, Bryant was the youngest professional basketball player to join the National Basketball Association. McHugh covers the first four years of the athlete's career, culminating with the Los Angeles Lakers' championship in the 2001-2000 season. The language is simple-exceedingly simple. "He made lots of baskets." "Kobe Bryant gets lots of rebounds." Good points include mentioning his charitable works and the appreciation he has for his family and coach for helping him achieve his success. Mark Stewart's Kobe Bryant: Hard to the Hoop (Millbrook, 2000) is a better choice.-Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.