Skate Girls

School Library Journal

Gr 1–3
Considering the wide variety of topics covered in this easy-to-read series, it is a mystery how all of the subjects specifically relate to females. Soccer Superwomen covers well-known stars like Mia Hamm, but also offers some information and photos on lesser-known standouts, such as Dagny Mellgren from Norway, Sun Wen from China, and Marta of Brazil. Because there are few books on females who skateboard, Skate Girls offers new, yet brief, biographical information on stars in the sport. However, half of the action photos show skaters who are not wearing helmets or any protective equipment. Dolphins feels out of place and is the weakest of the group. Covering facts about habitat, diet, and communication and training, Kelly presents an anthropomorphic view of life in the ocean. The author mixes factual and fictional statements as the dolphin addresses readers about tail-walking by commenting, "Since the scientists never asked me...they're still not completely sure!" Additional remarks such as "ha, ha…that's an old dolphin joke" are cloying. This entire set is marred by unnecessary exclamation points. Suitable suggested Web sites are accessible through the publisher's home page, but the suggested book titles are often way above the intended audience's reading level. Purchase specific titles selectively.
—Blair ChristolonCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.