Best Children's Nonfiction Sports Books
In this captivating and lavishly illustrated young adult edition of her award-winning #1 New York Times bestseller, Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of a former Olympian's courage, cunning, and fortitude following his plane crash in enemy territory. On a May afternoon in 1943, an American military plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a sinking raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Featuring more than one hundred photographs plus an exclusive interview with Zamperini, this breathtaking odyssey—also captured on film by director Angelina Jolie—is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to endure against the unlikeliest of odds. Gr 9 Up—Adapted from the best-selling adult book of the same name, this riveting account tells the story of Louis Zamperini, a thief turned track star, Olympian, airman, castaway, and prisoner of war. Though this is a strong, well-written work, the adult version is accessible and engaging; students are better off sticking with the original.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL “This adaptation of Hillenbrand’s adult best-seller is highly dramatic and exciting, as well as painful to read as it lays bare man’s hellish inhumanity to man.”-- Booklist , STARRED. "This captivating book emphasizes the importance of determination, the will to survive against impossible odds, and support from family and friends.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The changes were immediately apparent: On the first page, the previous version read: Somewhere on the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Army Air Forces bombardier and Olympic runner Louie Zamperini lay across a small raft, drifting westward. The new version read: Somewhere on the Pacific Ocean, American military airman and Olympic runner Louie Zamperini lay on a small raft, drifting. In a nutshell, Hillenbrand deleted "the endless expanse of," and simplified Zamperini's title from "Army Air Forces bombardier," to "American military airman." He is easily the bravest, most remarkable person I've ever read about, and a fine example of what we hope our young people will choose to emulate."
"I would recommend this book specifically to younger audiences because if you are an adult you should read the more complex version as it is more deep."
"Read at school, good for young adults."
"He was one of the most remarkable men I have ever read about. The recounting of their time in the raft, that they survived is due to the courage of the men, especially Louie."
"Good book, my son (12) loves WWII stories."
"Here is a hero who changed his life from a boy always getting into trouble to a high school athlete, Olympic athlete, and outstanding member of WWII armed forces."
"It shares such am amazing story with so many things to learn and to apply to our own lives."
"Got this book for my 11 year old."
Matt Napier's "breakaway" rhymes and "hard-checking" expository text team up with the "top-shelf" illustrations of Melanie Rose to elucidate this increasingly popular game for every beginning hockey aficionado. Kindergarten-Grade 4-From "A is for Arena./The game is played in here,/a building where the fans all gather/to clap and boo and cheer" to "-Zamboni for Z-/a machine that cleans the ice,/ensuring for tomorrow's game/a surface smooth and nice," this volume introduces various aspects of the sport and some highlights from its history. L. R. Little, Penticton Public Library, British Columbia, Canada Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. "This volume introduces various aspects of the sport and some highlights from its history...
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's a board book, so nothing too big to report on that part, but whoever illustrated and wrote this book, was creative and spot on!"
"He loves hockey and learning to read."
"My three year old grandson is learning to skate and play hockey."
"Adorable book for any hockey lover."
"Given as a shower gift for a couple of hockey lovers & the couple loved it!"
"Grandson loves hockey so he enjoyed it!"
"Another book for hockey loving children."
"Super cute baby shower gift!"
3 Ugly
A funny, moving, and true story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face that's perfect for fans of Wonder— now available in the U.S. When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Gr 3–6—This memoir, set in Australia, is a heartbreaking account of being born and living with severe physical deformities. As a child, Hoge was in general healthy, but his mother initially did not want to keep him because of his appearance—he was born with mangled legs and a large tumor in the middle of his face. In the midst of all these efforts at having a more traditional childhood, Hoge underwent multiple surgeries to "improve" his face, as he understandably wished to belong. Recommended for its message of tolerance and acceptance.—Jess Gafkowitz, New York Public Library PRAISE FOR Ugly : "Ugly made me think, it made me feel both joy and sadness, but most of all, it made me laugh.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Written by a beautiful soul!"
"My granddaughter loved this book!"
"Well written, eye-opening."
"Interesting what he had to go through."
"Love this cook he realize that he is beautified know matter what he looks like 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😍😍😍😍😛😛😛😛😛😋😋😋🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩Love it so much ya."
"Very heart warming and sad at the same time."
"Mr. Hoge, came to my 4th grade son's class room to talk."
Best Children's Motor Sports Books
It’s a monster truck! Susan E. Goodman has written numerous works of historical fiction and nonfiction for kids, including the Ultimate Field Trip series and beginning readers such as the Step into Reading titles Motorcycles!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Grandson loves monster trucks."
"My Nephew is crazy about monster trucks, he lives in India and you do not find books on monster truck."
"My son (3) loves monster trucks."
"This is probably my problem....I bought it for my 5 year old grandson and found it way more advanced than expected."
"This book comes up when you do a search for grave digger, which is my son's favorite monster truck."
Best Children's Nonfiction Game Books
In the first book of this hilarious Minecraft adventure series, we get to read the diary of an actual 12 year old, Minecraft Zombie.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The ten year old read this book. His review is, "It was good but short." Here is the question and answer session that followed in order to elicit more information: What's it about? A zombie who has troubles at schools and goes on a couple of adventures. Is there any bad language or violence in it?"
"Obviously the premise of the story is based on the Wimpy Kid series, so you're basically getting a point-of-view story in diary form. There are little black and white pictures scattered throughout, so it breaks up the story and makes it more entertaining for the reader. I also have to add that we were given a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for a fair review, but I went ahead and purchased another copy for myself as well as book 4 in the series for my son - we loved it that much!"
"He got it for Christmas and spent that afternoon reading it--and this is a kid who didn't really read on his own for fun!"
"Overall I think it is a great book- especially good for encouraging boys to find the love for reading."
"My 6 year old read this in one day, he thought it was so entertaining!"
"It is for a younger group but I have been reading the freebie digital copy on my tablet and I have to admit, I am amused with it."
"Great gift for 10 yr old grandson!"
"My son loves being read to and we read to him every night, but this is the FIRST book that he has read independently!"