Review by Booklist Review
As a girls' hockey coach and sports journalist, Rutherford has experienced firsthand the shifting landscape of women in sports. In an engaging, conversational tone, Rutherford lays out the state of women in professional sports before Title IX was passed and mandated equal opportunities for women in federally funded schools, how it has changed since, and where women's sports leagues are headed. Her message is a hopeful one: though women's leagues lack exposure and funding (much like the early days of organizations like the MLB and NBA), their athletes are giving girls a thrilling example to follow, both on the field and on the sidelines, which is generating a significant move toward equity. Big, full-color action photos of a diverse array of women from a broad range of sports adorn each page, and brief interviews offer tidy glimpses into the life of a professional athlete. Rutherford's optimistic and informative volume will not only enlighten students working on reports, but its empowering tone will encourage more young women to pursue careers in this expanding field of athletics.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Rutherford, one of Canada's leading sports writers, tackles the history and contemporary issues surrounding women's professional sports. The discussion of equality-specifically salary equality-has increasingly become a central issue as athletes come forward and share their experiences. The author presents an informal discourse on the evolution of women's sports, its rising popularity in culture, and the challenges female athletes have faced and continue to confront. However, the end product is a bit uneven. The book begins by stating that Maya Moore, one of the most talented WNBA players ever, should need no introduction, à la LeBron James, but then it proceeds to describe Billie Jean King by saying, "[she] is to women's sport as Michael Jackson is to pop music" and refers to Marta Vieira da Silva, one of the best footballers of all time, as the "female Pelé." Nevertheless, this title will likely be popular with student athletes looking for inspiration and validation. Important events in women's sporting history (the 1999 Women's World Cup win for the United States, King's win over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes"), plus interviews with famous female athletes, will serve to inspire young dreams. VERDICT A flawed but competent work on the state of women's pro sports. Recommended for public and school libraries.-Tyler Hixson, School Library Journal © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Why is the pro sports experience so different for a man versus a woman?" Rutherford tackles this question, addressing the historical lack of opportunity and exposure, stereotyping, and salary differences. Nicely supplemented by photos, the text also includes interviews with professional athletes, individual profiles, and a look toward future progress. An impressive guide to the movement for gender equality in sports. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
