The football fanbook

This colorful book will appeal to kids who know the basics of football but want to learn more about the sport and its history. The opening chapter looks at notable stats (most career touchdowns: 208, Jerry Rice; longest field goal: 64 yards, Matt Prater; the only perfect record: 17-0, 1972 Miami Dolphins), presented with paragraphs of information and action photos. Other chapters offer obscure facts, tips on skills such as throwing a spiral, drafting a fantasy-league team, collecting autographs from the pros, and thinking like a coach about offensive and defensive strategies. One unique section pairs legendary players with current counterparts who play the same positions and have similar builds, skills, and styles of play, such as quarterbacks Joe Montana and Aaron Rodgers, wide receivers Jerry Rice and Odell Beckham Jr., and defensive ends Reggie White and J. J. Watt. Offering a good deal of interesting reading along with color photos on almost every page, this book works well for browsing or closer reading. A solid choice for sports collections.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2017 Booklist

Gr 5 Up-This browsable, trivia-filled title is full of useful factoids for football fans. Right from the get-go, Gramling dives into the stats and figures of the NFL, from most career touchdowns (Jerry Rice at 208) to most career rushing yards (Emmitt Smith at 18,355). Subsequent chapters cover coaching strategies, recipes for snacks, tips on how to play and/or start a fantasy team, and the history behind the Heisman Trophy, referees' striped shirts, and more. A "Team Tidbits" section dedicates a page to each NFL team's history and additional stats. The final chapter doubles as a football dictionary, going over game-related terms from A to Z. The bright, clean layout is visually pleasing, and the detailed, reader-friendly text effectively covers the intricacies of the sport. Unlike other volumes on the subject, the book does not rely on flashy gimmicks or graphics to hook readers, just solid information and fantastic photography. VERDICT A must-have for football fans or communities where the game is popular.-Joanne Albano, Commack Public Library, NY © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.