The Fast and the Furriest by Behrens

The Fast and the Furriest by Andy Behrens, 2010.
Audience: 3rd-6th grade
My Rating: 4* of 5
Summary: Meet Kevin Pugh, 12-year-old couch potato. Now meet Cromwell, his part beagle, part potato chip dog. Kevin's looking forward to spending his summer doing as little as possible. Unfortunately, Kevin's father, former Chicago Bears star player/super-sports fanatic, Howie Pugh, feels differently. So does Cromwell, who has suddenly and mysteriously developed a fascination with agility competitions.
Comments: Fast, furry, fun! A quick, delightful read with lots of laughs. Perfect for dog lovers from 6-60 who are sick of dead-dog books.
Read-Alikes: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, No More Dead Dogs

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter. 2009.

Audience: 2nd - 6th Grade; 5 and up

My Rating: 5*s of 5

Summary: In this striking picture book biography, an old-timer tells us what made Sandy Koufax so amazing. We learn that the beginning of his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers was rocky, that he was shy with his teammates, and experienced discrimination as one of the only Jews in the game. Accompanied by sidebars filled with statistics, here’s a book sure to delight budding baseball fans.

Comments: Wow! The fantastic cover (come on, who can resist a hologram of Koufax actually throwing a fastball?) pulled me into this extraordinary biography about a left-handed pitcher I had never heard of and will now never forget. The book reads like a casual and personal narrative told by one of Koufax's teammates, which allows for a perfect marriage of what Koufax did and who he was. The "stat box" style call outs throughout offer amazing info that enhances the experience. Illustrations--wow--couldn't be better. All the elements of this book come together to make something that is way more than a biography--a home run of a book!

Awards: Soon to come, I'm sure!

Read-alikes: Frida; Roberto Clemente; Fair Ball!; Muhammad Ali ; Dizzy (all by Winter); We Are the Ship by Nelson.

Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica

Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica. 2007. (Comeback Kids series, v.2) Audience: 4-6 Grade; Ages 8-10
My Rating: 3*s of 5
Summary: Brainy Scott, a great kicker who otherwise struggles with football, and star quarterback Chris, who has dyslexia, team up to help each other succeed in both football and school.
Comments: The writing is simple and straightforward as you would expect from a sportswriter. The plot and characters are engaging though predictable and somewhat caricatured. A good choice for boys reluctant to read.
Awards: Bluebonnet List 2009-2010
Read-alikes: Hot Hand, Comeback Kids series v.1