Hockey Superstars 2006-2007. Paul Romanuk. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2006. 48 pp., pbk., $6.99. ISBN 978-0-439-93846-4. Subject Headings: Hockey players-Biography. National Hockey League-Biography. Grades 1-7 / Ages 6-12. Review by Rosemary Hollett. *** /4

excerpt:

I'm not trying to be the next Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux. I'm putting pressure on myself to do my best and perform to my potential. That's all I can do.

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is probably "the" most talked about player in the NHL and just one of the 17 superstars featured in this edition of Paul Romanuk's Hockey Superstars 2006-2007. Other players include new stars Alexander Ovechkin and Eric Staal as well as veteran players such as Mats Sundin and Chris Pronger.

     The proven format features a full colour poster photo of the stars in action, with stats and a short bio on the right hand page and the scoop on their careers plus a few fun facts on the left of the double page spread.

     For instance, "did you know" that Bryan McCabe has one of the hardest shots in the NHL? It was once clocked at just under 99.7mph (160.5 kph)! Or that Joe Thornton spent the 2004-2005 lockout season playing for Davos in the Swiss league? Fellow NHLer Rick Nash was also there, and the two led Davos to a league title as well as a Spengler Cup title.

     Extras included in this edition are a team listing with information on colours, home arena, mascot, Cups won and nickname. There is also a visual/text reference of referee signals and what they mean which will be of interest to the novice player or fan. The issue is "interactive" in that there is ample space to chart your favourite teams progress, end of season standings, playoff predictions, favourite players scoring records and favourite goaltenders records.

     Final team standing from 2005-2006 will benefit the hockey pool enthusiast, and a space for the countdown to the Cup 2007 for the Eastern and Western Conferences will bring the season to an exciting conclusion.

     The edition finishes with a listing of the NHL awards, a short description of each, the winner from 2006 and room to write your predictions for 2007. The format does not include a table of content or an index, but one quickly adapts to the layout and any information is easily located.

     Scholastic has once again produced a well organized, glossy publication. The style is breezy, informative and entertaining. At a cost of $6.99, every young hockey fan would enjoy a copy. Although not classic literature, it encourages reading, analyzing, predicting, etc. I hesitate to recommend a copy for school or public libraries, but the copies I have in my library from eight years ago are still checked out regularly!!!

Recommended.

Rosemary Hollett is the Librarian of St. Emile School, Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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