Crowe is a good inductive thinker, ably discerning patterns and trends in the field and sorting titles into usefully delineated subgenres. Intended primarily for teachers and librarians, this work directs readers to the very best in young adult sports books....Crowe's book is interesting and stylish enough (see his humorous paragraph on Quidditch) to be read straight through and rigorous enough to serve as a valuable reference for teachers, parents, and librarians....Crowe's study is an important book about an important kind of book.

Children's Literature Association Quarterly

Readable and fascinating....Categorizing and listing every sports-related book with teen appeal is an impossible feat, but the appendixes earn a medal for their impressive range. If only all professional reading could be so brainy and muscular.

VOYA