Six sports stories center on inspirational quotations. A football team’s third- and fourth-stringers battle to score in the last game of the season. A third baseman struggles with his confidence at the plate. A soccer goalie must leave her place of safety to sub for an injured teammate on the field. A gymnast conquers her fear of injury. Lessons about teamwork, pride, taking chances and risking failure will be familiar to sports enthusiasts everywhere. The format is bright and busy, with captions in a range of font sizes and full-page photographs that vary according to the unique energy and rhythm of each sport. Smith emphasizes interior monologue, dialogue and reportage over characterization and plot, putting readers directly into the minds of athletes and leaving reflection and insight for other works. The immediacy of the storytelling and the lively format will attract young sports buffs looking for something different. (author’s note) (Short stories. 9 & up)
