Handpicked by Our Editors

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Age 5+
4

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Why We Recommend It

Jackie Robinson was special on the baseball field and off. His daughter's bio of the slugger-as-dad emphasizes courage.

Read our full review
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showing: sports
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Pop by Gordon Korman
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a complex story involving family secrets and the lengths that some families will go to in order to protect them. There is one party where teens drink beer and there are a couple of minor fights, but overall this is a mild ... read more

Age 12+
Pop
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Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica
Parents Need to Know...

that although this book will mostly satisfy sports lovers and football fanatics, it has a strong plot about Nate helping his best friend Abby deal with the onset of blindness. It also deals with how kids and parents both learn to deal ... read more

Age 10+
Million-Dollar Throw
3
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Baseball Great by Tim Green
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a story about an adult coach who gives steroids to the children on his under-14 baseball team. The main character doesn't take them and works to stop the coach. There's also a short but nasty fistfight in a public bathroom. read more

Age 9+
Baseball Great
3
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Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some heavy subjects in this novel, including teen steroid use, suicide, and violence related to drug use. A teen threatens to shoot a friend before turning the gun on himself. Adults take advantage of impressionable teens, ... read more

Age 13+
Gym Candy
4
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We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
Parents Need to Know...

that this is an important and valuable book that gives new insight into African-American history and the history of baseball. read more

Age 9+
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
5
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You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing offensive about this inspiring baseball biography. read more

Age 8+
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!
4
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The Big Field by Mike Lupica
Parents Need to Know...

that, aside from the mentions of some products, there is nothing to be concerned about here. Hutch, despite some understandable mistakes, is a great role model of conscious sportsmanship and team playing. read more

Age 9+
The Big Field
4
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The Longest Season by Cal Ripken, Jr.
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing offensive about this book. The message is a worthy one for every one -- young or old. read more

Age 4+
The Longest Season
3
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Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl by John Feinstein
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is very mild by young adult standards; "hell" and "damn" are said a few times, there's some non-explicit kissing, and the mystery involves illegal growth-enhancing drugs used by athletes. read more

Age 11+
Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl
4
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Thumb on a Diamond by Ken Roberts
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing to be concerned about here, and the characters have an easy-going camaraderie that's admirable. read more

Age 8+
Thumb on a Diamond
4
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Heat by Mike Lupica
Parents Need to Know...

that there's not much to be concerned about here: some lying, though for good reasons; some dishonest actions, with lessons learned; and some products (including food brands) mentioned approvingly. read more

Age 9+
Heat
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A Season of Comebacks by Kathy Mackel
Parents Need to Know...

that girls who love softball will love this book, which portrays them as important players. There's also some exciting softball action, and sprightly writing. But a few of the problems the characters face are resolved far too easily. read more

Age 9+
A Season of Comebacks
3
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S.O.R. Losers by Avi
Parents Need to Know...

that kids -- especially those whose tastes run counter to the herd -- will quickly buy into the convincing school setting and situations in this witty story. Clever dialogue and a tongue-in-cheek depiction of a group of independent ... read more

Age 9+
S.O.R. Losers
4
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Hoops by Walter Dean Myers
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a hard-boiled depiction of life in the ghetto and the world of basketball, as the main character hovers between crime and a scholarship. Poor grammar adds to the realism. Compelling writing illuminates the life of a ... read more

Age 13+
Hoops
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Baseball Bob by William Joyce
Parents Need to Know...

that the story has the clarity and concision of a news broadcast, with the same riveting tone, and the artwork couldn't be more softhearted and engaging. read more

Age 4+
Baseball Bob
4
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Common Sense Media's book reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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