The soccer encyclopedia

Gr 5-8-Soccer fans will enjoy this encyclopedic glimpse at their favorite sport, written by an author well known in the field. Chapters cover rules, skills, and popular players. Gifford updates his books every couple of years, so readers should be aware that this edition went to press before the 2014 World Cup results, with Germany winning in Brazil. There is no mention of the issues in Brazil, such as the safety problems or Luis Suárez biting an Italian player's ear in a game. Many chapters and colorful photographs are repeated from the previous years' editions. However, libraries that need a single-volume overview, rather than a set that separates out information over several titles, should go with Gifford's book.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This newly revised, wide-ranging resource covers the sport's history, basic rules, tactics and strategies, major professional teams and players, famous games, and the difficulties and rewards of being a professional soccer player. Each chapter opens with a double-page-spread photo and a short description of a famous feat (or defeat). Loads of other action-packed photos and "fact file" boxes break up the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., Ind. Copyright 2010 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.