Glossy action photographs, brightly colored sidebars, and "Fast Facts" combine with game-detailed, statistics-filled texts to superficially profile two of hockey's most popular players. Ovechkin hails from Russia, where the breakup of the Soviet Union allowed him to play in the NHL. Crosby's narrative begins with his "Golden Goal" to win the 2010 Winter Olympics for Team Canada. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Sports Illustrated Kids: Hockey Superstars titles: Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.] (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This short but informative volume in the Hockey Superstars series introduces Canadian hockey giant Sidney Crosby. Burgan takes readers through Crosby's life as a kid in Canada practicing the game in his basement through his speedy rise in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins and role as captain of the Canadian Olympic team. Crosby experienced both health and career struggles, but rather than keeping him off the ice, these moments demonstrate for readers his dogged perseverance. The concise yet not too simple sentences are a great match for reluctant readers, and there's enough information in this slim volume to help students with research papers. Hockey-loving browsers, too, will find plenty of entertaining facts purely for personal interest. The closing sections include a glossary of vocabulary words (which are highlighted in red throughout the text), a short bibliography, and an index. With magazine-style page layouts and plenty of full-color hockey-action photos and fast-fact sidebars, this is sure to be a hit for young hockey fans.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2015 Booklist