A History of Basketball for Girls and Women (Lerner's Sports Legacy Series) [Library Binding]

Joanne Lannin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Well-designed series entries featuring attractive covers and dozens of black-and-white and full-color photographs with captions. Wrestling briefly covers the colorful history of this sport from ancient times to the present day. One chapter is included on wrestling in Japan during the last few years, and some mention is given to wrestling in Europe and Mexico, but the focus is on the United States during the last 20 years. Personal and career highlights are related for many stars including Gorgeous George; Hulk Hogan; Bret Hart; Steve Austin; Andre the Giant; and promoter Vince McMahon, whose outrageous acts and use of marketing propelled pro wrestling to previously unimaginable heights of popularity. Greenberg doesn't shy away from the controversies that surround pro wrestling, including the entertainment versus sport debate, steroid abuse, and the behind-the-scenes deals that affected many athletes' lives. The author also covers the role of women in pro wrestling. Readers interested in the topic will gravitate to this book and learn that what they are watching are finely crafted, physically demanding soap operas, (as admitted by McMahon and others), not pure sport. Basketball covers the history of the sport and discusses how the changes in it over the last 100 years reflect the changes in American society. This fascinating account also provides information on female stars, coaches, officials, and rules and will satisfy fans as well as student researchers; in fact, there is no comparable book available on the subject for this age group.
Michael McCullough, Byron-Bergen Middle School, Bergen, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-9. This title in the Sports Legacy series offers a thorough, compelling account of the sport as championed and played by women. In clear, accessible prose, Lannin describes the game's creation in 1891 and its adoption by and adaptation for women. Abundant photos and drawings, including early game diagrams, reflect changing times, from fashions to game rules. Well-chosen examples of real-life events and generous use of quotes, most attributed within the text, effectively illustrate efforts made by women athletes, teams, and coaches to achieve some parity with male players in terms of respect, acceptance, and funding--from college to the pros. This well-researched, inspiring account will appeal to fans of both genders who follow the game, as well as to those interested in feminist studies and equal rights--on and off the court. A detailed list of further readings is appended. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 144 pages
• Publisher: LernerSports (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822533316
• ISBN-13: 978-0822533313
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,315,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Girls' Basketball Coach/High School-Middle School AD, October 4, 2001

By 

Jed Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Basketball for Girls and Women (Lerner's Sports Legacy Series) (Library Binding)

This book documents the development of basketball from its inception in 1891 to the present. The book provides a thorough history of the sport as it relates to girls and women. While many fans of basketball see this sport as a man's game, basketball for girls and women spread like wildfire within a week of its invention. As I have researched girls basketball extensively, I think it is fair to say that historically, women were more enthusiastic about basketball than men....although everyone loved it from the beginning. Just as their is a rich history of the Negro Leagues that flourished before blacks were allowed to play in the majors, basketball for females also flourished obscurely on the high school and college level. Of particular interest were the industrial leagues of 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Women were recruited to play for companies that sponsored women's teams to promote their business, attract good employees who were also good basketball players and to create employee loyalty in the face of threats for companies to unionize. These teams gave women a chance to travel and get paid for doing something they really loved.

There are two levels of girls and womens basketball; 1) the historical documentation of rules, leagues and great players and 2) the emotional impact the sport had on the lives of girls and women. This book deals with the former better than the latter. The research is careful and accurate. And it does tell the story. However, Jan Beran's book From Six on Six to Full Court Press, A Century of Iowa Girls' Basketball does a much better job of focusing on what basketball meant to the girls and women who made it part of their lives. I mention this not as a criticism but rather as a statement of focus. I find both books to be an invaluable source.

Girls basketball is my life. I coach girls high school basketball. I also teach young girls in basketball. This book is about the love for a game and the struggle of thousands of women to get equal gym time, equal pay and equal recognition. Great female basketball players have tremendous opportunity today. The great players of past decades became footnotes in sports history. This book does a good job of honoring all who have ever fell in love with the small orange sphere. Read this book and you will appreciate everything that girls' and womens' basketball is today. If you love girls basketball like I do, this is an informative, exciting and fun read.