This slender book features eight of the most promising players who have joined the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the last three years. Each athlete appears on a double-page spread in which the left-hand page carries a paragraph of informational text; a fact box (height, team, position, college, year of joining the league); and a caption for the colorful, full-page action photo of the player that appears on the facing page. Written in short sentences with fairly large type, the main text offers a few facts and plenty of enthusiasm. While this volume may have a somewhat shorter shelf life than certain others in the Women’s Professional Basketball series (6 titles), which also includes titles on the WNBA’s history and all-time best players, fans will probably grab this one first.

Young readers will be inspired by the accomplishments of professional women’s basketball players spotlighted in this series. WNBA Records and Trivia has a different record called out on each spread, illustrated with great action shots of the stars mentioned—notably Diana Taurasi; who holds records for all-time points, all-time free throws made, most three-point shots made, and most points in a season. Superstars and Young Stars highlight all the best female ballers, listing their accomplishments and stats in quick overviews. All-Time Best includes Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes, two players from the first season of the WNBA who are both Basketball Hall of Fame inductees. The books aren’t packed with information, but they have an inspiring, hopeful tone. VERDICT Your shelves are probably missing influential women ballers—this set will fix that gap. Highly recommended.