Coaching & Scouting

Gr 7–10—Exploring the abundance of nonathletic jobs available in professional, collegiate, and high school sports, this text-heavy series does an exemplary job preparing readers for careers off the field. Each volume contains four chapters—"Getting Started," "Hard at Work," Realities of the Workplace," and "The Nitty-Gritty"—that deliver an honest, realistic perspective on the profession, including an eye-opening look at job opportunities. Text-dependent questions and suggestions for research projects extend the content. Emphasizing a strong background in writing and math, the books don't shy away from asserting the importance of education and even offer examples of colleges where students can develop the skills they'll need to pursue their sports-related careers. Contemporary real-world examples, such as how the hiring of Becky Hammon in 2014 as the assistant coach for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs was the first time a woman had filled in that role in any major pro sport, and interviews with individuals with years of experience in their fields provide not only currency and authority but inspiration for would-be sports professionals. While an all-encompassing "Series Glossary of Key Words" minimizes the job-specific vocabulary and lingo, it's a minor detriment to this standout series.