Level the Playing Field: The Past, Present, and Future of Women's Pro Sports

Gr 2–4—Rutherford, one of Canada's leading sports writers, tackles the history and contemporary issues surrounding women's professional sports. The discussion of equality—specifically salary equality—has increasingly become a central issue as athletes come forward and share their experiences. The author presents an informal discourse on the evolution of women's sports, its rising popularity in culture, and the challenges female athletes have faced and continue to confront. However, the end product is a bit uneven. The book begins by stating that Maya Moore, one of the most talented WNBA players ever, should need no introduction, à la LeBron James, but then it proceeds to describe Billie Jean King by saying, "[she] is to women's sport as Michael Jackson is to pop music" and refers to Marta Vieira da Silva, one of the best footballers of all time, as the "female Pelé." Nevertheless, this title will likely be popular with student athletes looking for inspiration and validation. Important events in women's sporting history (the 1999 Women's World Cup win for the United States, King's win over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes"), plus interviews with famous female athletes, will serve to inspire young dreams.