A Boy Named Boomer (Hello Reader!, Level 3)

An year in the early life of NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason follows his January instruction by his father on how to catch a football through his receiving the best Christmas gift ever in December. Original.

Kindergarten-Grade 3?A unique easy reader that will appeal to young sports fans. Professional football star Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason addresses readers in an introductory letter, then presents 12 reminiscences from his youth, focusing on family, friends, school, and sports. They include secret valentines in elementary school, a birthday fishing trip with his father, an outing to a professional baseball game, and a visit to the principal's office. The writing consists of many simple declarative sentences, but the monthly "chapters" keep the narrative from becoming simply a laundry list of accomplishments. The bright, realistic watercolors add a warm tone that will keep children turning the pages. Facial expressions and body positions capture the text's action and excitement. The book concludes with a mini-photo album, including a wonderful picture of Boomer's first Christmas. A high-interest biography.?Mary Ann Bursk, Bucks County Free Library, Levittown, PA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 1^-2. Beginning readers will enjoy reading NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason's recollection of incidents from his childhood. In the January entry, Boomer's father teaches him to catch a football ("Don't be afraid of it," he said. "You have to love the ball. If you love it, you will catch it" ). In July, Boomer and his buddies build a fort, destroy their rivals' fort, and return to find theirs wrecked, too. In September, Boomer lets a classmate's show-and-tell frogs loose in school. The book ends with "Boomer's Football Career," a short sports biography in words and photos. Esiason's name may give this book its immediate appeal, but the affable tone of the stories and the full-color illustrations make it a satisfying choice. Carolyn Phelan