This review is an excerpt of Dee Ann Grand's round-up review of children's books with Olympic themes.
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With women's gymnastics being the most popular summer Olympic competition, the American Gold Gymnasts series scores high marks. Competition Fever (Bantam, $3.50, 0553482965), and Balancing Act, both by Gabrielle Charbonnet, start off the series with Kelly Reynolds and her new stepsister from Russia, Maya Resnikov, adjusting to each other and to the fact that they are both competing for the same gymnastic goals. But first, these two must learn some difficult lessons about each other and themselves. Although a fiction series, the American Gold Gymnasts includes glossaries of gymnastic terms, and without really trying, introduces techniques and the dynamics of competition.Whether or not kids are lucky enough to attend the Centennial Olympic Games Youth Camp or score tickets and accommodations to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Atlanta, young readers can become enveloped in Olympic zeal by reading about dedicating themselves to something they have a passion for, taking risks, believing in themselves, and keeping a positive attitude. Hmmm. When you think about it, that's what the Olympics are really about.
Dee Ann Grand lives in Atlanta, is caught up in the Olympic fervor, and is a book editor for young readers.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.
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