Reading Level: Grade 3 Interest Level: Grades 2 – 5
Smackdown! This series introduces readers to eight popular contemporary wrestlers, covering their early lives, wrestling careers, skills, and signature moves. Each title features informative sidebars, engaging infographics, vivid photographs, and a glossary.
These biographies of modern wrestlers for a hi-lo audience describe the upbringings, wins, losses, and journeys to stardom for current wrestling stars. Titles include two figures from men’s wrestling and two from women’s, and fans of all genders will enjoy learning more about these heavy-hitters. Each title begins with a narrative about a big win for the competitor, and then has biographical information about their childhoods, training, and entry to the sport. Timelines are featured. Fun facts, like their favorite foods and what wrestlers they looked up to as kids, are included alongside dynamic photos of the subjects in action. Written at a third-grade level these titles could entertain readers in grades three to seven. VERDICT: Purchase where readers have an interest in wrestling.
