Were you ever a cheerleader? Is anyone in your family involved with competitive cheer? Do you have friends or acquaintances whose kids spend hours practicing for the cheer squad?
Chances are good that you can answer "yes." According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, over 64,000 girls joined "competitive spirit squads" in the past academic year. The figure suggests that cheerleading remains a bedrock school activity, regardless of a school’s location, size, or funding.
Cheerleading has evolved from its traditional associations with pompoms into an engaging, demanding sport, as author Lisa Mullarkey notes in Enslow Publishers’ new, four-book "Ready, Set, Cheer!" collection.
Each 48-page title in Mullarkey’s series explores aspects of competitive cheer, from the sport’s basics to challenging stunts. The books feature age-appropriate vocabulary (Guided Reading Level M), engaging type styles, and a reader-friendly design. Carefully chosen photographs illustrate the cheer techniques’ physical look. A "Words to Know" section, additional reading suggestions, and a brief list of topically appropriate websites add educational value to the books.
If you have a child trying out for a cheer team, or is simply curious about cheerleading, this Enslow Publishers’ series offers an excellent, readable means to explore this sport. Go Enslow!
For those KISS lovers out there, here's some trivia on Gene Simmons. Did you know that Gene Simmons' real name is Chaim Witz? Did you know that his mom was a Holocaust survivor and had been in a concentration camp during World War II? Did you know that Gene was born in Israel, and moved to the United States when he was eight?
Michael Phelps 
