Elissa Stein has written a fun book called: Cheerleader - Ready? Okay?

It’s an attractive book filled with colorful illustrations and photos of cheerleaders over the years. The book contains sections on the History of Cheerleading, Cheerleading Fashion, What it Takes, and Beyond Pom-poms. 

In the section on the history of cheerleading, Stein reminds us that in the beginning, cheerleading “belonged to the boys” who wore white slacks and coordinated sweaters. Princeton created the country’s first cheer in the 1860’s at a football game (”Hooray, hooray, hooray! Tiger, sis, boom, aah…Princeton!”).  Princeton grad, Thomas Peebles, brought the cheer concept to the University of Minnesota.  

The “girls” joined the “boys” in the 1920’s and were eventually fully integrated into the cheerleading scene. The Ohio State coach was quoted as saying, “…they are fine looking, bobbed-haired, rhythmic, well-formed individuals who are just outstanding girls.” 

This book would make a fine present for your favorite cheerleader or cheer coach. The photos on cheerleading fashion is a fascinating peek at the evolution of a wonderful American sport.

Kate Torgovnick’s book - Cheer! -  reads like a novel.  I found myself really caring about what happened to the various characters and became invested in their successes.  I felt my heart pounding in anticipation as she recounted the details of each competition and was crushed when things go wrong.   (I won’t reveal what went wrong where….read the book!)

Whether you’re a cheerleader, a cheer coach, or a fan, you will find something to like about this book.