Junkyard Sports is a collection of activities students can play, and use to create their own sport from their experiences. Students can take previous sport knowledge, play with a different piece of equipment or "junk" within that game, and create a new sport. Every junkyard sport is a combination of rules from different sports, and another sport’s equipment or toy. Winning is not determined by points, but playing together is winning.

The book is presented in two parts: Introducing and Implementing Junkyard Sports, and The Junk Master's Guide. Part one has three chapters, and the first chapter explains the purpose and benefits of playing junkyard sports. The second chapter describes the people, place, junk, and games of junkyard sports. There are 120 junk items listed to start your program. The final chapter provides ground rules and teaching strategies for implementing a successful program.

The Junk Master's Guide section has 6 chapters containing versions of junkyard activities that relate to soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, football, and volleyball. Almost every junkyard activity includes rules from one sport, and equipment from another sport. DeKoven describes 7 ways to make games more fun:

1. Instead of two teams, add a third or take one away.
2. Change sides when one team gets too many points.
3. If there are turns, take them at the same time (serving the ball).
4. Play pointless, or keep scoring until you have a second, third, and last place.
5. Change it if it isn’t fun. Take a rule away or add a rule, take a ball out or add more, or do something silly.
6. Try it with a blindfold, one hand, or the non-dominate hand.
7. Cheat (if it makes the game better).

All the games have a small description of the goal, number of players, the space needed, junk items needed, the setup, safety, and coaching tips. Some of the activities have a drawing to describe the setup. One activity in the soccer chapter is called Beach-Basket Soccer. It is a soccer version of basketball using a very light ball. Broomies (goalies, but with two brooms) must use both brooms (or mops, yardsticks, or broom handles) to try and stop the beach ball, balloon, or kickball from going into the basket (hoop or a garbage can). Players may not touch each other, and goalies need their own space. Getting hit by a broom is a foul and a new broomie takes over the brooms! Another coaching tip is to try more than one ball, or to add more brooms and baskets.

This easy to read and use, friendly paperback book would be a 5 star for recreation leaders and elementary physical education teachers. The cooperative activities provide a valuable collection for various populations.

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