Book Nook: Youth Sports - Start Here

In 2013, Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens orchestrated a trade to acquire star left tackle, Eugene Monroe. Even though his time there was short, he was consistently graded as one of the best pass blockers in the NFL. Recently, Eugene Monroe has co-authored with Julie Buckley, M.D., a new book, Youth Sports: Start Here. Thousands of kids are hurt playing sports every year; the tragedy is that so many injuries are preventable. 

I had a chance to review the book, which is a good primer for parents whose kids have not yet started sports, or refresher for parents whose kids are already in sports. The well-written, informative book has a clear, explanatory tone that is accurate without being overly complicated. The comprehensive guide touches on nutrition, anatomy, growth, injuries (especially head injuries) - all the basics that a parent of a student-athlete needs to know.

Julie A. Buckley, M.D. is the author of two books, Healing Our Autistic Children and Breast Cancer: Start Here: Everything You Need to Know About Integrative Health for the Newly Diagnosed, as well as numerous professional publications. She practices pediatrics and functional medicine in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where she lives with her husband and two children.

As a senior at the University of Virginia, Eugene Monroe was a unanimous All-ACC selection, voted top blocker in the conference. Drafted eighth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he proceeded to help the Jags rank third in the NFL in 2010. Eugene retired from the NFL on July 21 to have more time to focus on 4th Down Partners, his real estate development company, continue his campaign for medical marijuana, and spend much-needed time with his wife and three children. He will continue to host the Eugene Monroe All Pro Football Camp each summer, a free camp experience for kids who want to learn how to improve the fundamentals of their game.