Is anyone up for a bout of chessboxing? Yes, this “sport” is comprised of a chess match followed by a three-minute round of boxing! How about a pumpkin race (rowing in a large, hollowed-out pumpkin) or extreme ironing (absolutely beyond description)? Author Marie Birmingham must have had a blast compiling the material for her new book Weird Zone: Sports (Owlkids, 13.95). Each description of a sport is accompanied by photographs, humorous illustrations, and trivia, including the science behind the sport and its amusing history. This book is just plain fun and may inspire the reader to dream up his or her own outlandish new sport. Ages 8-12. RBB