Simone Biles: Greatest of All Time

by Heather E. Schwartz

Overview

Simone Biles discovered gymnastics on a chance day-care trip to a gym when she was six years old. Ten years later, she became the first Black woman to win the all-around world championship title. A two-time Olympian, Biles has won more world championship medals than any gymnast before her and has four official skills named after her. But Biles's fans celebrate her courage as much as her gravity-defying moves. She's spoken out about her abuse by USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, having ADHD, and her struggles with mental health leading up to and during the 2021 Olympics. Learn more about Biles's life and career, and discover how she became one of gymnastics' most accomplished and celebrated athletes of all time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728469959
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2022
Series:	Gateway Biographies Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	10 - 11 Years

About the Author

Heather E. Schwartz was thirteen years old, she tracked down several lead orphans from the 1983 movie "Annie" and interviewed them by phone. As an adult, she realized she could apply those same early instincts to a career as a journalist and writer. She is the author of more than 35 nonfiction children's titles, published by Lerner Publishing Group, Capstone Press, Teacher Created Materials, Lucent Books, and Tangerine Press, a Scholastic imprint. She has written articles for National Geographic Kids and Discovery Girls. In addition, she developed the content for KidsGetArthritisToo.org, the juvenile section of the Arthritis Foundation's website. Other credits in the children's market include articles for Teen, Girls' Life, and All About You magazines. Additionally, Ms. Schwartz is a former editor at Bridal Guide magazine, co-author of Bridal Guide Magazine's How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Gown (Warner, 2004), and contributor to The Takeout Cookbook (Knock Knock 2007).

Table of Contents

Getting Started 9

Giving Her All 13

Going for Olympic Gold 17

Taking a Break 21

Telling Her Story 24

Coming Back 27

Taking Control 32

Greatest of All Time 37

Important Dates 42

Source Notes 44

Selected Bibliography 46

Learn More 47

Index 48

Editorial Reviews

"All of these titles portray their subjects in a positive light as the focus is on their achievements and motivation."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

11/01/2022

Gr 4–8—An eclectic mix of four living celebrities is represented in these biographies. In Volodymyr Zelensky, readers learn about Zelensky's time as an entertainer who then became president of the troubled eastern European country Ukraine, and includes facts about the current war with Russia. Dolly Parton chronicles the singer's life from her childhood poverty through her outstanding career including her hit records and movie ventures. Deb Haaland introduces readers to the newest Secretary of the Interior and relates her Native American background and political career. Simone Biles explores Biles's gymnastics career including her Olympic competitions and mental health issues. All of these titles portray their subjects in a positive light as the focus is on their achievements and motivation. The books on Zelensky and Haaland are timely given the recency of their fame and current events. There are several similar biographies already on Parton and Biles, however these are more current. None of the narratives provide much information on personal lives; Biles's fiancé and pending nuptials are completely omitted. Given that these people are living and still active in their fields, and the subjects appear in many other juvenile biographies (excepting the one on Haaland), these titles may not be considered necessary. VERDICT Even though the information provided is good, all these subjects except Haaland, are featured in other biographies and these would at best be supplemental purchases. The title on Haaland should be considered as there is little on her and her position makes her a unique figure.

School Library Journal