Sports Heroes

by J.P. Miller, Chellie Carroll (Illustrator)

Overview

Discover the courageous stories of elite Black athletes who battled prejudice and exclusion to become heroes and champions in their sport. Some have used their platform to bring attention to global, social, economic, and health issues. Others brought glory and fame to their countries. Read about such heroes in sports as boxer Muhammad Ali, tennis great Serena Williams, sprinter Usain Bolt, gymnast Simone Biles, and many more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781427128140
Publisher:	Crabtree Publishing
Publication date:	01/01/2021
Series:	Black Stories Matter Series
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	920L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 11 Years

Table of Contents

Angela James: Game on! 4

Usain Bolt: Life in the fast lane 7

Wilma Rudolph: Bigger than her circumstances 10

Pelé: Forward thinker 14

Ade Adepitan: Reach beyond your goal 17

Simone Biles: I a just 90 seconds 20

Jesse Owens: Running free 24

Serena Williams: Great expectations 28

Mo Farah The long run 32

Muhammad Ali: Unapologetically free 36

Mini Biographies

Alia Atkinson 40

Arthur Ashe 41

Jackie Joyner-Kersee 41

Charlie Sifford 42

Brian Lara 42

Michael Jordan 43

Sheryl Swoopes 44

Isabell Sambou 45

Glossary and Learning More 46

Quote Sources 47

Index, Author and Illustrator Biographies 48

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2021

Gr 4–8—These titles provide brief introductions to Black people of note in the fields of art, activism, science, and sport. Represented are the famous (Beyoncé, Martin Luther King Jr., etc.) and lesser-known (Umra Omar, Mary Seacole, etc.). Two to three pages focus primarily on accomplishments in their respective fields. Emphasis is placed on their individual experiences with racism: for example, Nina Simon was refused admittance into a prestigious music school due to her race. Unfortunately, the brief bios incline toward hagiography; little attention is paid to the personal lives and struggles of these complex people. Still, there is merit in that some of these individuals are seldom the subjects of other biographies, and included are the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, lending the works currency. VERDICT The volumes provide sufficient introductions to lesser-known Black achievers and may induce readers to more in-depth research. Purchasers should consider based on need.

School Library Journal