Lists and Suggestions for Kids

Althea Gibson was the quickest, tallest, most fearless athlete in 1940s Harlem. She couldn't sit still! When she put her mind to it, the fleet-of-foot girl reigned supreme at every sport--stickball with the boys, basketball with the girls, paddle tennis with anyone who would hit with her. But being the quickest, tallest, most fearless player in Harlem wasn't enough for Althea. She knew she could be a tennis champion. Because of segregation, black people weren't allowed to compete against white people in sports. Althea didn't care. She just wanted to play tennis against the best athletes in the world. And with skill and determination, she did just that, eventually becoming the first black person--man or woman--to win a trophy at Wimbledon.

"Athlete after athlete in this book found discipline, hope, and inspiration on the playing field, rising above their circumstances. Filled with first-hand accounts from stars who exemplify the idea of enduring at all costs, Rising Above will serve as a must-read source of inspiration for kids and sports fans of all ages"--

"Wilma was born into a family with 22 brothers and sisters, in the segregated South. She contracted polio in her early years and her doctors said she would never walk again. But Wilma persisted with treatment, and she recovered her strength by the age of 12. At school, Wilma showed a talent for basketball and sprinting, earning the nickname "Skeeter" (mosquito) as she ran so fast. Wilma was in college when she went to the 1960 Olympics. She not only won gold in sprint events, but also broke world records with her sprinting skill. She had beaten polio to become an Olympic champion. She is a huge inspiration to many women in sports around the world. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete's life"--

Artistic gymnastics is a demonstration on strength, athletics, and grace. Gymnastics has athletes and moments that leave the world in awe. Nadia Comaneci was 14 years old when she was the first person to get a perfect score at the Olympics. Kohei Uchimura showed why he's the best in the world when he won the all-around title five years in a row. Gabby Douglas crushed her competition to become the first black gymnast to claim gold in the all-around event.

"A photo-illustrated biography for early readers on four-time, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. Describes her childhood, her early interest in gymnastics, and her success as an Olympic gymnast. Includes a fact sheet with highlighted accomplishments, glossary, books, and websites"--

"Well before Simone confronted the pressure of the Olympics, she faced real-life challenges as a kid while moving in and out of foster care. With the support and love of her family, she rode an unwavering drive to make history and grew into an incredible role model and activist--not to mention one of the greatest athletes of our time." -- inside front jacket flap.

In 1989, Venus and Serena Williams faced off in their first tennis tournament. They went on to take the tennis world by storm, achieved everything possible in the sport, and stood by one another through thick and thin. Leslie takes young readers from their beginnings on a crumbling Compton tennis court to their shining achievements, and shows us that despite being served some of the most challenging hardships in life Venus and Serena always continued to swing back stronger. --

"Mo'ne Davis did what most people thought couldn't be done. She dominated like no girl had done before, showing that girls could beat boys at their own Little League baseball game. At 13 years old, during a spectacular month in August 2014, Mo'ne became the most famous baseball player in the nation. She threw fastballs to rival the form of major league pitches. She showed maturity and poise beyond her years, And perhaps the most amazing thing is, baseball is probably not her best sport. You might someday see her playing professional basketball. When it comes to Mo'ne Davis, all things are possible,"-- Page 4 of cover.

"Mamie "Peanut" Johnson had one dream: to play professional baseball. She was a talented player, but she wasn't welcome on the all-white Girls Pro Baseball League team due to the color of her skin. However, a greater opportunity came her way in 1953 when Johnson signed to play ball with the Negro Leagues' Indianoplis Clowns, becoming the only professional female pitcher to play on a men's team. During the three years she played with the team, her record was an impressive 33-8. But more importantly, she broke ground for female pitchers like Mo'ne Davis and women everywhere"--

Before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, Black athletes plated in the Negro Leagues, on teams coached by Black managers, cheered on by Black fans. Those leagues owed their existence and success to savvy businesspeople like Effa Manley, the Black female co-owner of the Newark Eagles. Manley was the team's business manager, leading her team to win the Negro World Series in 1946. Williams shows how Manley devoted her life to Black empowerment, invested in community programs, and fought for her team's place on an unequal field. --

Most of the time sports are seen as the height of competition, but often they also bring people together in times of cultural, social, and political upheaval. Jesse Owens explores the way the Olympic track athlete served to bring Americans (and citizens around the world) together against a common enemy. Includes ties to 21st Century themes, as well as infographics, timelines, glossary, and index.

Jesse Owens is one of the most famous athletes of all time, but he experienced discrimination throughout his athletic career, such as having to stay at a different hotel to his teammates, because of the color of his skin. However, he went on to win an incredible four gold medals at the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games. This biography, ideal for kids aged 8-11, charts the major events of Jesse's life; from his childhood growing up on a farm in Alabama before his family moved to Ohio in search of better opportunities, to the beginning of his running career and years as a world record-breaking student athlete while working part-time jobs, all the way to the Olympics and beyond.

"One of five siblings, Little Michael grew up facing competition in every game he played. When he failed to make the school basketball squad, he trained all summer long. The next year, he was the star of the team, and went on to become the most famous player of all time. By working hard to be the best, Michael encourages us to always shoot for our dreams. This inspiring story of the athlete and businessman features a fact and photo section at the back"--

"Zion Williamson was a record-breaking high-school athlete in South Carolina. He went on to lead Duke University's basketball team in scoring and rebounding. Williamson's outstanding performance earned him the number-one pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Though his 2019 season started with an injury and ended with a pandemic, his future is bright. Learn about Williamson's steady climb to the top and find out where he wants to go from there"--

"That They Lived: African Americans Who Changed the World features Riley's grandson, Caleb, and Lola (Smith-Jones' daughter) photographed in timeless black and white, dressed as important individuals such as business owners, educators, civil rights leaders, and artists, alongside detailed biographies that begin with the figures as young children who had the same ambitions, fears, strengths, and obstacles facing them that readers today may still experience. Muhammad Ali's bike was stolen when he was twelve years old and the police officer he reported the crime to suggested he learn how to fight before he caught up with the thief. Bessie Coleman, the first African American female aviator, collected and washed her neighbors' dirty laundry so she could raise enough money for college. When Duke Ellington was seven years old, he preferred playing baseball to attending the piano lessons his mom had arranged. That They Lived fills in gaps in the history that American children have been taught for generations. For African American children, it will prove that they are more than descendants of the enslaved. For all children, it will show that every child can achieve great things and work together to make the world a better place for all."--

Throughout his life, basketball superstar Earvin Magic Johnson has met both challenges and opportunities with perseverance and leadership. Dubbed "Magic," Johnson blazed a spectacular career in basketball. His play with the Los Angeles Lakers as point guard alongside center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as well as his epic rivalry with the Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird, marked a legendary era in the NBA. In 1991, Magic announced he had tested positive for HIV, a virus that can lead to the life-threatening disease AIDS, and was retiring from basketball. Little was known then about HIV/AIDS and its prevention. His declaration shocked the public but succeeded in putting a familiar and much-admired face on a disease that was shrouded in fear and prejudice. Magic Johnson's legacy includes his inspirational work as an advocate for the prevention of HIV and the still-incurable disease AIDS through his own foundation, which provides programs for HIV/AIDS education and prevention, including testing and safe sex practices.

"Amazing visual timelines take readers through the people and the issues that have shaped Black history. Erased. Ignored. Hidden. Lost. Under appreciated. No longer. Delve into the unique, inspiring, and world-changing history of Black people. From Frederick Douglass to Oprah Winfrey, and the achievements of ancient African kingdoms to those of the US Civil Rights Movement, Timelines From Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies takes kids on an exceptional journey from prehistory to modern times. This DK children's book boasts more than 30 visual timelines, which explore the biographies of the famous and the not-so-famous - from royalty to activists, and writers to scientists, and much, much more. Stunning thematic timelines also explain the development of Black history - from the experiences of black people in the US, to the story of postcolonial Africa. Did you know that the richest person ever to have lived was a West African? Or that the technology that made the light bulb possible was developed by African American inventor, and not Thomas Edison? How about the fact that Ethiopia was the only African country to avoid colonization, thanks to the leadership of a brave queen? Stacked with facts and visually vibrant, Timelines From Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies is an unforgettable and accessible hive of information on the people and the issues that have shaped Black history."--

At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward. But with a talent for basketball, and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. From a childhood made difficult by racism and prejudice to a record-smashing career on the basketball court as an adult, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's life was packed with "coaches" who taught him right from wrong and led him on the path to greatness. His parents, coaches Jack Donahue and John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and many others played important roles in Abdul-Jabbar's life and sparked him to become an activist for social change and advancement. The inspiration from those around him, and his drive to find his own path in life, are highlighted in this personal and awe-inspiring journey. -- Provided by publisher.

"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"--

"Considered the fastest woman of all time, Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, set two world records in 1988 that still stand today. But getting there wasn't easy, and Flo-Jo had to overcome many challenges along the way. She succeeded in achieving her dreams, and inspired creative self-expression and a new generation of athletes as she did." -- inside front jacket flap.

"A photo-illustrated biography for early readers on Minnesota Lynx basketball star Sylvia Fowles. Describes her life growing up, where she went to college, and how she helped her team win three WNBA titles. Includes a fact sheet with highlighted accomplishments, glossary, books, and websites"--

"As the youngest player in the National Basketball Association during his rookie season, Giannis Antetokounmpo looked like a rising star. At almost seven feet tall, he would become an All-Star Game starter and winner of the NBA's most improved player award. Giannis went from selling toys and sunglasses to help his family get by to playing in the NBA and turning heads with his power and grace. Get all the facts on Giannis's extraordinary rise in basketball in this exciting biography"--

"Standing over 6 feet tall while in middle school, Kevin Durant seemed destined for basketball greatness. He was heavily recruited after high school and never folded to the pressure. From NBA rookie of the year to the NBA finals MVP, Durant has proven himself time and time again. This fresh biography from the Stars of Sports series breaks down his extraordinary list of accomplishments"--

Recounts the politically and racially charged rivalry between African-American boxing champion Joe Louis and white German boxer Max Schmeling, which grew between their 1936 and 1938 matches. Tracing both men's careers from inception until they hung up their gloves, the authors illuminate how emblematic each was to his country while exploring the social issues of the day.

Satchel Paige began his baseball career in the Negro Leagues in Alabama in the 1920s. For years, Jim Crow laws, which segregated blacks and whites, kept him out of the major leagues. But they couldn't stop him from becoming a world-class athlete. This is a fictionalized account of a real-life sports hero.

"Discover the true story of how in 1944, Coach John McLendon orchestrated a secret game between the best players from a white college and his team from the North Carolina College of Negroes. At a time of widespread segregation and rampant racism, this illegal gathering changed the sport of basketball forever"--Dust jacket flap.

Banned from professional baseball in the late 19th century, African-American players were forced to go on the road to make money playing the game they loved. Enduring poor fields and long journeyes between games, teams brought their unique and entertaining brand of baseball to towns big and small. Even when they had trouble securing food and lodging because of the color of their skin, these players perserved, opening the door for the ultimate return of African-American athletes to big-league baseball.

Like America in the first half of the twentieth century, baseball was still segregated. Every road to the major leagues was blocked by unwritten agreements never to allow black athletes entry. It seemed like the better they played, the further they were pushed back. Until, that is, a plan was hatched by two men. One seized an opportunity to advance the game of baseball forever, and the other ran a path through bigotry like he ran the bases, with strength and grace. Branch Rickey and Jakie Robinson would work together to break down the color barriers of baseball, and show the world that African-American athletes were as good and as worthy as anyone to put on a major league uniform. They were not alone. From Larry Doby to Monte Irvin, and the irrepressible Satchel Paige, baseball was gifted by the emergence of a wealth of talent and personality that would truly make it, at last, America's pastime.

"In 1934, Chicago was the setting for one of the most fascinating ballgames in history: the second annual East-West Games. Come step back in time to see the best of the best Negro League players take each other on in this All-Star Game. This exhilarating play-by-play is a tour de force: a complete imagining of the radio broadcast of that thrilling game. You'll meet the legendary players, step into the stands with the fans, and even hear the radio commercials! Coretta Scott King Award Winner Charles Smith, Jr has written a must-have for any baseball aficionado. Beautifully packaged and with incredible black-and-white illustrations by Frank Morrison, this is a rare and momentous book"--Provided by publisher.