(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jeremy Holmes. Born into a German circus family in 1884, Katie Brumbach dazzled audiences with incredible feats of strength. Conrad opens her tale with Brumbach's legendary win over strongman Eugen Sandow, after which she renamed herself Sandwina. (The author says in her closing note that there is no written record of the victory but: "This legend has been told over and over again.") Readers learn of Sandwina's romance with a skinny acrobat named Max who became her husband -- and stage prop -- and of their immigration to the United States and her subsequent career. Conrad adopts the tone of a carnival barker to reel off her subject's many feats of strength: "Sandwina balanced a 1,000-pound cannon on her chest. When eight men placed a half-ton stone onto Sandwina's back, she threw it off!" Holmes matches Conrad's delivery with a poster-inspired design that leans into Sandwina's charismatic stage presence, topping her burly form with a pile of blue, curlicued tresses, and is complemented by flourishes of display type (which sometimes threaten to overwhelm the narrative). Occasional ticket-shaped callout boxes convey additional information, such as the fact that Sandwina and other circus women joined the suffrage movement. Beneath Conrad's breathless narration runs a strong current of body positivity: "Sandwina proved strength was beauty, and beauty was strength. Katie's bold costumes showed off every muscle." Photographs accompanying the back matter back this claim up. A rousing introduction to a larger-than-life figure.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2025

(1) K-3 Tate tells the story of Victorian-era bodybuilding superstar Eugen Sandow with drama and flair. His chronological narrative depicts an ambitious, hardworking showman with a drive for excellence--from "feeble" boy to acrobat, strongman, fitness guru, and creator of the first organized bodybuilding contest. Digital illustrations with gentle, textured black outlines housing a warm color palette show an approachable version of the athlete. Bib.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(4) 4-6 A & E Biography series. This matter-of-fact profile includes very little information on Schwarzenegger's personal life. Though Sexton attempts to be evenhanded--she mentions without judgment the accusations of sexual harassment and his lack of political experience before he ran for governor--the book still paints a heavily positive picture of him. Small black-and-white and color photos and occasional sidebars extend the text. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Composite Guide series. Each volume begins with a chapter focused on a specific athlete or a dramatic sporting event, followed by the history of that sport, the accomplishments of notable figures in the field, and scattershot information on official rules and regulations. These serviceable introductions are illustrated with unexceptional black-and-white photos. All have chronologies, and all but Extreme Sports and Strongman Competition have glossaries. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Legends of Health and Fitness series. Each book begins with an overview of a sport, followed by profiles of four notable participants. The biographical entries record personal background and career highlights while emphasizing the fitness regimens that have made each athlete a champion. Illustrated with uneven-quality black-and-white photos and printed in an overly ornate typeface, each profile also includes a time line. There are six other books in this series. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Book Report Biography series. Published spring 1998.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges