The Horn Book Guide

SPORTS

Crowe, Ellie

Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku

48 pp. | Lee | October, 2007 | Trade ISBN 978-1-58430-276-6 $18.95

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Richard Waldrep. Crowe's respectful picture book biography brings to light a seminal figure in the history of surfing and Olympic swimming. She chooses not to make racism the focus of Duke's story but shows through understatement the emotional impact discrimination had on the native Hawaiian swimmer. Waldrep's paintings convey both dignity and dynamism, with ocean scenes hurtling from pages awash in sunlight. Timeline.

Reviewer: J.D. Ho | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2007