(2) K-3 Illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura. In this accessible and engaging picture-book biography, Bryant (Feed Your Mind, rev. 1/20; Above the Rim, rev. 11/20) focuses on the ways groundbreaking Japanese American legislator from Hawaii Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927–2002) overcame setbacks in her life and career. Early on, Bryant invokes the Japanese saying "Fall down seven times, stand up eight," explaining that it means "never give up!" She repeats this refrain throughout the book, applying it to the many hurdles Mink faced--as a college student fighting segregation, an aspiring doctor denied entrance to medical schools, the only woman in her law school class, and the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress. The climax of the narrative comes as Mink fights to ensure that her signature legislation, Title IX, will protect the rights of female athletes. Bryant's clear prose draws a distinct line from Mink's childhood precociousness and fortitude to her adult accomplishments. In doing so, she renders a somewhat abstruse concept (education legislation) engaging to her target audience. Nakamura's digital illustrations complement the text, with finely drawn facial expressions underlining the emotional impact of the historical events. The art also expands on the text; one illustration contrasts a boys' well-funded basketball team with a girls' team playing in a makeshift space. Back matter includes a timeline of Mink's life, a selected biography, and sources for direct quotes.

Reviewer: K Rachael Stein | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by David Wilson. In this engaging graphic memoir, protagonist Misty is a fierce competitor who loves football: it combines strategy, teamwork, and tackling ("In other sports, I get in trouble for barely touching people!"). So when she finds out the summer before seventh grade that there's a town youth football league, she signs up. She persuades her best (and only) friend, Bree, to sign up with her; but as Misty throws herself into conditioning and acquiring skills despite the scorn of her male teammates, it soon becomes clear that Bree is more interested in clothes, hanging out at the pool, and a new friendship with a cool, popular girl. Misty's coach's statement that "football is all about getting knocked down and getting back up again" serves as the central metaphor for the book as middle school brings the pain of Bree's betrayal, the humiliation of trying unsuccessfully to fit in, and an imposed-from-without dissatisfaction with her appearance, among other challenges. Cleanly laid-out panels make for accessible reading, and the book does an excellent job of folding the football story line (including plenty of play-by-play game-time action) into that of Misty's life struggles. Readers will cheer as Misty eventually makes new, true friends; wins the acceptance of (most of) her football teammates; begins to take on a more responsible role in her family; and comes to an empowering conclusion: "I knew one thing for sure: I was done trying to be someone else." Appended with an author's note and a disclaimer about the dangers of playing tackle football.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) K-3 Who Did It First? series. Illustrated by Ebony Glenn. "They were two of the strongest and most successful athletes in the world, but they were also Black." This picture book biography follows the Williams sisters' careers, from childhood training to the tournament circuit to world championships. The admiring text and digital illustrations both emphasize the sisters' close relationship, even as rivals on the tennis court. Together, the Williams sisters faced challenges, including a family tragedy and overt racism, head on. A suggested reading list, timeline, and list of sources are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Erika Medina. After seeing a skateboard for the first time, young Patti McGee makes her own board (with wheels from her roller skates) and starts "ZIP! SWISH! ZOOM!"-ing around town. Eventually, she earns a spot on an all-boys team and wins the first national championship (in the girls' division, which the text doesn't specify). The upbeat text emphasizes McGee's devotion and dedication: "It wasn't easy. Her arms ached and her knuckles bled." The illustrations in sun-bleached colors emphasize the athleticism and artistry of the sport. An endnote brings readers up to speed on McGee's current activities; an author's note sets the story's time (early 1960s) and place (San Diego) and adds details about McGee's early career. A list of sources is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sophie Diao. Tsui's picture-book debut introduces young readers to Sarah Gerhardt, a pioneering figure in modern women's surfing. The text opens in 1999 with Gerhardt facing her first massive ­Mavericks wave (so named for the waves' location, a surf break in ­Northern ­California) and then jumps back in time to her childhood in Hawaii when women were not encouraged to surf, and surfing equipment for girls was not even available. The text is mostly very immediate and focused on Gerhardt's feelings and experiences, but it does take several digressions to give information on wave formation and size. Diao's expansive, breathtaking art is the showstopper here, with several spreads and one spectacular gatefold giving readers an idea of the size of the waves Gerhardt is surfing. The ocean in the illustrations shifts from glass green and inviting to stormy and intimidating, making the waves almost their own personified character. The timeline of women in surfing history is the only back matter; readers may find themselves left with unanswered questions and looking for more information about Gerhardt's feats.

Reviewer: Laura Koenig | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(3) K-3 Little People, Big Dreams series. Illustrated by Paulina Morgan. Soccer phenom Rapinoe was always most at home on the field and in the game. This series entry follows Rapinoe as she and her twin sister play the sport growing up and win college scholarships. From there, Rapinoe--now with her distinctive purple hair--begins her ascent, collecting World Cup and Olympic wins. Vegara mentions Rapinoe's coming-out announcement before the London Olympics and her wish to "be an example for other gay athletes." The stylized cartoon illustrations should help draw readers to the story. Back matter includes four photos, a simple timeline, additional information, and two recommended books.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sarah Green. This collective biography introduces a diverse group of both well-known (Simone Biles, Abby Wambach, Wilma Rudolph) and less-well-known women athletes from a notably wide range of sports and other physical disciplines, including softball, swimming, cycling, wheelchair racing, football, and ballet. The three-page profiles follow the same format: full-page action illustration, a page of some "Amazing Facts and Unbelievable Stats," and a one-page overview of career highlights, personal and professional challenges, and causes championed off the field/mat/ice/etc. Readers will be inspired to learn more; two pages of selected sources are appended as is an index.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 She Persisted series. Illustrated by Gillian Flint. When Joyner faced a (figurative) hurdle in life, she "remembered her mother's words: 'Move on.' And she did." One of eleven siblings, Joyner grew up in LA in a Watts housing project; from the start, the future track star and style iconoclast worked hard and focused on her Olympic dreams. Novelist Williams-Garcia's engaging text covers Joyner's career highlights as well as the obstacles she faced in becoming an Olympic champion. As with previous entries in this chapter-book biography series, short chapters are broken up by friendly black-and-white illustrations. Williams-Garcia concludes her narrative with eight "ideas to encourage your own self-expression and your personal quest to excel." An extensive list of sources is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by George Doutsiopoulos. Mamie Johnson was "the first female pitcher in professional baseball" in 1953. She faced discrimination because of gender (male players "grumbled about sharing the field with her"), size ("you're not as big as a peanut"), and race ("the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League wasn't ready to give black women the opportunity to try"). Though the illustrations can be stiff and cartoony, Johnson's determination and confidence shine. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Groundbreaking tennis player Althea Gibson (1927–2003) had an outsize personality and talent to match. From playing stickball in Harlem to becoming the first African American Wimbledon champion, the book covers her perseverance (despite a quick temper and daunting racial discrimination) and eventual triumphs. A concise, clear text tells Gibson's story with verve and immediacy. Digital illustrations add color, drama, and energy. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) 4-6 Super Soccer series. Men's and women's soccer fans should enjoy the variety of topics covered (in a somewhat cursory way) in this series with examples spanning the sport's history; however, the World Cup Heroes title is misleading since the examples are all men. Five brief, accessible, sports-action-packed chapters in each volume, with accompanying clear photos and occasional brief sidebars, should grab fans' attention. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review coveres these Super Soccer titles: Champion League Legends, Great Moments in Olympic Soccer, Women's World Cup Heroes, US Men's Professional Soccer, US Women's Professional Soccer, and World Cup Heroes.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ellen Rooney. This stirring picture-book biography introduces Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with an official race number (having registered as "K. V. Switzer"). During the race, officials tried to block her path, but she evaded them and continued, determined to show that "women deserve to run too." Throughout the text, Chaffee repeats the sound of running feet ("Pat, Pat, Pat"), setting the pace and building momentum. Rooney's mixed-media collage illustrations add emotional depth and effectively use perspective. An author's note adds further biographical and historical details. Bib.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: They Survived series. In clear, vivid texts, these series entries tell the true stories of two courageous individuals: surfer Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack, and professional climber Ralston, who amputated his own hand to escape being trapped in a canyon. Both books rely on photographs from their movie versions, clearly noted in the captions, and include tips on dealing with deadly situations. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: They Survived titles: Surviving a Canyon and Surviving a Shark Attack

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) 4-6 Super Soccer series. Men's and women's soccer fans should enjoy the variety of topics covered (in a somewhat cursory way) in this series with examples spanning the sport's history; however, the World Cup Heroes title is misleading since the examples are all men. Five brief, accessible, sports-action-packed chapters in each volume, with accompanying clear photos and occasional brief sidebars, should grab fans' attention. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review coveres these Super Soccer titles: Champion League Legends, Great Moments in Olympic Soccer, Women's World Cup Heroes, US Men's Professional Soccer, US Women's Professional Soccer, and World Cup Heroes.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Epic Athletes series. Illustrated by Cory Thomas. U.S. women's soccer player Morgan and pro-basketball guard Curry are featured in these fast-paced profiles. Wetzel effectively connects each star's innate skills, clutch play, and hard work with their character strengths and life stories. Wetzel's game-action accounts mix play-by-play sportscasting with color commentating. Quotes (unfortunately undocumented) and comic-style black-and-white illustrations (including a final twelve-page, action-packed "instant replay" game highlight) appear throughout the books. Review covers these Epic Athletes titles: Alex Morgan and Stephen Curry.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Written with her customary succinct text and illustrated with simple yet eloquent acrylics, Winter recounts the Williams sisters' tennis careers, from childhood practices in Compton, California, to international championships. It is clear that their paths have not been easy, and the sustenance of their sororal bond is appropriately invoked and celebrated in this tribute. Bib.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. More of an inspirational piece than a straightforward biography, this picture book relates the difficult early years through the Williams sisters' rise to tennis fame and their ensuing setbacks. Themes of hard work, perseverance, and family loyalty are emphasized throughout Bryant's text, which includes occasional (unsourced) quotations. Cooper's trademark subtractive illustrations are full of life, emotion, and character.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans series. Using short, simple sentences and engaging photos, this early-reader biography introduces the Chinese American figure skater. Key moments in Kwan's professional life are covered briefly and chronologically, accompanied by a cumulative timeline. Ample white space around the text and large pictures make for an attractive and supportive layout for new readers. This series fills a gap for children's biographies about Asian Americans. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(1) K-3 Illustrated by James E. Ransome. The wife-and-husband team celebrates tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, focusing on their formative childhoods and the way their preparation and talent fundamentally changed the game. As Cline-Ransome's chronological account progresses, the sisters are positioned farther apart, eventually on opposite sides of the net, in Ransome's illustrations. A final spread, showing them holding hands after Serena bested Venus in the 2002 French Open, communicates the sisters' ultimate devotion to each other. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(3) YA With Sarah Durand. WNBA player and Olympic Gold Medalist Delle Donne's lively, honest, and inspiring memoir discusses the many challenges she faced (notably chronic, painful Lyme disease) on her journey to basketball stardom. Written in an engaging, conversational voice, Delle Donne's account mixes lots of basketball action with moving descriptions of her supportive family and her struggle to re-develop a love of basketball after burning out.

Reviewer: Jack Forman