(2) 4-6 Color by Ronda Pattinson. This graphic novel celebrates the contributions of women throughout automotive history, along with providing a critique of the industry's persistent sexist practices. A prologue set in 1962 begins at an amateur car race with the skillful real-life driver Janet Guthrie. While respected by some of her peers, many others express a combination of anger, humiliation, and jealousy over her success. The story then shifts to 2019 New Hampshire, where (fictional) twelve-year-old Alexandra is similarly passionate about cars. Alex discovers a treasure trove of cars at her recently deceased grandfather's country home; however, her single father is unsupportive of her interest. Alex experiences highs and lows while working to restore a vintage Jaguar: the support of a local librarian; comments on her appearance and questioning of her knowledge. Throughout, Janet's life and career as a groundbreaking female racecar driver (somewhat coincidentally) intertwine with Alex's experiences, culminating in a multigenerational meet-up, complete with surprise appearance by Alex's favorite female YouTube mechanic. Copeland's streamlined art features a doodle-y thin black line and flat colors with minimal shading. Constantly shifting page layouts, from traditional panels to epistolary interludes to exciting (and coherent) race sequences, result in strong visual storytelling. An author's note separates fact from fiction and reminds readers that "girls can stand on the shoulders of those who came before them only if they know their stories."

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Toni “Tomboy” Stone (1921-1996) loved baseball, but her parents, teammates, and coaches didn't think a girl, especially a Black girl, should play. Thanks to her tremendous athleticism and determination, she rose through the ranks to play with two Negro League teams and became the first woman to play professional baseball. The digital illustrations are most effective when portraying baseball action. The author’s note and extensive timeline provide important historical context to Stone’s achievements, which are not widely known.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael G. Long. This inspiring biography of Rudolph (1940–1994), the three-time Olympic gold medalist in track, centers on her work as a civil rights activist. After her Olympic success, she traveled throughout Europe and discovered life was different: "In America, they push me around because I'm a Negro. Here in Europe, they pushed me to the front." In Athens at the beaches, all races could swim together; in London any person could sit anywhere on a bus; in Berlin everyone ate together in restaurants. But back home, the community pool did not allow Black people to swim in it; restaurants would not serve Black people; and Black people could only ride in the back of city buses. When the leaders of Rudolph's hometown of Clarksville, Mississippi, planned a celebration honoring her, she refused to attend until Black people could participate in the activities. Facing objections, she persisted and, at least for that day, Clarksville desegregated to honor its hometown celebrity. Davis and Long's inviting text realistically portrays the subject's athletic prowess and her determined commitment to racial equality. Barlow's inventive collages of hand-painted cut paper and various mixed media are well matched to the narrative and wonderfully capture Rudolph's essence. Back matter includes an author's note that provides more information about Rudolph's advocacy and how her early life was shaped by segregation.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amanda Quartey. Anti-Black racism limited Althea Gibson’s professional tennis career in the United States, and antisemitism held back Angela Buxton in the UK. The two befriended each other during a tournament in Asia, and they eventually became doubles partners, winning Wimbledon and what is now known as the French Open in 1956. Dubbin uses child-friendly language to explain the discrimination both women faced. Cartoon-like illustrations accompany the straightforward prose. An author’s note and photographs of the women are appended.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton

(2) YA Illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui. Like Tavares's Hoops (rev. 3/23), this inspiring graphic novel is based on a real-life girls' basketball team -- here, on the all-Muslim, all-hijab-wearing Salam School's 2018 2019 varsity team. Ninth grader Aliya has just moved from Tampa to Milwaukee and is finding the transition to a new city, climate, and much-larger school challenging. She joins Peace Academy's basketball team despite its reputation as being "pretty bad." With nuance, humor, and depth, Khan conveys Aliya's experiences as the team at first falters and then begins to win under the leadership of new coach Jessica Martinez. Coach Jess teaches the girls skills and teamwork, and the girls educate their (very respectful) coach about Islamic culture. It's not all rosy for Aliya: her co-captain is initially reluctant to share the spotlight; her grades suffer; and she focuses too much on her mistakes. At tournament time, the team is unfairly seeded last and must play the top team, but despite losing that game, they celebrate how far they've come. The team's story has attracted much media coverage, and the book ends with a proud Coach Jess stating on a Bleacher Report–like TV segment that the girls "shifted the conversation and what people think an all-Muslim team can be." Zerrougui's visual storytelling is highly readable and makes excellent use of varied panel sizes and placements to convey character, setting, and b-ball action alike.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Jay. Perseverance and a willingness to try new things win the day in this lively picture-book biography. Latvian Jewish immigrant Annie Cohen Kopchovsky (1870–1947) is a hard worker with a determined spirit, and when she sees an advertisement that the first woman to bicycle around the world in fifteen months will win ten thousand dollars, she immediately signs up for cycling lessons. Despite never having ridden a bicycle before, Annie (now with a new last name given to her by an advertiser) soon starts a grueling journey from Boston with many setbacks, from injury to thievery to overzealous customs officials. She builds support wherever she goes by connecting with other cyclists, completes her journey in the allotted time, and begins her new life as a celebrity journalist championing women's independence. Kirkfield's text picks up on attention-grabbing details, such as the single pair of underwear that is the only thing in Annie's pocket as she begins her ride, and keeps the story focused with a repeated chorus of "Pedal. Balance. Steer!" That refrain is often worked into the illustrations, the words winding beside Annie's bicycle in Jay's characteristic flat oil paintings with a crackled varnish that adds to the sense of history. Direct quotes are often included in speech bubbles in a cursive text (which can be difficult to decode). Back matter includes an author's note with more information on Kopchovsky, the history of biking and of women riding bikes, a timeline, and an extensive bibliography.

Reviewer: Laura Koenig | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro. This picture-book biography introduces readers to an extraordinary Indigenous ultramarathoner. Ramírez, born in 1995, is "a proud daughter of the Rarámuri," a tribe from a remote region of Chihuahua in Mexico. Known as the "light-footed people" for their proclivity for endurance running, their abilities are forged by necessity as they travel long distances for food and supplies. Ramírez's experiences navigating rivers and trekking across deserts have trained her to endure many difficult courses and climates. Pride in her heritage is encapsulated in the image of her running in huaraches and a long woven skirt, swiftly leaving behind others wearing "fancy gear and gadgets." Medina's rhythmic text is punctuated with onomatopoeia and emphasizes Ramírez's connection to the Rarámuri traditions, including the traditional pinole drink (made of ground corn and spices, as explained in the back matter) that sustains her. Also incorporated are glimpses of Ramírez's daily life, describing how she is strengthened by her family and her community and how she "draws energy from the earth" itself. Castro's richly colored digital images depict the flora and fauna of the desert terrain and feature floral motifs that surround Ramírez like a cloud of energy. The back matter includes a list of sources and more about Ramírez's accomplishments, daily life for the Rarámuri, and how running marathons supports their community.

Reviewer: Jessica Agudelo | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(1) YA In tracing the battle for equal pay and equal treatment waged by the United States Women's National Team against the U.S. Soccer Federation, Rusch (The 21: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change, rev. 11/23) pulls off quite a feat: she keeps readers riveted by edge-of-their-seats descriptions of individual World Cup and Olympic games while educating them about gender bias, Title IX, the effects of concussion, contract negotiations, grass versus turf fields, class action lawsuits, and more. The book proceeds chronologically, from the Women's National Team's 1985 creation (with players like Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm, who were told that it was enough just to play for their country); through 1999 when the team won the World Cup (notorious for Brandi Chastain's post-win sports-bra celebration) but the women made about $15,000 apiece; to the early 2000s with the entry of players like Abby Wambaugh, Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan, fierce fighters both on and off the pitch; and ultimately to 2022 when, after protracted and brave efforts, pay parity between the men's and women's national teams was finally achieved. For such a thorough and comprehensive account, the telling is remarkably lively, peppered throughout with (uncensored) quotes and memorable descriptions (Rapinoe is the "firecracker forward with pink-dyed hair") and filled with drama, sheroes, and villains; even granular descriptions of legal proceedings are compelling. Impressive front and back matter include a list of major characters, a diagram of a soccer field outlining basic positions, an extensive bibliography, and twenty-six pages of source notes. Index unseen.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(1) 4-6 Brinkley Yearbooks series. This addition to the Brinkley Yearbooks graphic novel series (Picture Day, rev. 9/23) stands on its own. Alexandra Olsen -- or Al -- loves baseball. Her middle school's team has won nine back-to-back championships, and they are shooting for a "full decade of baseball dominance." With encouragement from the new coach, Al tries out and makes the cut; she becomes the only girl on the team. When the school's attention-obsessed athletic director calls in a news crew to report on the gender-inclusive baseball season, Al's teammates end up resenting her for hogging the spotlight despite her best efforts to share it. Meanwhile, the school's girls' basketball team is crushing it on the court, but their record-setting season is all but ignored. As Al tries to rebuild teamwork and trust on and off the field, her best friends are also branching out, joining the art club and resurrecting a retired school mascot (a goose called "The Brinkley Beak"). These friends are part of Al's stellar support system, which buoys her spirits as she reclaims and reframes her story. With bold black outlines, striking color work, and dynamic layouts, the art adds further depth to the well-paced plot, memorable characters, and well-realized setting. In one impressively delineated scene, characters converse clearly while playing a chaotic game of dodgeball. Rollicking and tender, this comic knocks it out of the park.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu. Chaffee gets the ball rolling with a quick sketch of soccer icon Abby Wambach's childhood as the last-born in a competitive, seven-sibling-strong family. After riding the highs and lows of youth soccer league and high school soccer, Abby is noticed by college scouts and trains relentlessly to land a spot on the U.S. National Soccer Team. The fast-moving account of her subsequent historic career presents her as a team leader and class act on and off the field. A refrain -- "But Abby was tougher" -- emphasizes the pluck and mettle that helped her surmount defeats, self-doubt, and a major injury. In the vector-like illustrations, a color motif of coruscating pinks reconciles femininity and athleticism. Back matter includes a run-through of Wambach's professional milestones and a glossary of soccer terminology.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(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) K-3 Illustrated by Martina Peluso. Rena "Rusty" Glickman Kanokogi (1935–2009) grew up in a cramped and noisy Coney Island apartment where "not even Shabbat brought quiet." Brash and strong, she was considered "unladylike" and a judo class was the first place she felt she fit in. As her skills developed, however, she faced barriers as a woman: e.g., she won a YMCA championship while disguised as a man but had her medal rescinded when an official saw through the ruse. The straightforward text focuses on her obsession with the sport (she practiced on subway platforms and took down "unsuspecting trash cans") and on her persistence and advocacy, including being the first woman to study at Japan's Kodokan and helping to establish women's judo as an Olympic event. Illustration layouts vary, with many of the more dynamic ones being vignettes of Glickman practicing judo moves. An author's note gives a bit more background, especially about Glickman's later life. A welcome addition to the growing canon of picture-book biographies amplifying lesser-known women, with added sports appeal.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(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