(3) K-3 Encounter series. Illustrated by Nick Hardcastle. At age sixteen, American Indian Jim Thorpe was sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. In spite of adversity, he thrived there as a multi-sport athlete, particularly as the 1912 football team's linchpin in beating--against all odds--West Point's Army team. Straightforward, conversational text and meticulous ink and watercolor art reveal the prowess and importance of this extraordinary athlete. Reading list. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(1) YA Although Thorpe is Undefeated's star, other compelling narratives include those about the infamous Carlisle Indian Industrial School and coach Glenn "Pop" Warner. The book identifies discriminatory societal and political factors then dives deep into Carlisle's remarkable football history and the sport's evolution. Sheinkin's multi-layered approach connects various subplots, includes noteworthy cameos, and uses cliffhangers for a propulsive reading experience. Bib., ind.

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

(3) 4-6 Sterling Biographies series. Opinionated yet informative, these latest additions to the series blend anecdotes, quotations, and facts to create engaging portraits of six of America's greatest sports stars. With some of the subject matter overlapping, these biographies focus on their athletes' careers, but also offer insight into the social and political realities of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Photographs and sidebars are incorporated into the reader-friendly designs. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biography titles: Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. Archival photographs, a map, primary sources, and sidebars combine with a dry but informative text to provide a chronological biography of Thorpe, one of the early twentieth century's most talented athletes and famous Native Americans. This is a balanced presentation of Thorpe's strengths, weaknesses, ability to learn from and overcome personal and professional challenges, and his legacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 This eighth sports-themed adventure about Stosh, who can time travel with the help of baseball cards, finds the main character and the school bully seeking out Jim Thorpe in order to warn him about impending scandal. Though the story drags with overexposition, baseball fans will revel in the historical name-dropping and sports action.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 In this fictionalized biography, author Bruchac assumes the voice of Sac and Fox Indian athletic great Jim Thorpe, relating his challenges and achievements in early life. The conversational tone is accessible, and Bruchac's extensive author's note explains that not all the dialogue (and none of the people) is invented. Nevertheless, the conveyance of factual material through imagined first-person observation is awkward in places. Bib.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Illustrated by S. D. Nelson. This conversational picture book biography relates the remarkable story of Native American athlete Jim Thorpe from his early childhood through his teens. Thorpe endured unequal education and subpar living conditions at Indian boarding schools to finally have his astonishing athleticism recognized. The paintings are a little stiff and monotonous. Author's note, chronology.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute