The Quickest Kid in Clarksville

February 8, 2016
In 1960, African-American runner Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in the Olympic Games. In a story about teamwork and determination, Miller (Sharing the Bread) imagines the children Rudolph might have inspired. Alta lives in Rudolph's hometown of Clarksville, Tenn., which will be honoring the runner's victories in an upcoming parade (an author's note explains that the parade was the first major non-segregated event in Clarksville's history). Alta adores Rudolph and considers herself to be Clarksville's fastest kid, until she meets Charmaine, who has a brand-new pair of running shoes and boasts, "I'm faster than anyone." Several one-on-one races later, Charmaine's strutting confidence continues to irk Alta, whose family can't afford new shoes. But the girls overcome their initial prickliness in order to raceâtogetherâto the parade with a celebratory banner in tow. Working in watercolor, Morrison (Little Melba and Her Big Trombone) gives the girls abundant personality as they size one another up with laserlike glares. Miller does the same, narrating from Alta's no-nonsense point of view. Ages 5â8. Author's agent: Erin Murphy Literary Agency, Ammi-Joan Paquette. Illustrator's agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words.

In 1961, African-American Olympic star Wilma Rudolph returned to the segregated town of Clarksville, Tennessee, for a Welcome Home parade. Narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson channels the young Rudolph with all her enthusiasm and confidence. Through the story of the fastest runner in town, Miller shows how the power of a sports icon can inspire members of the next generation to strive for their dreams. Johnson adds a certain bravado to the voice of Charmaine, an interloper who challenges Rudolph's winning record. The back-and-forth between the two girls is as realistic as anything heard on today's playgrounds. Johnson's pacing is perfect for the perusing of the book's exquisite watercolor illustrations but sounds uneven if one is just listening. The author's note adds historical context. N.E.M. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine