Jesse Owens

February 1, 2011
Grades 6-8 From the African-American Biography Library series, this book opens with Jesse Owens celebrated victory in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, when he triumphed in the 100-meter dash and Hitler refused to congratulate him. In a more nuanced historical account than many books offer, Burlingame looks at different interpretations of the days events and comments on how Owens own account changed over time. He also makes clear that the runner did not leave racism behind when he left Hitlers Germany but encountered it repeatedly in the U.S. as well. After the dramatic opening chapter, the book offers a chronological account of Owens life, covering his sickly childhood in rural Alabama, his familys move to Cleveland, his training as a runner, and his sometimes difficult life after retiring from sports. On every page, color brightens the headings, backgrounds, bordered photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes. Back matter includes a chronology, chapter notes for the many quotes, and lists of books and websites for further reading. An engaging biography of a significant American athlete.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)