Girls with Guts!

March 15, 2019
Girls in sports!This cheerfully illustrated survey of efforts to make women's athletics socially acceptable and financially supported provides snippets of information and visually appealing portrayals of female barrier-breakers over time. The tone is a bit naïve--it assumes that readers will be shocked by the sexism of yesteryear--and arbitrary-feeling italicized phrases ("And never, ever sweat"; "Game on!") interrupt the flow of the text. It's light on diversity: While ancient and modern Greece (1896 Olympic marathoner Melpomene) are mentioned, the focus is almost entirely on white Americans (Frances Willard, Senda Berenson Abbot, Eleanora Sears, Gertrude Ederle, Margaret Gisolo, Donna de Varona, Maria Pepe), with only brief mentions of women of color Althea Gibson, Shirley Chisholm, and Patsy Mink--although African-American athletes are featured in the timeline, and a multiracial cast of girls are shown in sports today. The somewhat simplified ending holds that through Title IX, girls now receive equal treatment in athletics, ignoring the world outside of the United States as well as the fact that boys' sports may still receive preference within it. Still, there is nothing similar for this age group, and readers will be interested in the progress of women in sports and drawn in by the excitement of the passage of Title IX.A welcome, though flawed, introduction to the history of girls and athletics. (Informational picture book. 5-8)

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March 25, 2019
In this uplifting tribute to gutsy athletes, Gonzales introduces little-known figures who competed even when told not to. Melpomene, a marathon runner, ran “alongside the men,” then “around the entire stadium,” at the 1896 Olympic Games, and Gertrude Ederle swam the English Channel in 1926. Also included is Congresswoman Edith Green, whose campaign against “athletic injustice” led to the 1972 passing of Title IX, which mandates “equal treatment for competitive girls.” Gibbon’s paintings feature lanky athletes wearing self-assured expressions and dressed in the often-restrictive attire of their eras. Gonzales suggests that it is important to honor the brave athletes who made it possible for girls and women today to “stomp, jab, tackle, grind, and SWEAT.” Back matter includes a detailed timeline of milestones for female athletes. Ages 6–9.

May 1, 2019

Gr 1-4-In 2019, young girls look up to athletes like Olympic-medalist Simone Biles and the record-breaking Serena Williams as role models. But not that long ago, women athletes were excluded from many sports; if one goes further back in history, they were not allowed to compete at all. Gonzales highlights the achievements of women athletes who broke down the gender barriers. Starting with the first Olympic Games and bringing readers to the present day, the author creates a narrative using a time line of women in sports. Many well-known women athletes are highlighted such as tennis player Althea Gibson and Olympic swimmer Donna de Varona, in addition to many lesser-known names. The author also discusses Title IX, the legislation that mandated equal treatment for all women athletes. Gonzales adds information about the key congresswomen and other advocates who fought for the ratification of the legislation. Back matter includes a formal time line and an extensive bibliography. VERDICT A great addition to any collection highlighting unknown women athletes and also explains the important legislation of Title IX for a young audience.-Erin Olsen, Hunter College Elementary School, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2019
Grades 1-3 Gonzales describes the days when girls were discouraged from participating in sports, then introduces women who challenged society's narrow expectations regarding girls' athletics. After early nods to women excluded from the ancient and early modern Olympics, the text introduces a series of American women in sports, such as Gertrude Ederle swimming the English Channel in 1926 and Althea Gibson winning the French Open tennis tournament in 1956. Meanwhile, women marched for equal rights and congresswomen worked for new laws, culminating in Title IX, which created a more level playing field for girls and women in school sports. While the historical section of the text might challenge primary-grade children at times, a very accessible illustrated page opens and closes the book with these encouraging words, Look at you . . . springing, / kicking, / dribbling / and pitching it down the pike. / Girl, you are amazing! Created with acrylic, ink, and colored pencils, the stylized artwork defines each historical period and maintains a buoyant tone throughout the book. A colorful, historical introduction to American women in sports.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)