Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics

June 1, 2017
The true story of an exceptional athlete and a unique competition. Active from an early age, Lucile "Ludy" Godbold runs and swings from tree branches and plays tug of war with her dogs. "Six feet tall and skinnier than a Carolina pine," the young white woman enters Winthrop College in 1918. Always on an athletic field, she uses her extra-long arms to cheer on teammates. In her last year on the track team, she tries the shot put, setting a record at over 35 feet. Ludy and her coach immediately hop on a train to New York, where tryouts are being held for a new international meet called the Women's Olympics, an independent competition. In Ludy's tryout, she breaks her own record and earns her spot, though she fears that lack of funds will keep her home. But one day, the college president intercepts her as she's running by and tells her that the students and faculty have raised what's necessary to send her to France, where this new competition's being held--and where she clobbers her own previous world record. Who knew? Patrick's folksy account is crisp and packed with facts. Gustavson's evocative illustrations combine oil paintings with gouache on watercolor paper, painting Ludy as a gangly beanpole with an enormously expressive face. Backmatter includes more on Ludy's life and the Women's Olympics as well as period photos. Fascinating. (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

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July 1, 2017

Gr 2-4-"No one really knows how Ludy's arms got so long," begins the story of the tall and long-limbed Lucille "Ludy" Godbold, whose physical build led to a successful stint as a shot-putter. At Winthrop College in South Carolina, Godbold's track coach suggested she try the shot put. Godbold enjoyed and excelled at the sport and made the U.S. Women's Olympic team in 1922. However, when she lacked the funds to travel to France, college staff and students donated money so she could go. Godbold traveled to Paris and took home the gold. Folksy, descriptive text, which includes regional colloquialisms, will entertain readers. The acrylic illustrations are energetic, and the palette and style of dress of the depicted individuals are appropriate for the time period. Godbold's arms are often shown extended in activity, making them appear even longer. Most drawings fill a single page, with text and smaller inset pictures on the facing page. Full spreads are devoted to big events, such as Godbold winning the gold. Though stylized, Gustavson's artwork deftly captures Godbold's likeness. More information about the athlete and the Women's Olympics, an author's note, and a couple of black-and-white pictures are appended. VERDICT A charming, down-home introduction to a female athlete, and a great addition to any public or school library. -Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2017
Grades 1-3 In 1917, tall, lanky Ludy Godbold leaves her home in rural South Carolina for college, where she excels on the track team. A swift runner, she also sets an American record for shot put. This victory earns her a cherished place on the U.S. team traveling to Paris for the 1922 Women's Olympics. With financial support from students and faculty, she sails to France. Though she worries about having the skills to be competitive, Ludy sets a new world record in women's shot put. The narration works hard to achieve a folksy Southern charm that's sometimes effective here ( she was six feet tall and skinnier than a Carolina pine ), but often overdone, particularly in the constant, repetitive dropping of final g's ( All that liftin' and runnin' and squattin' paid off ). Gustavson's impressive artwork includes large oil paintings as well as spot illustrations in gouache. The beautifully composed pictures create a strong sense of Ludy's personality and emotions, while providing a period context for her story. A handsome introduction to a little-known American athlete.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)