Thrill Seekers

March 1, 2021

Gr 5-8-This collective biography profiles 15 extreme sports female athletes, who have reached the highest levels of competition in their chosen sport. The text highlights three athletes in each of the five sections, which are loosely grouped by the type of activity. The featured sports include wingsuit diving, iceberg diving, parkour, downhill mountain biking, and ultra running. The most prominent athlete profiled is surfer Bethany Hamilton, a white American girl who lost her arm in a shark attack. Hamilton became a top professional. Each chapter describes the women's backgrounds and childhoods, how they discovered their passion, and the significant amount of time they dedicated to achieving their dreams. Interesting sidebars provide brief histories of each sport. Emphasis is also placed on the amount of thought and preparation each woman puts into safety measures. Most of the women have been able to achieve professional-level success; only a few have to hold traditional jobs. However, the text doesn't paint a realistic picture of what's necessary to live this type of life. There's very little mention of the social and financial support systems needed in order to devote one's life to these activities. VERDICT A useful collection of light reading that serves as an introduction to extreme sports; recommended for libraries looking to liven up their sports collections.-Karen Bilton, Franklin Township P.L., NJ

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2021
Presents a passionate panoply of women in extreme sports. The women profiled here come from many walks of life and various career paths--but above all, whether professional athletes or not, they are committed to their sports. Each of the book's five sections focuses on a particular type of sport and contains three profiles of female athletes that generally begin with anecdotal accounts of some pivotal moment in the athlete's career, pan back to cover her early life and the accrual of successes, and end on a positive note promising further adventures to come. Trivia boxes present facts about each sport and its history. Staats includes pursuits readers may be unfamiliar with or less accustomed to seeing women participate in, such as wingsuit flying, parkour, and cold-water diving. The straightforward but effervescent prose allows the women's achievements to take center stage, although the introduction and afterword, insistently uplifting and empowering, add little to the overall narrative and read like bland motivational posters. The trivia, on the other hand, does wonders to demystify activities that might be foreign to teen readers. Helpfully, links to the athletes' social media profiles are included, encouraging community and, importantly, exploration. There is some diversity in ethnicity, nationality, and sexuality among the women profiled. An engaging, energetic, and unabashedly woman-centric adventure. (endnotes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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March 1, 2021
Grades 7-10 The unique journeys and achievements of women athletes who push the limits of their bodies and minds are outlined in individual substantial chapters. Canadian diver Jill Heinerth explores the ice caves of the world's largest iceberg, in Antarctica. Italian BASE jumper Roberta Mancino uses her wingsuit to fly over a Chilean volcano, through skyscrapers of Panama City, and as a stunt performer in Iron Man 3. Sneha Sharma, "India's fastest female," overcomes gender expectations to become a Formula 4 racer. The hard work of practicing and mastering technique is balanced by the thrill of each new experience. Mental strength is key, especially overcoming fear, maintaining focus, and meticulous planning. Some have gone pro, gaining sponsorships, equipment, and world travel. Others are amateurs who find joy in community, like Brittany Leavitt, who joined Brown Girls Climb to meet other outdoor enthusiasts. The biographies are based on original interviews, combined with secondary research. No photographs are included, but social-media handles are. Readers are encouraged to follow mountaineer Angela Hawse's advice: "Follow what makes your heart sing."

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