A spirited picture book biography about Althea Gibson, the first black Wimbledon, French, and U.S. Open tennis champion, from debut author Megan Reid and Coretta Scott King Honor-winning illustrator Laura Freeman. Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl chronicles this trailblazing athlete's journey--and the talent, force of spirit, and energy that made it possible for her to break barriers and ascend to the top of the tennis world.

Althea Gibson was the quickest, tallest, most fearless athlete in 1940s Harlem. She couldn't sit still When she put her mind to it, the fleet-of-foot girl reigned supreme at every sport--stickball with the boys, basketball with the girls, paddle tennis with anyone who would hit with her.

But being the quickest, tallest, most fearless player in Harlem wasn't enough for Althea. She knew she could be a tennis champion.

Because of segregation, black people weren't allowed to compete against white people in sports. Althea didn't care. She just wanted to play tennis against the best athletes in the world. And with skill and determination, she did just that, eventually becoming the first black person--man or woman--to win a trophy at Wimbledon.

Share this nonfiction picture book biography with young readers interested in sports, American history, and African American pioneers. A strong choice for the classroom and for homeschooling.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Published: 01/21/2020
ISBN: 9780062851093
Pages: 40
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 11.20h x 8.80w x 0.30d

Review Citations: Booklist 11/15/2019 pg. 43
Publishers Weekly 11/18/2019
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2019
School Library Journal 12/01/2019 pg. 99
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2019

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 506685 / Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-Of-Foot Girl
Reading Level: 4.4 / Interest Level: Lower Grade / Point Value: 0.5