Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl

by Megan Reid, Laura Freeman (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062851093
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/21/2020
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	315,683
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Megan Reid works in books and television. She’s lived in seven states and two countries, but now she’s happy to be based in New York with her dog, Luna. Meg is also the author of Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis’ Fleet-of-Foot Girl. You can visit her online at www.meganreid.co.

Laura Freeman received her BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and began her career illustrating for various editorial clients. Laura has illustrated many fine children’s books over the years, including Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe, written by Deborah Blumenthal, and the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race, by Margot Lee Shetterly. Laura now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and their two children. Find out more about Laura at www.lfreemanart.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/18/2019

As a child in 1940s Harlem, Althea Gibson “reigned supreme” playing stickball, basketball, and paddle tennis: “If she put her mind to it, Althea was always the best. At everything except sitting still.” In this picture book biography of the tennis legend, Reid emphasizes Gibson’s athleticism and tenacity, tracing her journey from the tennis courts of Harlem’s Cosmopolitan Tennis Club, where she did odd jobs to pay for lessons, to winning titles on the elite grass of Wimbledon despite structural racism and prejudice (due to “laws and white people’s prejudices... black people could play tennis in their own league, but never with white people”). Reid also acknowledges that Gibson “was so eager to prove herself that she wasn’t always kind.” Freeman’s crisp, stylized illustrations distill dramatic moments into kinetic images. Includes an author’s note, a list of important dates in Gibson’s life, and a bibliography. A straightforward tribute to an inspiring athlete. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Reid’s story flows with the grace and power of Gibson herself. The expressive and exuberant digital artwork mirrors the tennis champ’s liveliness.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

"A well-researched winner." — Kirkus Reviews

"A necessary addition to sports collections." — ALA Booklist

From the Publisher

"A necessary addition to sports collections."

ALA Booklist

★ 12/01/2019

PreS-Gr 3—Growing up in Harlem, Althea Gibson lived for the summers. Whether playing stickball, basketball, or paddle tennis, she dominated each game with her athleticism and quick reflexes. At 13, Gibson joined the all-black Cosmopolitan Tennis Club, where she went head to head with adults and became an unbeatable powerhouse. She needed new competitors, but this was the segregated 1940s—Gibson wasn't allowed to play tennis against white athletes in their separate clubs. She played in the all-black American Tennis Association for several years, but she wanted more. She hoped to take on the world and compete in international Grand Slams in Paris, Queens, and Wimbledon. In 1950, she was the first black American to break the color barrier in the U.S. championships. She won international matches and later, the singles title at Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958, making her the first black person (man or woman) ever to win that event. Reid's story flows with the grace and power of Gibson herself. The tennis champion is portrayed as a dedicated, competitive, and clever role model. The author's note, in particular, helps to fully flesh out Gibson's character. The expressive and exuberant digital artwork mirrors the tennis champ's liveliness and determination. VERDICT Gibson's story, richly illustrated and expertly told, is done great justice in this inspiring biography. A first purchase for most collections.—Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI

School Library Journal

2019-10-27
Reid and Freeman celebrate the life of tennis champion Althea Gibson.

Debut author Reid takes readers from 1940s Harlem, where "fleet-of-foot" Althea Gibson is the "quickest, tallest and most fearless athlete," all the way to 1957, when she becomes the first black player to win the championship at Wimbledon. Readers get to see Gibson's development from a young athlete, cocksure, assertive, and focused only on winning, to a considerate sportswoman in a league of her own, paving the way for generations of young tennis players coming after her. Framing transitional moments in Gibson's life in medallions, Freeman's somewhat static illustrations encourage the narrative along, keeping pace with the text. The clever placement of Gibson's form playing tennis on top of maps or with the globe represents the reach of her influence across the U.S. and the world. Other double-page spreads emphasize the enormity of the difficulties, specifically racism, Gibson faced while pursuing her dreams. One levels a "WHITES ONLY" sign on one page ever so slightly below Gibson's determined gaze on the other. An author's note fills in more historical and personal context for Gibson's early and later life, and a timeline of important dates with a short bibliography of recommended texts rounds out the exploration of Gibson's remarkable rise to tennis stardom.

A measured, well-researched winner. (Picture book/biography. 6-12)

Kirkus Reviews