The New York Times Book Review - Carvell Wallace
Sheinkin has made a career of finding extraordinary stories in American history, researching them exhaustively and recounting them at a nimble pace for readers aged 10 and up…It's hard to know which of Thorpe's exploits are accurately remembered and which have become embellished into tall tales over time, but for the modern young reader, Sheinkin's telling holds the kind of hearty inspiration that Old West tales used to nurture in the kids of earlier eras. Thorpe's greatness may be aspirational, but Sheinkin's brisk and forthright delivery makes it seem entirely possible.
From the Publisher
Sheinkin has made a career of finding extraordinary stories in American history, researching them exhaustively and recounting them at a nimble pace for readers aged 10 and up . . . Thorpe's greatness may be aspirational, but Sheinkin's brisk and forthright delivery makes it seem entirely possible.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Along with Thorpe's fascinating personal story, Sheinkin offers a thought-provoking narrative about the evolution of football and the development of boarding schools such as the Carlisle Indian School.” —The Washington Post
“Sheinkin has created a rich, complex narrative that balances the institutionalized bigotry and racism of the times with the human-interest stories that are often overshadowed by or lost to history . . . A thoroughly engrossing and extensively researched examination of football’s first 'all-American.' Highly recommended for U.S. history collections.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“A model of research and documentation as well as of stylish writing that tells an always absorbing story.” —Booklist, starred review
“A gifted storyteller who never forgets the story in history. He is unflinchingly honest in pointing out the racism in white American culture at large and in football culture . . . bringing the story directly to modern readers. Superb nonfiction that will entertain as it informs.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Brief, action-packed chapters evince Sheinkin’s consistently multilayered approach, as he connects various subplots . . . and uses genuine cliffhangers for a propulsive reading experience.” —Horn Book, starred review
“With contagious excitement, Sheinkin enthralls . . . [and] compels readers to learn, admire and bear witness to the 'world's greatest athlete.'” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
“A new work of nonfiction as riveting as any historical novel you are likely to read this year.” —Book Page
Most Dangerous:
“Easily the best study of the Vietnam War available for teen readers.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
The Port Chicago 50:
“Sheinkin delivers another meticulously researched WWII story.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
Bomb:
“This is edge-of-the-seat material.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review
The Notorious Benedict Arnold:
“American history is brought to life in this engaging story of revolution and treason.” —School Library Journal, starred review
School Library Journal
★ 02/01/2017
Gr 6 Up—Proclaimed "the greatest all-around athlete in the world" by legendary football coach Glenn "Pop" Warner, Jim Thorpe dominated sports in the early 1900s. His natural athleticism, in tandem with Warner's innovative coaching style, helped establish the Carlisle Indian Industrial School's football program as one of the nation's best, eclipsing perennial gridiron powerhouses Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Despite the fame and attention Carlisle received because of its winning team, a stark reality existed: the cultures of these same young men were being systematically eradicated by the school (e.g., prohibiting students from speaking Native languages, forcing them to cut their hair). Operating under the premise that the "Indian problem" could be solved by stripping students of their cultural identities, Carlisle founder and superintendent Richard Henry Pratt, a U.S. Army captain, vowed to "Kill the Indian; Save the Man" through any means necessary. Sheinkin has created a rich, complex narrative that balances the institutionalized bigotry and racism of the times with the human-interest stories that are often overshadowed by or lost to history. Within this framework, he brings to life the complicated, sometimes contentious relationship between a coach and a star athlete, their rise to glory, and the legacies they left behind. VERDICT A thoroughly engrossing and extensively researched examination of football's first "all-American." Highly recommended for U.S. history collections.—Audrey Sumser, Kent State University at Tuscarawas, New Philadelphia, OH
FEBRUARY 2017 - AudioFile
Narrator Mark Bramhall delivers this historical account of Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School football team. His steady delivery and intense tone will make listeners feel like they’re part of every game. Bramhall expertly portrays the brash coach “Pop” Warner as he works to build the passion of his players to create a stronger team. Listeners will cheer for the Native American team and for Thorpe as they prove their greatness by defeating some of the best college teams of their time. This story of sports underdogs describes the struggles and triumphs of these resilient football players. M.D. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2016-10-26
Young readers of this biography may be surprised that Jim Thorpe, an athlete they may never have heard of, was once considered "the best athlete on the planet." Most students at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania were shocked by the treatment they received under superintendent Richard Henry Pratt, who believed white American culture was superior and to "help" his students meant to "kill the Indian in him, and save the man." New students were given new names, new clothes, and haircuts and were allowed to speak English only. It was a harsh, alien world, and only a small percentage of students ever graduated. The child of a Sac and Fox/Irish father and Potawatomi/French-Canadian mother, Jim Thorpe grew up in a mix of white and Indian culture and was better prepared than many when he entered Carlisle at the age of 15. Sheinkin weaves complicated threads of history—the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the story of Carlisle, the early days of football, and the dual biographies of Thorpe and his coach Pop Warner—with the narrative skills of a gifted storyteller who never forgets the story in history. He is unflinchingly honest in pointing out the racism in white American culture at large and in football culture, including headlines in the newspapers ("INDIANS OUT TO SCALP THE CADETS"), preferential officiating, and war whoops from the stands. Sheinkin easily draws a parallel in the persisting racism in the names of current football teams, such as the Braves and Redskins, bringing the story directly to modern readers. Superb nonfiction that will entertain as it informs. (source notes, works cited, acknowledgments, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16)
