From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-This collective biography profiles four Canadian athletes (Bobbie Rosenfeld, Sandra Schmirler, Chantal Petitclerc, and Hayley Wickenheiser), four Americans (Annie Smith Peck, Julie Krone, and Venus and Serena Williams), one Australian (Cathy Freeman), and an Olympic contender from China (Chen Lu). The sports that are highlighted include: mountain climbing, track and field, curling, wheelchair racing, ice hockey, ice skating, horse racing, and tennis. The four- to six-page sketches present brief information on each athlete's childhood, family, goals, and achievements within her sport. The profiles have from one to three small black-and-white photographs and some interesting sidebars. A limited but acceptable addition.
Diane Olivo-Posner, Long Beach Public Library, CACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Reviewed with Sharon and Florence Kirshes'
Fabulous Female Physicians.
Gr. 4-8. These two entries in the Women's Hall of Fame series offer short portraits of accomplished women in sports and medicine. Bryant's book profiles 10 athletes, from mountain climber Annie Smith Peck to tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, many of whom succeeded in sports previously dominated by men. All the women except two are from North America. The Kirshes' book is broader in scope, including physicians from around the globe. For the most part, these doctors served specialized populations or handled the treatment of women in communities where cultural taboos kept women away from traditional medical care. With the exception of Maria Montessori and, possibly, Susan LaFlesche Picotte, most will not be familiar to American children. Both titles feature short chapters, black-and-white photos, lists of sources (many of them Web-based) and photo credits, making them solid choices for career units or report writers. Neither book has an index. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
