A Drive to Win: The Story of Nancy Lieberman-Cline (Anything You Can Do... New Sports Heroes for Girls) [Paperback]

Doreen Greenberg (Author), Michael Greenberg (Author), Jackie Joyer Kersee (Introduction), Phil Velikan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Anything You Can Do

A tomboy who was better at baseball and as fierce as any boy onthe football field, Nancy Lieberman had always been a sports nut. But when she discovered basketball, she knew she had found her sport. Overcoming her mother's objections and the other kids' taunts, Nancy played every chance she got. When the announcement went out that the U.S. Women's team was holding tryouts for the Olympic team, she snuck out to the tryouts - but even if she made the team, would her mom let 15-year old nancy play?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Informative, instructive, and motivational biographies on basketball-star Lieberman-Cline and Olympian-fencer Monplaisir. Written to promote girls' participation in sports, each biography is based on interviews with the athlete and stresses the gender challenges that she had to overcome. Irrepressible Lieberman-Cline never wavered from her competitive "tomboy" determination to excel on the playground and later on the basketball court despite objections from her mother. Timid, loner Monplaisir found her niche with a supportive high school fencing coach who encouraged her to expand her horizons and to develop her talent. A concluding "Sports Talk" section addressed to adults offers a discussion guide on topics from "Body Image," "Competing against the Boys," and "Lack of Family Support" to "Difficulties with the Coach" (Lieberman-Cline) and "Temper Tantrums" (Monplaisir). Research and understanding are enhanced by a career-highlights chronology and specific sport chronology. Both volumes serve a clear educational purpose. The childlike black-and-white drawings do not enhance the realistic, factual presentations, but the upbeat, conversational tone may inspire readers.
Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"... a package that gives a good look at a woman who excelled in her respective field..." -- -- S. Ardrian, Fearless Reviews

"The book should be a 'must read' for all parents--and grandparents of young athletic girls." -- -- Brooke DeLench, Founder, MomsTeam.com

"The books serve their purpose well... here are some wonderful women for girls of all ages to emulate." -- -- Diane Masla, Voice Of Youth Advocates - VOYA

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Wish Publishing; 1 edition (September 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930546408
• ISBN-13: 978-1930546400
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,312,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > School & Sports > Girls in Sports

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Especially for girls with an interest in sports, February 8, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Drive to Win: The Story of Nancy Lieberman-Cline (Anything You Can Do... New Sports Heroes for Girls) (Paperback)

A Drive To Win is the biography of Nancy Lieberman-Cline who, as a tomboy, was better at baseball and as fierce as any boy on the football field. Nancy had always been a sports enthusiast. But when she discovered basketball, she knew she had found her sport. Overcoming her mother's objections and the other kids' taunts. Nancy played every chance she got and when she heard the announcement that the U.S. Women's team was holding tryouts for the Olympic team, she snuck out to the tryouts -- but even if she made the team, would her mother let 15-year old Nancy play? Highly recommended reading, especially for girls with an interest in sports, A Drive To Win is the debut title for Wish Publishing's "Anything You Can Do...New Sports Heroes For Girls" series and focuses not only on one remarkable young woman's struggle to become a competitive athlete, but shows how participation in sports can help girls to grow up and become successful women.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Trail Blazer, October 1, 2000

By 

Marjorie Wuestner (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Drive to Win: The Story of Nancy Lieberman-Cline (Anything You Can Do... New Sports Heroes for Girls) (Paperback)

What a wonderful, engaging, multifaceted book for adolescent girls.....and boys! Nancy Lieberman-Cline's biography is written in a way that captures your interest from the first page. Girls and women, especially, who have experienced any one of the many challenges or barriers in the pursuit of athleticism can relate to Nancy's life. Young girls who struggle with issues relating to body image, family support, competition, sociability, and acceptance will feel validated after reading this book.

A component of the book also worth its "weight in gold", is the section called "Sports Talk", which is meant to be an interactive platform for readers and their parents, teaches and coaches. It contains excellent research-based information and thought provoking questions for readers relating to issues of girls participating in sport, within the context of the book.

This would be a terrific book to use in a middle school program, where integration of English, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Technology are sought.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring reading for kids - librarian's 4 star award, October 2, 2000

By 

"[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Drive to Win: The Story of Nancy Lieberman-Cline (Anything You Can Do... New Sports Heroes for Girls) (Paperback)

If the first book is indicative of the series, then kids can look forward to an exciting time. It is a rare treat when an author can take the life of an athlete who has had a singular pursuit of their sport and make it an enriching, enjoyable story.

I recommend this book for schools.