Florence Griffith Joyner: Track and Field Star (First Book) [Library Binding]

April Koral (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: First Book

A biography of the noted sprinter who won three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- Koral covers various aspects of the American sprinter's life from birth until 1990, with greatest emphasis on the events leading up to her winning three gold medals in the 1988 Olympics. The presentation is well organized, to the point, and easy to read. This, and the fact that Joyner is an intriguing subject, combine to give the book wider appeal than most sports biographies. Joyner is a captivating character who simultaneously suggests fun, drive, hardship, and success on and off the track. (As an adolescent she was kicked out of a shopping mall when she refused to remove her pet boa constrictor from around her neck.) Even her athletic experiences have a quirky side, as when she was eliminated from the 1984 Olympic relay team by officials who judged her fingernails to be too long for safe baton-passing. From several sources, including Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press, the full-color photographs depict excitement, drama, glamour, and strength. Throughout, Koral evokes strong visual images that give the text a richness unusual in nonfiction written this simply and indirectly. Also, a few well-placed quotes from Joyner add texture. --Liza Bliss, formerly at Leominster Public Library, MA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The latest biography of explosive sprinter Joyner features memorable childhood anecdotes (young FloJo liked to chase jack rabbits in the Mojave Desert), large, bright color photos, and dramatic, technically illuminating accounts of her major races: ``Don't start too fast...She rounded the bend. Keep your left shoulder slightly forward to keep from skidding...Remember! Use all you have coming home.'' Readers will get a clear sense of her accomplishments and her notably flamboyant style. Though Joyner retired after her triumphs at the 1988 Olympics, Koral correctly surmises that she'll be back in '92. Altogether, then: timely and well-written. Index. (Biography. 9-11) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 64 pages
• Publisher: Franklin Watts (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531200612
• ISBN-13: 978-0531200612
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,067,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Goal!, April 18, 2001

By 

Tara Brown (Hohenfels,Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Florence Griffith Joyner: Track and Field Star (First Book) (Library Binding)

Whoa, Florence Griffith Joyner, the worlds wonderful track star of the womens track history. This women showed and told that she worked her heart out just to reach her goal. I love this book so much because just by reading it she showed me that I to can also reach my goals of the future. Even though she died I still remember she wuz and she still will be the best in my eyes and mind. Florence went to UCLA and started her future there. the coach thought that she was not good enough to be on the famous college team, but she showed her how much track meant to her. florence showed that it just didn't take hard work to reach an important goal of your life but she showed that it took faith, beleif, very very hard work and many more things. She sounded like she even took away her own quality time to work hard and strive for her goal.n Well hope you take my advice and happen to love this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, July 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Florence Griffith Joyner: Track and Field Star (First Book) (Library Binding)

This fantastic book tells all about Florence Griffith the "speed queen". It includes colorful pictures of the sprinter training, winning and wearing her funky, lacy jogging outfits(hey when you're a speed queen creativity counts!).
Koral makes this book a worth while read and covers all of the aspects of Griffith's life.
Read this book today!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, July 4, 2002

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Florence Griffith Joyner: Track and Field Star (First Book) (Library Binding)

This fantastic book tells all about Florence Griffith Joyner the "speed queen". It includes colorful pictures of the sprinter training, winning and wearing her funky, lacy jogging outfits(hey when you're a speed queen creativity counts!).
Koral makes this book a worth while read and covers all of the aspects of Joyner's life.
Read this book today!