Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story [Paperback]

Paula Yoo (Author), Dom Lee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

The inspirational true story of Sammy Lee, a Korean American who overcame discrimination to realize both his father's desire that he become a doctor and his own dream of becoming an Olympic champion diver.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–This inspirational biography recognizes the life of the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal, at the 1948 Games in London. Even though he grew up in California when "people of color" were only allowed to use the public swimming pools one day a week, Lee was never discouraged from his dream. In college, he made an agreement with his father that he would keep good enough grades to enter medical school, but continue to enter diving competitions. Yoo brings the biography to a dramatic conclusion with the 16 seconds of a three-and-a-half somersault dive. Lee's painterly illustrations give texture and depth to the full-page spreads. More than a story about discrimination and unfair treatment, this story shows one young man's determination and resolve toward accomplishing a goal in life.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 2-4. In her first picture book, winner of the publisher's New Voices Award, Yoo introduces Sammy Lee, the son of Korean immigrants who overcame formidable odds to become an Olympic diving champion as well as a doctor. In 1932, at the age of 12, Sammy fell in love with diving, but his local pool was open only once a week to nonwhites. He faced opposition at home, too; his father wanted him to focus on a "respectful" profession--medicine. Yoo describes how Sammy found a coach, maintained a grueling balance between academics and training, and finally earned both a medical degree and an Olympic gold medal. The minimal, well-shaped language focuses on powerful scenes that demonstrate Sammy's indestructible determination, his struggles with his father, and the prejudice he faced. Washed in nostalgic sepia tones, Dom Lee's acrylic-and-wax textured illustrations are reminiscent of his fine work in Ken Mochizuki's watershed Baseball Saved Us (1993), and like Yoo's understated words, the uncluttered images leave a deep impression; an aerial view of Sammy facing the blue expanse of the Olympic pool is particularly affecting. A page of facts closes this handsome, inspiring biography, which will make both an excellent read-aloud for younger children or a read-alone for confident older ones. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1 edition (April 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600604536
• ISBN-13: 978-1600604539
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Sports & Recreation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars follow your dreams, May 9, 2005

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sixteen Years In Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story (Hardcover)

This is a biography of Sammy Lee. He was an Olympic gold metalist. Sammy faced lots of prejudice in his life because he was Korean. He was only allowed in public pools on ceratain days. He never let this get him down this make him want to work harder. Before reading this book I had never heard of Sammy Lee. I enjoyed reading his biography. Sammy Lee never gave up on his dreams. He always tried his best. He is a great role model for kids today.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A picturebook based on the true story of the Korean American boy Sammy Lee. In 1932, August 11, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Sixteen Years In Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story (Hardcover)

A Lee & Low New Voices Award Winner, Sixteen Years In Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story is a picturebook based on the true story of the Korean American boy Sammy Lee. In 1932, when Sammy Lee was twelve, he wanted to dive at the public pool - but like all persons of color, he was allowed to use the pool only one day a week. But his passion for diving did not cool, and for sixteen years, he struggled to balance his dream of becoming an Olympic diver with following his father's wishes and becoming a doctor. In 1948, Dr. Sammy Lee earned his place in Olympic history and became the first Asian American to win a gold medal. Sammy Lee's remarkable story, elegantly told by Paula Yoo and illustrated by Dom Lee with soft, semi-impressionistic style artwork, is an inspirational testimony for young readers about the infinite potential within oneself, and the opportunities one can reach for in America.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story, August 3, 2005

By 

Leslie R. Hasselbach (Clemson, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sixteen Years In Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story (Hardcover)

I truly enjoyed the Sammy Lee Story. What a great tribute to such an amazing historical diving figure. The illustrations were lovely!