Venus and Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning [Paperback]

Serena Williams Author (Author), Hilary Beard Author (Author), Venus Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2005

Venus and Serena Williams have something to say. But it isn’t all about tennis. It’s about life and how to play it.

These superstars and super sisters share their secrets in this straight-talking smart guide. Speaking candidly about their personal experiences, the sisters give you the inside scoop on:

• What it takes to rise and stay on top.
• Who watches their backs when the pressure is on.
• How they spend—and save—their money.
• Dating—their real deal on romance.
• Book smarts—keeping grades up and study stress down.
• Loving the skin you’re in.

This book offers solid advice for getting an advantage in every game you play.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–The sisters and tennis players extraordinaire give teens advice on everyday living, showing them how to aim high and reach their goals. The 10 rules for success include building a "dream team" (people who support your goals), doing well in school, learning self-respect, valuing friendships, taking care of yourself emotionally and physically, obtaining financial security, and overcoming setbacks. The final chapter discusses the virtues of volunteerism and charity. A color photo appears on every spread. The two women speak candidly about their personal experiences, revealing the values, attitudes, and regimens that worked for them. Never preachy and always practical, this is a welcome addition to most collections.–Ajoke' T. I. Kokodoko, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams take their lessons from the sport and offer them as advice to readers. In a casual tone, the well-organized book tackles topics such as building your dream, respecting yourself, staying in school, picking the right friends, and taking care of your money. Sometimes point-by-point help is offered (to build your dream, get your parents in your corner; to build your knowledge, be your own fan). With the help of cowriter Hilary Beard, the sisters come across as friendly, capable, and interested in their audience. Readers get a look into the girls' personal lives and their relationships with their families and each other. What makes this book so enticing is its attractive layout: lots of crisp, color photographs and design elements such as starbursts and silhouettes in different colors. Information about how to get involved with charitable organizations completes the package. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; None edition (March 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618576533
• ISBN-13: 978-0618576531
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #989,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for adults as well as young girls!, April 7, 2005

By 

Jenae Richards (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Venus and Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning (Paperback)

Wow . . . I can't believe the haters who have weighed in on this book! And nothing in their "reviews" indicate they've even read it!
"Venus and Serena . . ." is a well-written but easy read, doling out lifestyle advice and guidance for young girls and giving insight to the motivations behind decisions made by Venus and Serena. It details why their parents decided to pull them out of certain tours (I was surprised and delighted by the explanations), and how those decisions led to other life decisions.
I bought the book for my 17-year-old daughter, but sat down and read the whole thing. Feeling guilty, I ran out and bought another copy for my daughter. <smile> This is a book that I didn't mind buying twice.
I LOVED their advice on dating, and how girls need to love themselves first. The book is BIG on the importance of self-esteem.
I found "Venus and Serena . . ." to be motivational and insightful, and I highly recommend it.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motivational and Inspiring!, April 7, 2005

By 

Karen E. Quinones Miller "Essence Bestselling... (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Venus and Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning (Paperback)

I'm not a tennis fan, but you don't have to be to enjoy this book.

While the target audience is teenage girls, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I'm a middle-aged woman!

It's easy to read, full of insight into the lives and motivations of Serena and Venus, and has great advice for teenage girls on dating and other issues important to adolescents. I especially liked their emphasis on the need for self-esteem.

I agree with the reviewer who questioned the so-called reviewers who lambasted the book, since nothing in their "reviews" indicated they've read it!

I think Serena and Venus (and their co-author, Hilary Beard) did a wonderful job, and I encourage anyone with a teenage girl to run out and buy this book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for teens and fans of Venus and Serena!, April 29, 2005

By 

K. Jill (Scarsdale, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Venus and Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning (Paperback)

After seeing Venus and Serena on the Oprah show, I decided to get this book and I'm glad I did. The book talks about many of their on-court experiences so if you're a fan of Venus and Serena and have followed their careers since the mid 90's, you'll find out fascinating tidbits about their reactions to incidents on the WTA Tour. I also bought a copy for a friend's 11 yr. old daughter so as you can see this book is a great conversation-starter for parents and their daughters. All-around, well done.