Wilma Rudolph (On My Own Biographies) [Hardcover]

Victoria Sherrow (Author), Larry Johnson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: On My Own Biographies

A biography of the African-American woman who overcame crippling polio as a child to become the first woman to win three gold medals in track in a single Olympics.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-3-An easy-to-read biography of an amazing athlete. The text discusses Rudolph's premature birth, getting polio at age four, and problems exacerbated by "color laws" and prejudice. Sherrow recounts how Rudolph was forced to make a 50-mile bus trip twice a week to Nashville for treatment because it was the nearest hospital that would admit black people. The author also describes her subject's struggle to walk at age seven, and her triumph at 16, when she became the youngest member of the 1956 U.S. Olympic Team. Excellent, full-color drawings appear on every page; a chronology highlights Rudolph's life from 1940 to her death in November, 1995 (actually, she died in November, 1994). The book is similar in scope to Kathleen Krull's Wilma Unlimited (Harcourt, 1996), which is aimed at a slightly older audience. However, Krull puts a heavier emphasis on the athlete's physical challenges and David Diaz's illustrations are more stylized and less realistic. Both books are worthy additions to any biography section.
Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The story begins in 1946 with six-year-old Wilma on the bus to Nashville for her weekly physical-therapy session. Weakened by polio, her leg is thin and crooked, but her family's loving support, and her own determination enable her not only to walk and run but also to win three gold medals for running in the 1960 Olympics. This book from the On My Own Biography series has the short words and large type of a beginning reader, but the text is somewhat longer than most in that category. Sherrow tells Rudolph's inspiring story with simplicity and dignity, and Johnson's paintings expressively portray the action and emotion implicit in the text. The artwork, sophisticated yet accessible to kids, makes the book a good choice for older children reading below grade level, though the placement of the suggested grade level on the front cover may put them off. A fine addition to library collections, even those with other Rudolph biographies on the shelf. Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575052466
• ISBN-13: 978-1575052465
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,807,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Track & Field

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wilma Rudolph, January 23, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Wilma Rudolph (On My Own Biographies) (Paperback)

Wilma Rodolph had one big problem before she became a famous Olympic runner, and that problem was that she had polio. Polio is a disease that you can die from or lose use of your legs. Wilma lost the use of her left leg only but was still in much pain. Every day, Wilma rode on a bus to a therapist to treat her leg. The bus ride took about 2 hours both ways. When this was happening Wilma was only six years old. Doctors told Wilma's parents, "She might not make it." Her parents were very upset. Wilma's family was very, very poor. Wilma wished very much that she could run like the other children at her school. But as Wilma got older (11) and she kept therapy she started to walk and run! It took Wilma along time for her to prepare but finally she won three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics! I would recommend this book to kids that like to run.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WILMA RUDOLPH, January 21, 2000

By 

KARLENE WASHINGTON (DALLAS TEXAS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wilma Rudolph: Olympic Champion (Junior World Biographies) (Paperback)

THIS BOOK WAS INSPIRATION TO EVERY YOUNG BLACK CHILD THAT IS PURSURIG TRACK & FIELD. THIS BOOK TALKS HIGHLIGHTLY ON IF YOU SEE YOUR MIND TO A GOAL OR DREAM STICK WITH IT WHEN NO BELIEVES IN YOU BUT YOURSELF.