Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku (Hardcover)

by Ellie Crowe (Author), Richard Waldrep (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
This strikingly illustrated picture-book biography celebrates Duke Kahanamoku, who broke records as an Olympic swimmer and introduced surfing around the globe. Crowe begins in 1917 with an exciting account of 27-year-old Kahanamoku's nearly two-mile ride on a giant wave. Subsequent spreads hark back to Kahanamoku's early years, when he lived across the road from Waikiki Beach, through swimming training that earned him Olympic gold and worldwide fame. Although Crowe references the racial discrimination that Kahanamoku encountered, younger readers may still need help putting some generalizations ("public beaches and pools on the mainland were mostly closed to people of color," for example) into historical context. In addition, the short, lively text, suitable for reluctant readers, loses focus as it shifts between Kahanamoku's swimming and surfing accomplishments. A thorough time line helps pull things back together, while dramatic colored-pencil-and-gouache artwork enhances the sense of Kahanamoku's iconic persona in glossy stylized images of the muscled athlete charging through sparkling waters. A welcome introduction to a groundbreaking figure rarely covered in books for youth. Engberg, Gillian

Review
...father of modern surfing, who battled racism, politics and financial difficulties on his way to becoming a gold- and silver-medal-winning Olympic swimmer.. Waldrep's stunning Art Deco-style airbrush illustrations complement this rich picture.. -- KIRKUS REVIEWS

..Crowe depicts his encounters with racial discrimination with sensitivity, underscoring the courage and character he developed to face these setbacks...vibrant, action-filled illustrations... Well researched and fact-filled. -- "Starred Review," SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

An inspiring, poignant biography of the legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, who was also the fastest swimmer in the world for 16 years...he managed to graciously triumph over countless obstacles to become a bonafide legend -- The BLOOMSBURY REVIEW- EDITOR'S FAVORITES OF 2007

an intense, emotional story of a champion ...well-paced presentation will draw young readers into the thrilling life of a modest champion who pioneered more than a sport's popularity and lived by the loving creed of aloha. -- Sacramento Bee October 14, 2007

biography brings to light a seminal figure in the history of surfing and Olympic swimming. ... a portrait of a man whose humility, good nature, and hard work allowed him to forge a path of success despite a background completely lacking in privilege -- THE HORN BOOK GUIDE

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (October 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584302763
• ISBN-13: 978-1584302766
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #537,821 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #22 in	Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Water Sports > Nonfiction
  #62 in	Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Water Sports > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring story and illustrations, November 26, 2007

By	Marisa Williams - See all my reviews

This (true) story is an inspiration to adults and children, alike. And it is beautifully illustrated to boot. I found the book on a trip to Hawaii and fell in love with the images. I was familiar with Duke Kahanamoku, but not with all the details of his life. I was therefore pleased to learn so much from this story, aimed at children. Well written. My friends' kids loved it. I bought two copies for myself; one to keep and one to cut up and frame, as the illustrations are so exceptionally lovely.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hawaiian Olympian, February 28, 2008

By	Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Katy, TX) - See all my reviews

Duke Kahanamoku was an Olympic gold medalist, the father of modern surfing, and an icon of Hawaiian culture.

Crowe tells the story of Kahanamoku's boyhood in Honolulu where daily swims in the ocean developed his strength and technique. Qualifying for the Stockholm Olympics in 1912, he made friends with another American athlete, Jim Thorpe.

Duke almost missed his first Olympic race because he overslept. In a wonderful display of Olympic spirit, his chief competitor, Cecil Helay, from Australia, refused to swim unless the officials let Duke compete. Such magnanimity is hard to imagine in today's endorsement rich, high-stakes winner-takes-home the-Wheaties-box environment.

He popularized surfing and promoted Hawaii all his life. Duke's Creed of Aloha is a fitting ending to an excellent biography of a man who always exhibited good sportsmanship and Olympic ideals.

Richard Waldrep perfectly illustrates the story with wonderous full color illustrations that evoke vintage art deco travel posters.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really interesting!, December 8, 2007

By	Love to read (United States) - See all my reviews

This is such an interesting story! My 9-year-old son read it all in one sitting, which is rare! It's about Duke Kahanamoku, the swimmer and surfer who brought surfing to the world. It's fascinating to read about how he went to Australia and the aussies were amazed to see him ride waves on a board. His trials to get into the Olympics as a swimmer are also really interesting- Duke had such an unusual life. The book is very well-written, and each story from Duke's life draws you in. The illustrations are really nice too- lots of blue ocean. It's a very attractive book, with different colored pages where the writing is, which is something I haven't seen in a book before. Gorgeous!