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mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.0
Alta, inspired by Wilma Rudolph, claims she is the quickest kid in Clarksville. But Charmaine disagrees; and after a race that Charmaine wins...Alta feels defeated. But the two girls quickly get past their differences and run together to see Wilma Rudolph in a parade.
mehsi's review against another edition
3.0
Two girls, at first rivals, but then they bond over something they both love.
I had already heard of this book before but never had the luck to read it. Until today! And I have to say it was a really fun book to read. I never heard of Wilma Rudolph, but then again I am not a big sports watching fan, nor do I care much about sports (as in knowing all the athletes and such). But thanks to this book I know now who she is as our little MC tells us all about her, and we get a fact sheet with more information at the end.
Our MC is Alta, a small girl from Clarksville. She loves running, and she is really fast (and I think she has good promise for the future). But what will Alta do when a new kid pops up in the neighbourhood? How will she feel when she sees that this kid has everything fancy and shiny, while she is still in shoes with holes? I did feel for Alta, especially with how the new girl treated her and her friends.
The new kid? Eh, sorry, I just didn't like her, and I did think the change with how she was acting was a bit too sudden for me. One moment she is acting like the queen, and the next she is suddenly buddy buddy with Alta. I guess a celebrity love bonds, and I also get that the book only has room for so much story, but I still would have liked this change to be a bit more natural than just BANG.
The float/parade was really fun to see, and I am happy that the girls got the chance to see their hero. I know how magical that is, to finally see the person you are admiring so much.
The art was pretty decent. Not entirely my kind of style, but still pretty nicely done.
All in all, a pretty OK book about friendship, rivalry, dreams, and sports.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I had already heard of this book before but never had the luck to read it. Until today! And I have to say it was a really fun book to read. I never heard of Wilma Rudolph, but then again I am not a big sports watching fan, nor do I care much about sports (as in knowing all the athletes and such). But thanks to this book I know now who she is as our little MC tells us all about her, and we get a fact sheet with more information at the end.
Our MC is Alta, a small girl from Clarksville. She loves running, and she is really fast (and I think she has good promise for the future). But what will Alta do when a new kid pops up in the neighbourhood? How will she feel when she sees that this kid has everything fancy and shiny, while she is still in shoes with holes? I did feel for Alta, especially with how the new girl treated her and her friends.
The new kid? Eh, sorry, I just didn't like her, and I did think the change with how she was acting was a bit too sudden for me. One moment she is acting like the queen, and the next she is suddenly buddy buddy with Alta. I guess a celebrity love bonds, and I also get that the book only has room for so much story, but I still would have liked this change to be a bit more natural than just BANG.
The float/parade was really fun to see, and I am happy that the girls got the chance to see their hero. I know how magical that is, to finally see the person you are admiring so much.
The art was pretty decent. Not entirely my kind of style, but still pretty nicely done.
All in all, a pretty OK book about friendship, rivalry, dreams, and sports.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
desichelle's review against another edition
5.0
This is an adorable book and great for Black History Month and speaking on idols/role models. A great conversation starter on how we can grow up differently with family finances, cultural differences with African American home and neighborhood cultures. The main character looks up to Wilma Rudolph and her friends and community are preparing a parade for her return from the Olympics.
carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
A great (and true!) story about Wilma Rudolph returning to her hometown for a parade after winning Olympic gold medals in 1960. Alta and Charmaine compete to see who is the quickest kid in Clarksville, but they learn that having friends to help when you need them is more important than who's fastest! I loved the author's note that described the actual visit from Wilma Rudolph.
mnboyer's review against another edition
3.0
PopSugar 2015 reading challenge #17
The narrator has dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete, like her hero, Wilma Rudolph. However, she does not even have decent shoes, unlike her nemesis Charmaine. Eventually, the two girls realize that life will be better if they run together, not against one another. They then get to see Wilma Rudolph in the town’s parade. Inspired by true events in the 1960s.
The narrator has dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete, like her hero, Wilma Rudolph. However, she does not even have decent shoes, unlike her nemesis Charmaine. Eventually, the two girls realize that life will be better if they run together, not against one another. They then get to see Wilma Rudolph in the town’s parade. Inspired by true events in the 1960s.
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
Alta knows without a doubt that she's the fastest kid in her neighborhood. She gets challenged by the new girl, who has fancy sneakers and thinks she's the next Wilma Rudolph. The two girls will have to work together to get to Wilma Rudolph's parade on time. Good story about tenacity, and the benefits of cooperation.
clstrifes's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
shighley's review against another edition
4.0
I have always been a fan of Wilma Rudolph. I don't really remember her running in the 1960 Olympics, but I know I saw some of her races on television after that. Also, she lived in Indianapolis for a time and coached track at DePauw University in Indiana, and I did see her in person, although not racing. This is one of several books I've read lately in which the author's note added to my enjoyment. I really enjoyed the way the story came together in the end, and appreciate the way Rudolph was an important role model for many.
I agree with many others that the font/size makes it very difficult to read. Even if I were projecting this for students, I think they would have difficulty reading it.
I agree with many others that the font/size makes it very difficult to read. Even if I were projecting this for students, I think they would have difficulty reading it.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
So many ways to use this book, including to talk about teamwork, working hard for your goals.
bookdingo's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet and inspiring book about young girls competing at running to prove they're the fastest, just like the esteemed Wilma Rudolph! There are historical notes in the back if you know little-to-nothing about Wilma Rudolph (very helpful for me, and now I need to know more).