7.23.2018

Sisters & Champions

The True Story of
Venus and Serena Williams

Philomel Books


(Penguin Random House)
(pub. 5.29.2018)

32 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor:  Howard Bryant
    and illustrator: Floyd Cooper

C haracters: Venus and Serena Williams

O
 verview from the jacket flap: 

     "Nobody thought sisters Venus and Serena Williams would become great, and certainly not as tennis players. People thought it was weird two black girls were playing tennis at all. They said the sister weren't supposed to dream so big. But the Williams family knew better.
     From their early days of childhood tennis matches to their record-breaking careers including Olympic gold medals and multiple number one rankings, this is the inspirational story of two sisters, their determination to succeed, and their unending love for each other.
     Written by acclaimed sports journalist Howard Bryant and brought to beautiful life by Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper, here is an in-depth look into the lives of two of the greatest tennis players of all time and the most successful siblings professional sports has ever produced."

T antalizing taste: 
      
      "The Williams family lived in Compton, a real tough, sometimes scary part of Los Angeles.  When Venus and Serena were four and three, Richard bought them tennis rackets, believing tennis treated girls more fairly than other sports, and, if his hunch was correct, that his girls would have an athletic advantage that would change the sport forever...
     Yet not all the talk was friendly.
     The sisters were different.
     Their skin was different.
     Their hair was different.
     Venus was tall. Really tall!
     And the way the sisters hit the ball - so hard, like the boys - even harder than the boys! - was different.
     In ways big and small, people reminded them of being different every day."
    
and something more: The text includes fascinating facts, such as the fact that in "February 2002, Venus was ranked NUMBER ONE in the world.  Six months later, it was Serena's turn to be NUMBER ONE! It is the only time in history two sisters, or brothers, were ranked first and second in the world."

8 comments:

Ms. Yingling said...

My daughter was a huge fan of the Williams sisters in elementary school. I'm always tempted to buy these for her, even though I know she would never read them now that she's in college.

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Ms. Yingling,
That's sweet that your daughter was such a fan of the Williams sister when she was a little girl.
Thanks for stopping by!

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

Thanks so much for sharing this book, this week! It's on my TBR list and I hope we get a local copy soon. Have a wonderful reading week, Jeanne!

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Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi 2Shaye,

I think you'll enjoy this book!
Thanks for stopping by

Kellee Moye (@kelleemoye) said...

I didn't know there was a Williams Sister picture book biography! You are awesome for sharing this, Jeanne. Thank you :) Happy reading!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Kellee,
Yes! I really enjoyed learning more about the Williams sisters.
And you're awesome for stopping by!

Linda B said...

I know about this book, and can't wait to read it. What a wonderful story to read. My granddaughters, 9 & 7 play tennis and enjoy it a lot. Time for them to know more about Serena & Venus!