(2) K-3 Illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Robbins (1935–2017) and Harding (1924–2002) started out as rock-climbing buddies but quickly became rivals. Messner’s conversational text introduces them and their interest in climbing; she then follows them from the few climbs they attempted together to the many they tried separately and competitively. Yosemite National Park had plenty of rockfaces that no one had summited yet, and a race for first ascents ensued. The text, at times placed on the page to im-ply pauses (“Finally, Royal felt that rocky ledge under his hand / and held on / for dear life”), evokes the drama of ­scaling a rockface. Occasional direct address draws readers and listeners in (“You know how ­Warren felt about giving up”). The text also makes clear the differences in the men’s philosophies of climbing, which informed key moments in their rivalry: Robbins tried to leave as few traces behind as possible, while Harding “just wanted to climb!” without worrying about how many bolts he hammered into the rock. The illustrations’ c­ompositions are engagingly varied, though their representations of people can be cartoonish. Back matter includes more information about rock climbing and the “rock stars” who climbed alongside ­Robbins and Harding, further reading, and selected sources.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) 4-6 Survival Scout series. In this third installment in the humorous and informative comic-format series (starting with Lost in the Mountains, rev. 7/23), Scout (a highly capable child) and Skunk (a snarky skunk) find themselves alone in a small boat when Scout’s hapless older brother is whisked away by an offended porpoise. After making a clearheaded assessment of the situation, Scout asserts to her friend that “today, we’re going to rescue ourselves.” The book shares a common-sense overview of real-life sailing and survival skills through a combination of captions, cartoony diagrams, and word-balloon dialogue between Scout and Skunk (who, through questions and irreverent quips, serves as a stand-in for curious readers). A squall forces Scout and Skunk to apply all their sailing knowledge when it most counts; they successfully navigate through the storm, reunite with the brother, and eventually encounter land -- and Mom. Additional details appear in the back matter, including more technical know-how, recommended reading and resources, and an author’s note extolling the joys of sailing.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Maithili Joshi. Ranatunge Karunananda (1936–1974), known as Karu, was the only runner among the six athletes representing Sri Lanka in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In “the biggest stadium he [had] ever seen,” he lined up on the track, fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming an elite athlete. He fell behind early in the race but worked hard to catch up, finishing...last, and well behind the next-slowest runner. While the victors celebrated their wins, Karu could have stopped -- other runners did—but he continued his twenty-five laps until he had finished the full 10,000 meters, crossing the finish line to resounding cheers. It’s not often that a book honors coming in last, but this one does, for the book is not titled Winning the Race but rather Crossing the Finish Line, and that Karu achieves. His inspiring story is about taking part, persisting, and feeling pride. Ponweera, who is also from Sri Lanka, takes the story of Karu and brings it, with illustrator Joshi, to beautiful life. The text starts with very simple sentences but gains pace, along with the race. Interspersed with his memories and observations, the counting of laps (“Thirteen. / Fourteen. / Fifteen”) lends urgency to Karu’s goal. A bright palette of green, yellow, orange, maroon, and gold serves as an homage to the Sri Lankan flag, indicating Karu’s sense of responsibility to his country. A fine read-aloud with an important message.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. In engaging, economical, and colloquial prose, Alonso chronicles the ascent and career highs of legendary right fielder Clemente (1934–1972), who endured racism as a Spanish-speaking Black man while shattering records during his illustrious baseball career. This energetic account begins with young Roberto playing béisbol in Carolina, Puerto Rico, using crinkled-up cans for baseballs and branches for bats. After a talent scout spots him in 1955, the nineteen-year-old travels to Montreal, where he spends more time on the bench than the field. Then he joins the Pittsburgh Pirates and impresses everyone with his ability to hit, slide, and leap for catches. Alonso (a journalist for MLB.com) writes with the immediacy of a play-by-play announcer, whisking readers from one achievement to the next. She directly addresses the extreme prejudice Clemente experienced: crowds heckle him for speaking español; dismissive reporters insist on calling him Bob instead of Roberto. Gutierrez's inventive mixed-media illustrations explode with dynamic colors and kinetic motion. Each double-page spread resembles an intricate mural, capturing jumps in time and changes in locale with swirls and attention-grabbing line work. While Gutierrez employs many abstract touches throughout, he gives Clemente an expressive photorealistic face that shows his determination and drive. Excellent back matter includes a timeline, a bibliography, photos, and an informative note from Alonso.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lonnie Ollivierre. This inspiring picture-book biography sheds light on Maurice Stokes, a 1950s NBA star whose promising career was tragically cut short by a severe head injury. Combining engaging storytelling with digital illustrations in a palette of neutral colors, the story highlights his incredible talent, inspiring resilience, and the deep bond between Stokes and his teammate Jack Twyman. Back matter fleshes out Stokes’s life and includes source notes and a selected bibliography.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael G. Long. This inspiring biography of Rudolph (1940–1994), the three-time Olympic gold medalist in track, centers on her work as a civil rights activist. After her Olympic success, she traveled throughout Europe and discovered life was different: "In America, they push me around because I'm a Negro. Here in Europe, they pushed me to the front." In Athens at the beaches, all races could swim together; in London any person could sit anywhere on a bus; in Berlin everyone ate together in restaurants. But back home, the community pool did not allow Black people to swim in it; restaurants would not serve Black people; and Black people could only ride in the back of city buses. When the leaders of Rudolph's hometown of Clarksville, Mississippi, planned a celebration honoring her, she refused to attend until Black people could participate in the activities. Facing objections, she persisted and, at least for that day, Clarksville desegregated to honor its hometown celebrity. Davis and Long's inviting text realistically portrays the subject's athletic prowess and her determined commitment to racial equality. Barlow's inventive collages of hand-painted cut paper and various mixed media are well matched to the narrative and wonderfully capture Rudolph's essence. Back matter includes an author's note that provides more information about Rudolph's advocacy and how her early life was shaped by segregation.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amanda Quartey. Anti-Black racism limited Althea Gibson’s professional tennis career in the United States, and antisemitism held back Angela Buxton in the UK. The two befriended each other during a tournament in Asia, and they eventually became doubles partners, winning Wimbledon and what is now known as the French Open in 1956. Dubbin uses child-friendly language to explain the discrimination both women faced. Cartoon-like illustrations accompany the straightforward prose. An author’s note and photographs of the women are appended.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Huynh Kim Liên & Phùng Nguyên Quang. Composed mostly of questions, this picture-book biography traces Jeremy Lin's uphill battle as the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Moving from his youth to his breakout 2012 game with the New York Knicks, the book shows how faith, diligence, and tenacity helped Lin weather taunts, setbacks, privation, and an agonizing NBA draft wait. The digital illustrations employ spot art to depict Lin's off-court life, while full bleeds portray on-court action and the media craze ("linsanity") surrounding his meteoric rise from obscurity. Ho prompts children to reflect on their own experiences contending with naysayers, find role models who look like them, embrace who they are, and defy stereotypes. Back matter fleshes out Lin's life story and includes an author's note and bibliography.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Jay. Perseverance and a willingness to try new things win the day in this lively picture-book biography. Latvian Jewish immigrant Annie Cohen Kopchovsky (1870–1947) is a hard worker with a determined spirit, and when she sees an advertisement that the first woman to bicycle around the world in fifteen months will win ten thousand dollars, she immediately signs up for cycling lessons. Despite never having ridden a bicycle before, Annie (now with a new last name given to her by an advertiser) soon starts a grueling journey from Boston with many setbacks, from injury to thievery to overzealous customs officials. She builds support wherever she goes by connecting with other cyclists, completes her journey in the allotted time, and begins her new life as a celebrity journalist championing women's independence. Kirkfield's text picks up on attention-grabbing details, such as the single pair of underwear that is the only thing in Annie's pocket as she begins her ride, and keeps the story focused with a repeated chorus of "Pedal. Balance. Steer!" That refrain is often worked into the illustrations, the words winding beside Annie's bicycle in Jay's characteristic flat oil paintings with a crackled varnish that adds to the sense of history. Direct quotes are often included in speech bubbles in a cursive text (which can be difficult to decode). Back matter includes an author's note with more information on Kopchovsky, the history of biking and of women riding bikes, a timeline, and an extensive bibliography.

Reviewer: Laura Koenig | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by S. D. Nelson. Born on the Oglala Lakota Nation's Pine Ridge Reservation and orphaned at a young age, a grieving Billy Mills focuses on his father's advice: "The pursuit of a dream will heal you." Mills's dream is to follow in the footsteps of Native athletes Jim Thorpe and Buster Charles. That dream takes him to the University of Kansas's track team and eventually the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Mills confronts racism and health challenges (he is hypoglycemic) at every turn, but his belief in his dream pushes him to overcome all obstacles. Mills becomes one of only two Indigenous American Olympic track-and-field gold medalists when he beats the odds and wins gold in the 10,000-meter event. Written in propulsive and inspiring first-person free verse, this picture-book autobiography is a celebration of Mills, his legacy, and the power of inspiration. Nelson's acrylic illustrations capture Mills's Lakota upbringing, athletic pursuits, determination, and Olympic triumphs with grace and kinetic energy. Sun-drenched pages feature symbolic textures that imbue the art with a visual representation of the ancestral support the text references throughout. Additional information about Mills's life and charitable work off the track, photographs, a timeline, and notes from the three creators complete this stunning package, an essential addition for all sports fans.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(1) YA In tracing the battle for equal pay and equal treatment waged by the United States Women's National Team against the U.S. Soccer Federation, Rusch (The 21: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change, rev. 11/23) pulls off quite a feat: she keeps readers riveted by edge-of-their-seats descriptions of individual World Cup and Olympic games while educating them about gender bias, Title IX, the effects of concussion, contract negotiations, grass versus turf fields, class action lawsuits, and more. The book proceeds chronologically, from the Women's National Team's 1985 creation (with players like Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm, who were told that it was enough just to play for their country); through 1999 when the team won the World Cup (notorious for Brandi Chastain's post-win sports-bra celebration) but the women made about $15,000 apiece; to the early 2000s with the entry of players like Abby Wambaugh, Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan, fierce fighters both on and off the pitch; and ultimately to 2022 when, after protracted and brave efforts, pay parity between the men's and women's national teams was finally achieved. For such a thorough and comprehensive account, the telling is remarkably lively, peppered throughout with (uncensored) quotes and memorable descriptions (Rapinoe is the "firecracker forward with pink-dyed hair") and filled with drama, sheroes, and villains; even granular descriptions of legal proceedings are compelling. Impressive front and back matter include a list of major characters, a diagram of a soccer field outlining basic positions, an extensive bibliography, and twenty-six pages of source notes. Index unseen.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Toni “Tomboy” Stone (1921-1996) loved baseball, but her parents, teammates, and coaches didn't think a girl, especially a Black girl, should play. Thanks to her tremendous athleticism and determination, she rose through the ranks to play with two Negro League teams and became the first woman to play professional baseball. The digital illustrations are most effective when portraying baseball action. The author’s note and extensive timeline provide important historical context to Stone’s achievements, which are not widely known.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu. Chaffee gets the ball rolling with a quick sketch of soccer icon Abby Wambach's childhood as the last-born in a competitive, seven-sibling-strong family. After riding the highs and lows of youth soccer league and high school soccer, Abby is noticed by college scouts and trains relentlessly to land a spot on the U.S. National Soccer Team. The fast-moving account of her subsequent historic career presents her as a team leader and class act on and off the field. A refrain -- "But Abby was tougher" -- emphasizes the pluck and mettle that helped her surmount defeats, self-doubt, and a major injury. In the vector-like illustrations, a color motif of coruscating pinks reconciles femininity and athleticism. Back matter includes a run-through of Wambach's professional milestones and a glossary of soccer terminology.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(2) 4-6 Survival Scout series. This humorous and informative comic-format guide showcases all things survival in the great outdoors. After getting lost while hiking and later abandoned by her exaggeratedly incompetent grown-up brother (he gets chased away by a bear), protagonist Scout is left alone in the wilderness. She has no communication devices and only half of the gear she needs, but she is determined to pull through. Straightforward narration documents Scout's planning and behavior as she tends to her most immediate priorities of shelter, signals, water, and food. As she confronts each challenge (how to light a fire, use a compass, etc.), readers gain access to her decision-making processes and her persistence and problem-solving skills when tasks don't immediately go as planned. Each survival scenario is presented with tension, but none verges on scary or stressful. A silly cast of talking critters (especially a friendly skunk) lightens the tone, offering clarifications and lots of laugh-out-loud jokes. The thick-lined, brightly colored illustrations are jam-packed with diagrams, labels, and other instructions akin to what one would see in a survival handbook; a variety of layouts and visual perspectives allows for readers to focus on the facts and soak in the beauty of the setting. An appendix includes information on knot-tying, Morse code, first aid, bear safety, skunk scent remedies, and going to the bathroom; resources for further reading; and an author's note.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Leo Espinosa. Smith introduces African American cycling legend Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor (1878-1932) to a new generation. Beginning with prose and then switching gears to (sometimes-clunky) verse, the story focalizes Taylor's remarkable performance in the grueling Six-Day Bicycle Race at Madison Square Garden when he was eighteen years old. Through chronological flashbacks, readers meet an even younger Taylor performing bicycle stunts in front the bike store where he worked and winning amateur races in jaw-dropping fashion. Smith does not soft-pedal the challenges Taylor faced while breaking the color barrier in sports. Espinosa's cinematic digital illustrations in a palette of largely neutral colors use dynamic visual perspectives to propel the story with drama and charged emotion. Back matter includes a timeline, bibliography, and supplementary profile of Taylor.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Arigon Starr. Baseball's 1911 World Series was the first to feature a match-up between two Native players. Future Hall-of-Fame pitcher Charles Bender (Ojibwe) would pitch in three of the six games, including the decisive sixth, for the Philadelphia Athletics; while hard-hitting catcher John Meyers (Cahuilla) would be behind the plate for the New York Giants for all six games. Both players were nicknamed "Chief" by the racist press and endured insults and slurs throughout their entire professional careers. Sorell (Cherokee Nation) provides readers with biographical sketches of Bender and Meyers, tracing their childhoods and divergent paths to professional baseball before diving back into the game-by-game highlights of the thrilling 1911 championship series. Starr (Kickapoo Tribe of ­Oklahoma) employs a mix of hand-drawn and digital art throughout and incorporates Ojibwe and Cahuilla designs in the pages relating Bender's and Meyers's childhoods. The art expertly foregrounds the central figures: Bender and Meyers are drawn with detailed texture, setting them apart from the largely flat backgrounds featuring teammates, fans, and reporters. An author's note, a detailed timeline, and a list of sources round out this handsome package, sure to pique the interest of young baseball fans.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) YA In his latest nonfiction thriller, Bascomb (Sabotage: The Mission to Destroy Hitler's Atomic Bomb, rev. 7/16) turns to the race to break the four-minute-mile barrier. "Running the mile was considered an art form in itself, requiring a balance of speed and stamina." For decades, it seemed the four-minute mark was beyond human limits. Gradually, runners chipped seconds off the world record and, finally, it seemed that three men were poised to make history: Englishman Roger Bannister, Australian John Landy, and American Wes Santee. The 1952 Helsinki Olympics provided a showcase for all three amateur runners and proved to be a catalyst for each to make a final push for glory. Artfully drawing readers into the drama, Bascomb segues between the principal characters, fleshing out their personal histories, their setbacks and challenges, and their training regimens, running styles, and competition strategies. With much anticipation and acclaim, all three competitors eventually broke the four-minute threshold. Two advanced to meet in head-to-head competition, while the third, much to his disappointment, was forced to be not just an observer but a commentator for the live television broadcast. Bascomb interviewed each of the men, giving the suspenseful tale an additional level of detail and authenticity. An author's note, bibliography, and source notes are appended; a photo insert appears in the middle of the book.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Martina Peluso. Rena "Rusty" Glickman Kanokogi (1935–2009) grew up in a cramped and noisy Coney Island apartment where "not even Shabbat brought quiet." Brash and strong, she was considered "unladylike" and a judo class was the first place she felt she fit in. As her skills developed, however, she faced barriers as a woman: e.g., she won a YMCA championship while disguised as a man but had her medal rescinded when an official saw through the ruse. The straightforward text focuses on her obsession with the sport (she practiced on subway platforms and took down "unsuspecting trash cans") and on her persistence and advocacy, including being the first woman to study at Japan's Kodokan and helping to establish women's judo as an Olympic event. Illustration layouts vary, with many of the more dynamic ones being vignettes of Glickman practicing judo moves. An author's note gives a bit more background, especially about Glickman's later life. A welcome addition to the growing canon of picture-book biographies amplifying lesser-known women, with added sports appeal.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nidhi Chanani. In a conversational third-person text, "professional strongman" Kearney shares his path from strong kid who excelled at strength-based sports (football, cheerleading, weightlifting) to adult strongman champion. But this story's true focus is about embracing who you are and celebrating self-expression. Before he was "the first and only openly gay strongman in the world," Kearney kept his "bright, bold" style private. When he falls in love with fellow weightlifter Joey, he's emboldened to forego lifters' typical "boring colors" and instead sports colorful clothes and a rainbow Mohawk. Chanani's cheerful illustrations help reinforce Kearney's message, summed up in his author's note: "There is nothing that shows more strength than being who you truly are." More information about the Strongman competition is appended, as is a list of related websites and books.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Cannaday Chapman. In 1947, eleven and a half weeks after Jackie Robinson became the first Black player in Major League Baseball, Larry Doby became the second, and the first in the American League. Doby faced the same racism as Robinson. He was shunned by some of his teammates on the Cleveland Indians. He couldn't stay at whites-only hotels, or even enter the main gates of some stadiums. Opposing players spit on him and called him racist names. But he made a place for himself and was named to the All-Star team seven years in a row. Following her subject from an integrated neighborhood in Camden, South Carolina, to high school football, to the Newark Eagles in the Negro Leagues, Vernick (Brothers at Bat, rev. 3/12; The Kid from Diamond Street, rev. 1/16) provides just the right amount of lively text to complement Chapman's (Feed Your Mind, rev. 1/20) beautifully composed illustrations, especially effective in dramatic angles and shifting viewpoints: sliding into third base with a panoramic view of left field and the stands; a handshake with team owner Bill Veeck; and a back-view image (based on a famous photograph, appended) of a hug shared with pitcher Steve Gromek after a World Series win. This is a balanced account of one player's brilliant achievements and the ongoing struggle for racial equality in sports and society. Back matter includes a bibliography and an author's note detailing the many firsts in Doby's career.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022