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32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-0379-9$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Cecilia Puglesi.
Kathryn "Tubby" Johnston initially resorted to subterfuge to join a Little League team in 1950. Fortunately, her coach recognized her talent, letting her play even after she'd confessed her gender. Lang details Johnston's resolve and baseball skills convincingly. The appended photographs of Johnston in uniform convey her determination better than Puglesi's retro, cartoonish illustrations. Back matter about female ballplayers throughout history adds context. Timeline.
40 pp.
| Boyds/Calkins
| March, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62091-650-6$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Raúl Colón.
Ruth Law's 1916 biplane flight from Chicago to NYC broke not only records but also boundaries for women. The taut text detailing that flight, interspersed with quotes from Law, lends immediacy and amps up the story's tension. In his striking, rich-toned colored-pencil and crayon artwork, Colón makes wonderful use of perspective, allowing readers to soar alongside Law. "More about Ruth Law" appended. Websites. Bib.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| December, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-2187-8$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jordi Solano.
Constantly asking questions, Genie grew from a budding young scientist into a world-renowned sea-life researcher intent on showing sharks' complexity to the world. Pastel-like illustrations capture Genie's contemplative side, while sparse underwater scenes convey the ocean's mysterious immensity. An author's note with additional biographical details (such as the discrimination Eugenie Clark faced) and a note about sharks' vital role in nature are appended.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-2931-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Suzanne Beaky.
Zesty art and energetic prose with folksy inflections tell the tale of the original "girl cowboy." Young Oklahoman Mulhall defied turn-of-the-last-century gender norms (defended by her ultra-traditional mother), entering rough-riding and roping competitions at thirteen and ultimately traveling the country showing off her prize-winning and record-breaking skills, including for President Teddy Roosevelt. An author's note fills in some gaps. Timeline.
40 pp.
| Boyds
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-850-9$16.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Floyd Cooper.
From the hardships of her Georgia childhood through the 1948 London Olympics at which she won gold and became a legend, this biography stands out for the little-known details it includes (e.g., her dance performance aboard the London-bound ship). Cooper's grainy, sepia-hued pastels are striking; endnotes with more about Coachman and the historic 1948 Olympics round out the thorough text. Websites. Bib.