The Olympics
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-- School Library Journal, 7/30/2008 8:34:00 AM
The Olympics feature over 40 different sports, but there are just three categories of winners—gold, silver, and bronze. With the upcoming Olympics in Beijing dominating the media, it won’t take much to get young sports fans' attention. It’s also a great time to throw a toga party!
FORD, Michael. You Wouldn't Want to Be a Greek Athlete!: Races You'd Rather Not Run. illus. by David Antram. Watts. 2004. PLB $29. ISBN 978-0-531-12352-2; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-0-531-16394-8.
Gr 3-6–Full of facts and humor, Ford's punchy text and Antram's cartoon illustrations make this title a winner for a unit on Greek life as well as the Olympics. Readers are introduced to the basics of this now-international competition through the story of a poor farmer's son who competes in the Olympics in fifth-century Greece. Nude (“as a symbol of religious purity”) athletes are posed discreetly, and guarantee a lot of attention. A glossary and index are included.
MACY, Sue. Swifter, Higher, Stronger: A Photographic History of the Summer Olympics. National Geographic. 2008. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0290-9; PLB $27.90. ISBN 978-1-4263-0302-9.
Gr 3 Up–Updated since the 2004 edition, this chronological photographic essay presents the history of the Olympics from its earliest times to a preview of the 2008 Games. Every image in this browser’s delight has a great story behind it, and Macy tells them all. Any young athlete who has dreamed of being part of the OIympics will find inspiration in both the photographs and writing. Like it cold? Check out Macy’s Freeze Frame: A Photographic History of the Winter Olympics (National Geographic, 2006).
OSBORNE, Mary Pope. Hour of the Olympics. illus. by Sal Murdocca. Random. 1998. PLB $11.99. ISBN 978-0-679-99062-8; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-679-89062-1.
Gr 3-5–Magical librarian Morgan le Fay charges Jack and Annie with the recovery of an ancient story, landing them in Greece at an early Olympics. Readers will learn about Greek words, customs, and mythology as the pair's adventure unfolds. A meeting with Plato, Annie's arrest, and a daring rescue by Pegasus make for a satisfying bit of historical fiction. The companion nonfiction research guide, Ancient Greece and the Olympics (Random, 2004), provides excellent background on both topics, and includes an index and list of additional resources.
YOO, Paula. Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story. Lee & Low. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58430-247-6.
K-Gr 3–Korean-American Sammy Lee loves to swim, but the pool is only available to nonwhites one day a week. His African-American friend teaches him how to dive, and Sammy sets his sights on being an Olympic diver, despite his father's wish for him to become a doctor. Against the odds, he wins a gold medal at the 1948 Olympics, at age 28. This beautifully illustrated and inspirational picture book covers a lot of ground—segregation, integration, reverence, and perseverance.
ZUCKER, Jonny. Speed Star. illus. by Enzo Troiano. Stone Arch. 2007. PLB $21.26. ISBN 978-1-59889-335-9; pap. $4.95. ISBN 978-1-59889-431-8.
Gr 3-5–Designed to encourage reluctant readers, this graphic novel features Rex Jones, the best runner in his school. He is initially intimidated by bully Mike Stone, who tells him, "You are a waste of time.... I'm going to beat you so easily in the race." Determined to make it into the Olympics, Rex keeps trying, and with the help of a mysterious stranger, he thinks he can make it to the finish line. A glossary and discussion questions are included. A nice addition to the hi-lo fiction genre.
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