Olympic Triumphs

John Peters -- School Library Journal, 8/5/2008

Olympic Triumphs

COOPER, John. Rapid Ray: The Story of Ray Lewis. Tundra. 2002. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-612-1.
Gr 5 Up–This well-written and engaging biography of the first Canadian-born black athlete to join a Canadian Olympic track-and-field team, winning a bronze medal (1932), is also a history of racism and prejudice in Canada and the United States. Lewis's experiences, written in his voice and based on personal interviews, are described in 16 chapters of lively prose. Eight pages of fair-quality, black-and-white photographs of the runner, his family, and his awards are positioned in a center section. Considering his long hours of work as a porter, Lewis's accomplishments are amazing as he often practiced by running alongside the train. Students interested in sports should find this biography captivating as a personal story and as an informative look at changes in society and culture during Lewis's lifetime.–Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro

BLACKLOCK, Dyan. Olympia: Warrior Athletes of Ancient Greece. illus. by David Kennett. Walker. 2001. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8027-8790-3; RTE $18.85. ISBN 978-0-8027-8791-0.
Gr 4-7–An enticing look at the ancient Olympics. At first glance, the book resembles a graphic novel-each page looks like a jumble of illustrations accompanied by several lines of text along the bottom. Closer inspection reveals one or several uniquely rendered, fascinating black-and-white or full-color illustrations per page. The depictions are brilliant-naked athletes participate in races, wrestling, and so on. All illustrate multiple aspects of an event or the background information provided. The text begins with a succinct explanation of the origin of the games, all related to warfare, and all honoring the Greek gods. It discusses who the eligible contestants were and who could attend. Each of the five days of events is covered with mention of some of the ceremonies, rituals, and animal sacrifices that took place. Athletic events including the pankration, a violent form of wrestling that had just two rules-no biting or eye gouging-are also considered. A well-defined map reveals where the action took place. There is also a clear, less colorful map of Olympia itself. Recent titles such as Hadyn Middleton's Ancient Olympic Games (Heinemann Library, 2001) and Stewart Ross's The Original Olympics (Peter Bedrick, 2001) pale in comparison to this clever introduction.–Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

KRISTY, Davida. Coubertin’s Olympics. Lerner. 1995. PLB $26.63. ISBN 978-0-8225-3327-6.
Gr 5 Up–Citius, Altius, Fortius. This motto of the Olympics describes the efforts of the Baron Pierre de Coubertin to reach his dream--reviving the Greek Olympic Games to an international level. The journey was not a smooth one. Kristy describes how this life goal was reached, the obstacles faced, and the influence of other people in the realization of the Olympics as we know them today. Coubertin's use of guile, intelligence, tact, and friends are clearly described. The 14 chapters are dotted with fair-to-excellent quality black-and-white photographs that add interest and illuminate the text. Special lavender colored inserts on the torch relay prior to the games, women's competition, the origins of the International Olympic Committee, and amateurism add additional interest. Anyone interested in the origin of the Olympics should enjoy this well-documented, informative, and competently written book.–Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreeboro

RICHARDS, Jean, retell. The First Olympic Games: A Gruesome Greek Myth with a Happy Ending. illus. by Kat Thacker. Millbrook. 2000. PLB $23.90. ISBN 978-0-7613-1311-3; pap. $10.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-2443-0.
Gr 1-4–The Olympic Games were begun as the result of one young man's triumph in a chariot race, or so it goes in this spirited retelling. Brought back from the dead by Zeus after being foolishly sacrificed in a stew by his father, Pelops heads out to find a kingdom. Directed by an old man to the kingdom of Elis, the young man engages the ruler in a chariot race. If he wins, he gets the hand of the princess. If he loses, he loses his life. Of course, he wins, the king is killed, and he marries the daughter, and becomes king himself. In memory of the dead monarch, Pelops and Hippodamia institute the Olympic Games. The straightforward retelling is marred on occasion by condescending language. This aside, the text reads aloud well, and is balanced by large, clear watercolor paintings that feature stylized figures and banners along the top and bottom of the pages reflecting the gods' actions on Earth and on Mount Olympus. Based on figures on Greek vases, the borders allow for further discussion of ancient Greek art and mythology. Especially good for introducing young children to the Olympic Games and their history, this is a solid complement to Cassandra Case's Run with Me, Nike! (Soundprints, 1999), which discusses the Games themselves in more detail.–Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA

STEVENSON, James. Mud Flat Olympics. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 1994. Tr $15. ISBN 978-0-688-12923-1.
K-Gr 3–A group of animal friends is holding its own Olympic games in this beginning chapter book. Episodes describe the Deepest Hole Contest (for moles), the All-Snail High Hurdles, the smelliest skunk contest, and the River-cross Freestyle. The delightfully funny events, which the creatures win with their wits rather than with their brawn, will please many youngsters. Stevenson's droll critter drawings, done in watercolor and pen and ink, accent and amplify the text. A book that's sure to be a hit with newly independent readers.–Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT