libraryrobin's review
3.0
Alice's love for running and jumping leads her on a path to become the first African American to win Olympic gold.
nerfherder86's review
4.0
A beautifully illustrated book about Alice Coachman, the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal (in high jump). Floyd Cooper's pastel drawings have warm earth tones, on brown paper, and a luminous glow. The text is for older readers, with many details left out of shorter versions such as [b:Touch the Sky|764052|Touch the Sky|Robert Elmer|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1178144931s/764052.jpg|750134]. (I was particularly intrigued by the time she volunteered as a rescue runner after a 1940 tornado struck her hometown; "she moved so fast, she could deliver food while it was still hot." Great way to prove her running was a necessary skill!) The book includes mention of the racism she encountered while training and competing, and has nice endnotes with more details about her life and about the 1948 Olympics and how vastly different they were from today's modern Games. Also has a list of sources, including video and websites.
lara_lleverino's review
4.0
Wow what an inspiring book! I loved reading Alice's story. It was fun making connections that she went to Tuskegee Institute that were connected with Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver. The determination and fortitude of the people involved with that Institute is astounding! Excellent story and beautiful illustrations!
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