The Legendary Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias
February 1, 2014
Gr 5 Up-The Wallaces pair up to tackle a great historical sports figure in this engrossing biography. Mildred Ella "Babe" Didriksen Zaharias may not be as well-known as Babe Ruth, but she broke countless records, leaped over age-old boundaries, and paved the way for professional women athletes across several arenas. A champion basketball player, an Olympic track-and-field star, and career golfer, Babe didn't let obstacles stand in the way of her success. The authors detail her trajectory from the daughter of a Norwegian immigrant born in a working-class Texas neighborhood to record wins at the 1932 Olympics (still not broken to this day) to her last days as she fought cancer. Chapters are organized around the various hurdles she faced ("Babe vs. The Boys," "Babe vs. Tradition"). Text is broken up by illuminating quotations and dynamic period photos. Ample historical background is interlaced within the narrative, giving context that will help readers understand Didriksen Zaharias's lasting impact. Especially engaging are the anecdotes that illustrate the subject's faults as well as her strengths: Babe's showmanship and drive often alienated her teammates, but her strength and leadership also enabled her to provide for her ailing parents and impoverished siblings. Extensive back matter makes this title perfect for reports, and this exemplar text should be a staple for all collections looking to diversify their biography, sports, and women's history offerings.-Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
February 15, 2014
Born in 1911 to Norwegian immigrant parents in Port Arthur, Texas, from her earliest years, Babe Didrikson wanted to compete. She grew up in a time when voting rights for women were still a hot-button issue, and her desire for an athletic career flew in the face of society's expectations. Babe's ambition, self-promotion and outspoken manner often found her at odds with other competitors and members of the press. Despite this, her influence was wide-ranging, making an impact on team sports and the Olympic Games as well as encouraging the growth of women's golf. This energetic biography is at its best when it reveals how Babe's drive changed so many areas in women's sports even as society resisted their inclusion. The Wallaces handle the abrasive aspects of Babe's personality as frankly as they highlight her successes. The volume has a bold design and is lavishly illustrated with photographs; it provides a timeline, source notes, a bibliography, an index and a set of frequently asked questions that allows the writers to explore additional aspects of Babe's life without slowing the lively narrative. The life of the renowned athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias offers the combination of sports, entertainment and celebrity that will interest young readers, and the Wallaces play it well. (Biography. 9-14)
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March 1, 2014
Grades 5-8 Babe Didrikson Zaharias is perhaps the most accomplished athlete that young people have never heard of. She was an Olympic track star in the 1932 games, a noted professional basketball player, and a formative member of the LPGA. The daughter of Norwegian immigrants, Zaharias exhibited a natural athleticism that, when coupled with an unstoppable drive to be the best, captured the attention of the media, agents, and the public at large in the first half of the twentieth century. Though not a purposeful feminist, she redefined how female athletes were supposed to look and act. Her life story as drawn from contemporary news articles and interviews is fascinating and inspirational, and it is punctuated with photographs like Zaharias shooting targets with Amelia Earhart and giving Sam Snead tips on his golf swing. This is part sports journalism, part narrative nonfiction, and part proof that professional athletes can be exemplary role models for young people.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2014
Ten riveting "rounds" profile Babe Didrikson Zaharias, one of the world's most remarkable athletes. Born in 1911, Babe excelled at basketball, track and field, baseball, and (most notably) golf, setting world records and playing professionally at a time when women athletes were rare. Her lasting legacy includes co-founding today's Ladies Professional Golf Association. Plentiful archival photos show Babe in action. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.
(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)