Tenacious

October 2, 2023
Inviting readers to “Take a journey with this crew./ Come discover what they do,” this straightforwardly informative authorial debut by two-time Paralympic gold medalist Prevo introduces 15 disabled athletes of varying ages and backgrounds. Highlighted athletes include child dancer Annabelle Geib, diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy at age one; Haiti-born WCMX champion Delmace Mayo, who sustained an early spinal cord injury; and partially paralyzed adaptive surfer Meira Va’a Nelson, raised in Western Samoa. For each athlete featured, a spread offers an introductory rhyming couplet, brief biography, and “Daily Challenge” and “Daily Joy.” Close-up, detailed illustrations by MBD against simple backgrounds highlight each individual engaging in their chosen activity or sport, often with adaptive equipment. An author’s note and preferred language note conclude this intersectionally inclusive portrait of the ever-growing world of adaptive sports. Ages 4–10.

April 15, 2023
Profiles of 15 disabled athletes. A racially diverse "crew" of softball and basketball players, handcyclists, and more navigates disabilities such as limb difference, spina bifida, and visual impairment. Adult subjects include Samoan adaptive surfing champion Meira Va'a Nelson, partially paralyzed at age 14; children include Annabelle Geib, a White-presenting middle schooler who has spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and dances ballet, tap, and hip-hop using a walker and leg braces. MBD's expressive, energetic portraits of athletes in motion, overlaid by brief, italicized rhyming text, nearly fill each single-page profile. Text curving across the page urges, "Pick up speed before the pit. / Then take your leap! And never quit" as John Register, a Black Paralympic long jumper leaps across the page, his prosthetic outstretched. Each spread provides more biographical details and includes quotes from the subjects, who share their daily joys and challenges. The intended audience is unclear. The rhyming text appears to address younger readers, while the wordier sections, with their complex, informative sentences, clearly target older readers. Older readers may find the singsong rhymes stilted, and younger readers may not understand such jargon-tinged lines as "Drop in, pop it, grind the rail. Take a risk! Let skills prevail." However, older readers who can reconcile the uneven tone will enjoy meeting these talented athletes. In an author's note, Prevo, herself a disabled athlete, explains concepts such as ableism and includes notes on inclusive language. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An eclectic, encouraging lineup. (resources, glossary, timeline, bibliography) (Collective biography. 7-10)

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Starred review from June 1, 2023
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* This upbeat offering promises profiles of 15 disabled athletes but delivers even more. The picture-book format allows for cheerful, energetic illustrations of Paralympians and professional disabled athletes in action, and supports rhyming lyrics that swirl around the participants, celebrating their efforts and skill (""Sprinting meters, set your pace! / Push yourself with pride and grace""). Five or six standard text paragraphs follow with biographical details: the nature of each athlete's disability, how they were introduced to adaptive sports, summaries of their careers (including medals and world records; many excel in multiple areas), and personal insights offered through their descriptions of a ""Daily Challenge"" and a ""Daily Joy."" The athletes represent a diverse group, from a middle-school dancer and motivational speaker with cerebral palsy to a high-school wheelchair motocrosser. Some players whose adaptive athletic careers started 20 or 30 years ago are now coaches or disability advocates. The author is a three-time women's basketball Paralympian gold-medal winner, and back matter includes her suggestions for preferred language choices, along with a glossary, a Paralympics time line, resources, and a bibliography. Readers will come away with an enhanced understanding of the scope of adaptive sports (BMX, surfing, CrossFit) and great respect for these dedicated, tenacious athletes.

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July 28, 2023

Gr 1-4-There are a lot of positives to describe this book, which shines a light on athletes with disabilities. The Special Olympics has been around for many years, but the sports are ones that were there from its inception; swimming, tennis, cycling, basketball, and figure skating, among them. The games meant a lot to many disabled children and teens and still do today. This book showcases sports that would be classified as extreme sports today. Running hurdles, sprinting, visually-impaired skiing, wheelchair baseball, hockey, and mountain hiking are just a few. In each description, a daily challenge is cited as well as a daily joy which helps readers understand what the athlete must do to play the sport, and the joy that comes from the accomplishment. The artwork is vibrant and full of energy and forward momentum. The rhyming text is the weakest element of the book. It is predictable and pedantic, and a weak link compared to the other elements. The back matter is very strong. It provides a generous time line of the Paralympics and describes each sport fully. VERDICT An eye-opening look at disabled athletes who turn the stigma of disability on its head. Libraries looking to add titles on Special Olympics will find this worth buying.-Joan Kindig

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