Synopses & Reviews
When Babe Didrikson Zaharias set herself a goal, she was bound to achieve it. From a very young age, she was determined to become the greatest woman athlete of the twentieth century. Through her world-record setting performances at the 1932 Olympic Games and her later dominance of professional golf, her never-take-no-for-an-answer attitude brought her an unprecedented mix of fame and scorn. This intimate and extensively researched biography chronicles her incredible triumphs against adversity, beginning on the childhood playgrounds of her rough Texas neighborhood and ending with her courageous final battle with cancer. The book also includes an author’s note, a bibliography, source notes, and numerous archival images.
Review
andquot;Babe Didrikson Zaharis is perhaps the most accomplished athlete that young people have never heard of. . . Her life story as drawn from contemporary news articles and interviews is fascinating and inspirational, and it is punctuated with photographs like Zaharis 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.andquot; --Booklist
Review
andquot;. . . 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.andquot; --Kirkus Reviews
Review
andquot;The Wallaces pair up to tackle a great historical sports figure in this engrossing biography. . . Ample historical background is interlaced within the narrative, giving context that will help readers understand Didrikson Zaharias's lasting impact. Especially engaging are the anecdotes that illustrate the subject's faults as well as her strengths. . . 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.andquot; --School Library Journal
Synopsis
Famous female athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias had one driving goal: to become the greatest athlete who ever lived. But there was more to Babe than just sports. Babe had a meteoric rise -- to famed basketball player, Olympic medalist, and top female golfer. But her life included many controversies surrounding her upbringing, personality, marriage, and even her early death. This action-packed true story of a woman ESPN ranks as #10 of the top North American athletes of the twentieth century is a fascinating biography of a historical sports figure. Ideal for Women's History Month, the book includes personal and professional photographs, quotes, a bibliography, and an index.
Synopsis
Babe Didrikson Zaharias had one driving goal: to become the greatest athlete who ever lived. And she made good on that promise with a meteoric rise to famed basketball player, Olympic medalist, and top female golfer. But there was more to Babe than just sports. Noted novelists and sportswriters Rich and Sandra Wallace expose the many controversies surrounding this famous female athleteher upbringing, personality, marriage, and even her early death. This action-packed story of a womanESPN ranks as #10 of the top North American athletes of the twentieth century also includes personal and professional photographs, quotes, a bibliography, and an index.
About the Author
Rich Wallace is the award-winning writer of many novels for children and teenagers, including Sports Camp, Wrestling Sturbridge, War and Watermelon, and the popular series Winning Season and Kickers. He is a former senior editor of Highlights magazine and writes the popular feature The Timbertoes for that publication. Wrestling Sturbridge was a selection in YALSA's Top 10 Best Books for Young Adults. He and his wife, Sandra Neil Wallace, live in Keene, NH. Visit richwallacebooks.com.