RELENTLESS SPIRIT, Golden Goggles, Missy Franklin, and a New Swimsuit

Seems like we just welcomed the autumn equinox and already the holiday shopping season is officially upon us. Do you have any particular shopping habits? I have a tendency to get sidetracked while doing research and come across one link that leads to another and then I land on a website and buy something for myself OR I have been known to shop with this method: buy something for a friend or family member and then buy one for me. Which leads to my purchase of a Missy Franklin Signature Speedo swimsuit for myself. How did I get to this online purchase? Well, I’ll go backward to Tuesday morning and share my chain of thoughts/actions:

* Need to write an entry for Sporty Girl Books blog.

* Hmmm, are there any female sporting news or events happening around this time of the year? It's a little early for recommending holiday book picks, isn't it?

* Scanning my Twitter feed I see that Monday night, the Golden Goggle Awards were presented by the USA Swimming Foundation to honor outstanding U.S. swimmers and their achievements from this past year. Simone Manuel won Female Race of the Year – watching that "live" this past summer was incredible and I knew the historical victory would inspire so many girls who see themselves in Simone.

* Who were the other women winners? They were all deserving honorees: Elizabeth Beisel (Team Leadership), Lilly King (Breakout Swimmer of the Year) and Katie Ladecky (Female Swimmer of the Year).

* I recently reviewed a book by Missy Franklin and recall she won a few Golden Goggle honors. A quick reference check reveals she was awarded Female Athlete of the Year (2011, 2012) and Breakout Performer of the Year (2010).

 * I pause, get a coffee refill, and peruse my email and whaddya know, there’s a notice from Booklist Online so I check to see if my latest review has been published. Yep! The November 15, 2016 issue of Booklist has my review of RELENTLESS SPIRIT: THEUNCONVENTIONAL RAISING OF A CHAMPION by Missy Franklin and her parents, DA and Dick Franklin. This up-beat memoir by Missy along with her parents is inspirational and a thoughtful reflection on how - together as a family - they achieved a healthy balance in life and sports. It may be subtitled unconventional but it's a model that worked successfully for their family.
To read the Booklist review: www.booklistonline.com/

* I’m curious if Missy went to the Golden Goggles and what she’s up to so I check her Twitter feed.

* Interesting! SpeedoUSA has launched the “Missy Franklin Signature Series” of swimwear. So naturally, I’ve got to check ‘em out!

And, that’s how it happens . . . from deciding on a topic to writing a blog entry to buying a new swimsuit or the other way around. RELENTLESS SPIRIT is scheduled for release in early December – keep an eye out for it! And I guess it's not too early to share this as an ideal gift to give to a sporty girl or yourself - a book by a delightful, grounded role model raised by two extraordinary parents!

Ice-Skating Lessons: Dream Big, Get Back Up When You Fall, Celebrate Life

By Brenda Barrera

Flipping through TV channels this past weekend I caught some of the Progressive Skate America, a good preview of the 2017 U.S. Nationals coming up on January 14-22 in Kansas City. Then yesterday, I came across this video interview with Olympic gold medalist and beloved figure skating commentator, Scott Hamilton, who is now battling his third brain tumor.  As a longtime fan, my heart sank.  His courage and matter-of-fact demeanor are not surprising to anyone who has followed his career.

In the interview, he references fellow Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, and they show a clip from the 1991 U. S. Figure Skating Championships where she took a hard fall at the beginning of her program and immediately got up, continued her routine, and finished with a joyful smile. Hamilton noted the life lesson which he shares with beginner ice-skaters: you will fall and make mistakes, but the more times you get up, the stronger you will be for each future obstacle.

Since retiring from the sport, Yamaguchi has added children’s book writer to her impressive resume, beginning with her delightful picture book, DREAM BIG LITTLE PIG about Poppy the Pig who discovers not every activity (ballet, singing) is going to be her calling yet she follows her bliss and pursues ice-skating, which leads to mastering jumps and spins. She attracts a huge fan club and even makes the cover of the “New Pork Times.”

Life obstacles may sideline us, and we may stumble while attempting to twirl through unforeseen circumstances, but as Hamilton shares, it’s how many times you get up that makes you stronger. He chooses to celebrate life. Yamaguchi’s Poppy reminds us to dream big, never to give up, listen to your personal fans (family and friends who believe in you) and keep pursuing your passions.

My Banned Books Week Pick: ATHLETIC SHORTS by Chris Crutcher

By Brenda Barrera

September 25 through October 1, 2016 marks Banned Books Week, a celebration of the freedom to read and an opportunity to create awareness about the issues of book censorship and the importance of our first amendment. Yep, it’s 2016, and it's hard to believe but there are still challenges to have books removed from libraries and schools. Here’s a statistic from the American Library Association: more than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982 when Banned Books Week was launched.

It still boggles my mind when I see the long list of award-winning titles from classics to contemporary bestsellers on lists of Banned Books. When I share these lists with my bibliophile friends they are typically aghast. I wondered if there were any sports-related titles and noticed on the “100 most frequently challenged books: 1990-1999” down at #63 was a young adult (YA) title: ATHLETIC SHORTS by Chris Crutcher.

Crutcher’s body of work is outstanding and typically involves male athletes and sports, but the themes are universal and relevant to sporty girls, too. I downloaded a copy of ATHLETIC SHORTS and re-read a story featuring a female athlete, “The Other Pin.” The main characters are from Crutcher’s book, THE CRAZY HORSE ELECTRIC GAME. In this short story, Petey Shropshrire is a high school wrestler who is goaded by a friend into agreeing to wrestle an opponent no one else wants to take on, Chris Byers. Why? We learn a few pages into the story that Chris is not a typical competitor. Chris is a girl. She developed an interest in wrestling because her older brothers were state champions. In fact, she learned takedowns before she was in kindergarten and by middle school was recruited to join the boy's team. Petey and Chris discover something else they  have in common: both have faced ridicule for being the one to wrestle a girl and a girl who  has faced ridicule for being a wrestler and not afraid to take on a boy. I'm not sure if I agree with the ending and their match, but it is an interesting story.

While “The Other Pin” may not be the story that provokes challenges in this six-story collection, here’s something to think about: if ATHLETIC SHORTS were to be removed from a library book shelf or recommended reading list, how many girls who are wrestlers or who are interested in wrestling and want to read about someone like themselves, would be deprived of this opportunity? Something to reflect upon during Banned Books Week, as when we celebrate free expression and the freedom to read.

Additional Information:

ALA Banned Books Week (www.ala.org/bbooks/bannedbooksweek)

and (www.bannedbooksweek.org)

Chris Crutcher video (on censorship)

Valuable Life Lessons per The Road Less Taken by Kathryn Bertine

By Brenda Barrera

Kathryn Bertine might not be a household name, but if you support girls + sports + books, she’s someone to know. Not only is Bertine a professional cyclist, but she has competed at a professional level in: ice-skating, triathlon, and rowing. In addition to being a versatile athlete, she’s also an activist – fighting for equality on and off the playing field. But wait . . . she’s also a documentary filmmaker capturing the “passion, pitfalls, and power of women’s professional cycling” in her documentary film, “Half the Road.” And, oh yeah, add author of two books, AS GOOD AS GOLD (2010) and THE ROAD LESS TAKEN: LESSONS FROM A LIFE SPENT CYCLING (2014).

I was fortunate to meet Bertine at a screening of her documentary, “Half the Road” at the College of William & Mary a few years ago and treasure my autographed copy of THE ROAD LESS TAKEN. Today marks the start of September and that means many teachers and students are trading their flip-flops for laced up shoes and heading to the classroom instead of the seashore. Here’s a gentle reminder: settling down with a good book doesn’t have to end with summer vacation.

THE ROAD LESS TAKEN is a thoughtful, provocative collection of essays and espnW features that are short, making for an easy read. Bertine shares lessons gleaned from her years as a professional cyclist, a tough existence with meager pay; where the stresses of finding a homestay and couch to sleep on in a foreign country are typical for female professional cyclists. Many chapters revolve around the sport of cycling and trying to qualify for a spot at the Olympic games, but several are about personal, everyday experience that young adult readers and older will enjoy.

A few of my favorite chapters include the humorous, “A Cyclists Letter to Santa,” and a thoughtful reflection on Lance Armstrong in, “The Guy in Yellow” where I found myself nodding in agreement. How is it possible to feel so much dislike and yet empathy for someone who is so polarizing? She shares her perspective as a cyclist, a female cyclist, a journalist, and a person and sums it up: he is a flawed human being. I agree.

You don’t have to squeeze into spandex bike shorts and maneuver cobblestones to appreciate the moving chapter, “The Bonus Wife,” which shares how she fell in love with her husband, newly widowed and the treatment by mutual friends that led her to study how society deals with grief. Many chapters explore aspects of inequality in sport, but an inspirational article on retired NBA player, Adonal Foyle, teaching ‘growl power’ to young girls – that is, take charge, be confident, and go after what you want. 

Bertine reveals her vulnerabilities alongside unwavering passion for sport, equality, and tackling life’s many hills. There’s plenty of ‘growl power’ in these pages to inspire readers to attack athletic challenges and move beyond everyday obstacles.

For more information:

Kathryn Bertine website: www.kathrynbertine.com

Half the Road trailer

2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games: What Books do these 12 Olympians Like to Read?

What books did these Olympians pack in their suitcase, plus a few book-related tidbits about those we will be cheering for in the next two weeks!

By Brenda Barrera

Summer reading. What images does this conjure: curling up on a chair overlooking a tranquil lake, checking off the titles on the list your teacher handed out in May, or slipping a paperback best-seller into your carry-on bag as you travel across the country? Your answers are likely shared by some of the women representing Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.  I enjoy reading get-to-know-this-athlete-better profiles. I believe it helps to build a fan base when we discover what inspires an athlete or motivates them to muscle through tough competition. It’s also nice to learn about a shared passion like the joy of reading a good book.

Archery – Mackenzie Brown

The recent popularity of this sport can be credited to the books and film, The Hunger Games. Here’s what Brown had to say about the popular series: “I was a fan of THE HUNGER GAMES because I read the books. It’s cool for people to see my name as the girl on fire and also get an interest in archery, even if it is from 'The Hunger Games.' Any interest in archery is good for our sport.”

Source: http://www.teamusa.org

Cycling – Sarah Hammer (track)

Hammer is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and World Champion in track cycling. In 2003, she quit the sport but returned a year later with renewed purpose and what a mark she has made since then. Her bio says she is an avid reader as does her profile in Classroom Champions. 

Favorite things to do off the bike:

1. Take my German Shepherd Dolça for walks

2. Read a good book

3. Go out to nice dinners with my husband

4. Travel

5. Drink coffee

Source: http://teamtwenty16.com

Source: www.classroomchampions.org

Diving – Kassidy Cook

According to her TeamUSA profile, Cook “enjoys cooking and reading.” She must know the Harry Potter books inside and out because she claims she can recite any of the Harry Potter spells. Hmmm, which ones do you think she would use in Rio . . . rictusempra, orchideous, riddikulus?

Source: www.teamusa.org

Gymnastics – Laurie Hernandez

Get ready for a lot of TV coverage on this 16-year-old gymnastics phenom who still manages to make time for fun by learning dances from YouTube and she also likes to read. THE MAZE RUNNER is her favorite book and she also likes to write poetry.

Source: www.nbcolympics.com

Judo – Kayla Harrison

Kayla was the first U.S. athlete to win a gold medal in judo at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Can she repeat? In addition to her inspirational accomplishments on the judo mat, Harrison is a survivor of sexual abuse and is writing not one, but two books: a memoir and one with her foundation, Fearless Foundation.

Source: http://parade.com

Rowing – Megan Kalmoe (Quadruple Sculls)

Kalmoe is a now a three-time Olympic rower and 2012 bronze medalist who also enjoys reading and writing. Her blog is well-known in the rowing community, and she recently wrote an entry, “Stop Trying to Ruin theOlympics For Us” which has generated quite a few comments. Kalmoe states she wants to travel and begin to write a book when her profession as a rower ends.

Source: www.nbcchicago.com

Shooting – Kim Rhode (skeet)

Rhode was ten years old when she discovered the sport of skeet shooting and was a world champion at age 13! According to a profile in US Magazine she collects first edition children’s books, and her bookshelves must be pretty darn full – she has about 2,000 books!

Source: www.usmagazine.com

Soccer – Carli Lloyd

According to her website, Lloyd’s best soccer moment was winning the 2015 World Cup and scoring a hat trick in the final. I have a feeling her best writing moment will be coming up shortly. Lloyd will be joining other soccer superstars like Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm, Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, and Abby Wambach who have written memoirs. Her forthcoming memoir, WHEN NOBODY WAS WATCHING, is due this fall.

Source: www.carlilloyd.com/book

Swimming – Missy Franklin

Curious about Franklin’s reading habits? Well here’s the scoop on her Rio reading list per Travel and Leisure Magazine. “I’m a huge reader,” says Franklin. “A few days before a trip, I have a great time researching what everyone is reading and picking the books for my flight.” Her books include: AFTER YOU by JoJo Moyes, COURT OF MIST AND FURY by Sarah J. Maas, ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr, and KISSES FROM KATIE by Katie Davis.

Source: www.travelandleisure.com

Tennis – Serena Williams

Williams is now a four-time Olympian who has won gold in both singles (2012) and doubles (2000, 2008, 2012). Reading is listed among her hobbies and her favorite author is Maya Angelou.  I found this fun YouTube video, “73 Questions with Serena Williams | Vogue” and one question was: “What’s one book that made a lasting impression on you?” Her answer: LEAN IN by Sheryl Sandberg.  Also, according to USA Today, she arrived in Rio and had a Harry Potter book with her for the flight.

Source: www.youtube.com

Source: www.usatoday.com

Track & Field – Brianna Rollins (100m hurdles)

In her family, Rollins is the oldest with six younger brothers, so it’s hard to imagine how anyone would have been able to find a quiet corner to read while growing up. Rollins, a three-time NCAA Champion, will be making her Olympic debut in Rio says she stays focused by reading self-help books — they keep her positive.

Source: http://news.nike.com

Track & Field – Abbey D’Agostino (5000m)

D’Agostino, who ran for Dartmouth, is one of the most decorated athletes in Ivy League history. FloTrack did a great interview question asking her who she would have dinner with (living or dead) and why? One of her picks included: “Don Miller (the author of my favorite book, BLUE LIKE JAZZ) because his story touched the core of me during a challenging time in my life. It’s raw, honest, and incredibly profound…”

Source: www.flotrack.org

Of course, the book you know they would all like to read is an Olympic record book with their name and outstanding 2016 Olympic performance recorded. Cheers to all competing this summer in Rio!

Book Review: Miss Mary Reporting: The True Story of Sportswriter Mary Garber

I recall learning about Mary Garber several years ago when I joined the Association of Women in Sports Media (AWSM) and read about their highest award named in her honor. I should have known about Garber from my college days, and maybe I did but simply forgot, but now thanks to one of my favorite picture book authors, Sue Macy, more readers will become familiar with this inspirational pioneer. 

To begin one has to go back to 1944, well before Erin Andrews, Leslie Visser or Christine Brennan became household names, when women went to work in factories and businesses to fill in for men who were off fighting in WWII. Garber, who discovered a passion for sports (especially baseball and football) at a young age, was writing for a newspaper and moved to the sports department to fill the staffing void.  Her work was well received and she was assigned back to the sports desk after the war ended. She covered sports legends such as her role model, Jackie Robinson, and non-traditional events like Soap Box Derby races. In 1986, she retired and in 2008 was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. 

The media plays a critical role in shaping how we view and perceive each other.  Garber is credited for bringing equality to sports reporting—a great athlete is a great athlete just as a well-written sports story (written by a man or woman) can inspire girls as well as boys. A groundbreaker, Garber paved the way for female reporters to gain equal access to locker rooms to interview athletes. 

Once again Macy has contributed to preserving the legacy of another sporty girl. Garber was a “tiny bit of a girl” who played quarterback for her Buena Vista Devils and followed her passion becoming one of our first women sports reporters. Her life story serves as an example for girls, who not only like to play sports but also document the drama and action, to choose a career in sports media.

I have also been a fan of award-winning illustrator C.F. Payne since I read Brave Harriet which he illustrated. His work has a timeless Norman Rockwell feel that compliments the text. 

Shop Indie Bookstores

Official Sue Macy website

Cool! Fans can also “Like” MISS MARY REPORTING on the book's Facebook page!

Book Review: KID ATHLETES: TRUE TALES OF CHILDHOOD FROM SPORTS LEGENDS

Most elite athletes have inspirational stories of how they became a world-class competitor. For some it’s natural ability plus determination, for others it’s childhood circumstances paired with unlikely opportunities. KIDATHLETES by David Stabler and illustrated by Doogie Horner is a part of the Kid Legends series and this collection of tales of sixteen famous athletes including these five female pioneers who are not only relatable but also sure to inspire sporty girls:

Billie Jean King (The Girl Who Ran on Racket Power)

Danica Patrick (Girl without Fear)

Gabrielle Douglas (Grace under Pressure)

Babe Didrikson Zaharias (A Girl for All Seasons)

Julie Krone (And the Marvelous Mischievous Pony)

I’ve always enjoyed “did you know” articles and books that share lesser known facts and tidbits. I have to say that KID ATHLETES, a biographical collection of famous men and women, did not disappoint.

NASCAR driver Danica Patrick may have been squeamish around bugs and swimming in the ocean as a little girl but at age nine a fearless Patrick discovered the thrill of driving fast in a go-kart. I learned something new; I did not know that her mom had worked as a snowmobile mechanic or that she left high school to move to England and join a race-racing team.

Before the infamous Bobby Riggs tennis match, Billie Jean King had to overcome roadblocks to competition placed by tennis official Perry Jones (also known as a “czar”) to compete. She also scrimped and saved loose change to buy her first tennis racket ($8).  I do have a critique with the opening of this entry: “Before Billie Jean King, tennis was a sport played by wealthy women in frilly white dresses She made it possible for anyone, from any background, to dream of one day winning the U.S. Open or Wimbledon championship.” While Billie Jean King certainly broke down barriers, Althea Gibson was winning Championships and breaking down barriers years earlier.

 

How many kids are drawn to a sport via the influenced of a sibling? Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas learned how to do a cartwheel from her older sister and that eventually led down a path to a gold medal in gymnastics at the 2012 Olympic Games. Throughout her career she shows poise and strength on gymnastics apparatus but choosing to ignore several incidents of bullying shows a different type of poise and strength.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias, considered the greatest female athlete of the twentieth century, was tough from the get-go – as a baby she defied the constrained of her crib and I doubt many athletes also could add to their resume they performed with a traveling circus.  

The first woman to be inducted into the Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame, Julie Krone was drawn to a pony named Filly as a child. This is a heartwarming tale that comes full circle and a delightful introduction to this trailblazing jockey, especially timely now that we’re in Triple Crown season.

What do these women have in common? They are all amazing athletes but first they were just a kid who you might have sat next to you in third grade or who lived in the house down the street. In addition to the easy-to-read narrative, the humorous drawings make this an entertaining, enjoyable read.

GOOD SPORTS and FASTEST GAME ON TWO FEET Showcase Sports + Poetry

My last post was in advance of National Poetry Month and now that we’re midway through the month that celebrates prose, rhyme, and verse I couldn’t resist sharing two additional titles: GOOD SPORTS by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Chris Raschka and THE FASTEST GAME ON TWO FEET by Alice Low and illustrated by John O’Brien.

Jack Prelutsky was named our nation’s first Children’s Poet Laureate in 2006 and like many who grew up near Yankee Stadium (or any similar stadium) is a baseball fan. GOOD SPORTS is filled with delightful rhymes about running, jumping, and throwing. It includes team sports like baseball, basketball, soccer plus gymnastics, surfing, and karate. Girls are sure to identify with sports they are currently playing or would like to try. The illustrations by award-winning, Raschka are both full of motion and whimsical. While sports stories often focus on scoring the touchdown or finishing first, my favorite poems reflected the in-between moments of participation like the daydreaming swimmer who isn’t sinking to the bottom but can make it to the opposite end of the pool or the basketball player longing for the day they can dunk, “When I grow three feet taller.”

I readily admit to not knowing the history for several of the 19 sports featured in Alice Low’s THE FASTEST GAME ON TWO FEET AND OTHER POEMS ABOUT HOW SPORTS BEGAN. Like me, readers will be fascinated to learn that the origin of soccer goes back to kicking a skull around an old battlefield, or Mary, Queen of Scots, was likely the first female golfer, and the first skiers probably strapped animal bones to their shoes to move around faster! Each sport is introduced with the origin of the name and brief history followed by a poem that reflects the history. While some poems worked better than others, the combination of all plus informative endnotes makes this a must-have for any sports collection. Low is not only a writer but also a sporty girl with fond memories of learning sports at camp and at five feet three inches tall, she was the captain of her basketball team. The ink and watercolor drawings are captivating. I found myself flipping back over the pages to view all the fine details. One of my favorite illustrations was for ice skater Sonya Henie, “Girl in White.” Look for the cursive message she skates on ice. My only critique – likely due to, alas, getting older – is the small typeface on the introductions of each sport. The dark background color and small font size made some pages difficult to read.

Both of these picture books capture the joyful experiences that come with play and the illustrations compliment the text beautifully. Each author and illustrator shine a light on the world of play and word play.

Spring Training for Poetry Month: Sports Poems

“There is only one rule to follow when writing poetry: There are no rules!”

—Douglas Florian, author + artist

Springtime. Gotta love it! March 20 is the first day of the vernal equinox, otherwise known as the first day of spring. I’m pleased to report my daffodils are sprouting, already glimpsed my first robin, and ran in shorts ‘n t-shirt last week. April is around the corner and that means it’s almost Poetry Month, a 30-day celebration and opportunity to promote poetry. April is also a big month for my beloved Chicago marking opening day for the Cubs at Wrigley Field (11^th) and the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field (8^th).

When it comes to sports, poetry has been used to document events but also to inspire sports teams and encourage athletes. In other words, the art form of poetry can be used to motivate and bolster confidence. Trying to find a sports poetry book, I was feeling a little flustered when bam, outta left field I came across the picture book, POEM RUNS by Douglas Florian. An award-winning children’s book author and artist, Florian works across different mediums. Initially, what caught my eye was the baseball instead of the letter “O” in the title and the stunning primary colored illustrations, or rather, in this case, paintings.  I was immediately drawn to the read aloud, rhythm of the fifteen short poems.

Turning the first few pages I silently whispered, please let this collection include images of girls who want to see themselves catching a pop fly or lunging for a line drive. I was not disappointed. I turned to “Our Slugger” and smiled at this verse, “Our slugger can zing / Each pitch you may hurl. / And one other thing: / Our slugger’s a girl.”

The artwork includes boys and girls, plus shows diversity. Since baseball was not (ahem, is not) my best sport I chuckled and could relate to the girl in “Right Fielder” who might be lazy, “But I know how / To pick a daisy.” Toward the end, “Poem Run” about the batter who smashes a hit and races home to write a poem to capture the moment inspired me.  For April, in celebration of Poetry Month, I’ve jotted down a goal for myself: write three new sports poems.

Do you have a favorite sports poem? We'd like to hear from you, please feel free to share in the comments section below.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

National Poetry Month - www.poets.org

30 Ways to Celebrate Poetry Month - www.poets.org/national-poetry-month

For Teachers

Poetry Month Activities - www.readwritethink.org

Scholastic: Poetry Writing with Jack Prelutsky - teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry

Favorite Poem Project - www.favoritepoem.org/teachers.html

About Douglas Florian

www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/douglas-florian

http://floriancafe.blogspot.com

2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials + Review: FIRST LADIES OF RUNNING

Did you get a chance to watch the U.S. Olympic marathon trials this past Saturday? I was glued to the TV coverage and also followed the action on Facebook and Twitter. What a treat to watch the savvy race strategy unfold, like Desiree Linden holding back until it counted and at mile 26 motored by pre-race favorite Shalane Flanagan to finish second. Kara Goucher showed guts fighting to the finish despite knowing she would likely take the unenviable fourth place. Yes, I teared up watching eventual champion Amy Cragg urge her struggling teammate Flanagan to dig deep and keep moving during those final miles. Flanagan collapsed into her arms after crossing the line to earn the last spot for Team USA.

Girls who watched on TV, online, or along the Los Angeles streets most likely were unaware of the battles fought to allow women to compete in long distance events or the efforts made to get the first women’s Olympic marathon in 1984. Honoring the women who paved the way for athletes like Amy, Desi, Shalane, and Kara is the subject of FIRST LADIES OF RUNNING (Rodale Press, April 2016) by noted Runner’s World editor-at-large and accomplished runner, Amby Burfoot. I received a review copy this weekend, aha, perfect timing for the trials and this Olympic year.

Readers may be familiar with Kathrine Switzer’s 1967 Boston Marathon where the race director tried to remove her from the street during the race or Joan Benoit’s historic Olympic marathon victory in 1984, but equally important are the 20 additional women profiled. Each trailblazer and role model forged the path for the thousands of girls and women who participate today not only in their school programs, but road races across the country.

Just like many girls who run today, most of the women in these captivating essays recount their first foray into the sport during their teenage years. During the 50s, 60s, and 70s and even into the 80s these women encountered numerous obstacles such as girls and women not being allowed to enter races, no girl’s track or cross country teams, and a paucity of financial support. Can you imagine wanting to run a race but having to start on the sidewalk or hide behind a bush before jumping in with all the men on the street?

Olympians Mary Decker Slaney, Francie Larrieu Smith, and Grete Waitz are recognizable and significant contributors in the sport. Equally important are the women breaking down barriers who might be less known, like Julia Chase (first official female road racer, 1961); Merry Lepper (first woman to run a marathon, 1963); Nina Kuscsik (first official women’s winner of the Boston Marathon, 1972); and Marilyn Bevans (first national-class black female marathoner). Fans of Shalane Flanagan will want to turn to the essay on Cheryl Bridges (hint: like mother, like daughter). Hard core elites might sniff at seeing Oprah Winfrey featured, but without a doubt, her 1994 Marine Corps Marathon (4:29:20) propelled a movement in sports unlike any other. She inspired girls and women who are not elites or even top age groupers, but willing to put in the effort and deserving of the rewards that come with personal accomplishments like finishing a marathon.

FIRST LADIES OF RUNNING includes an Afterward: Where They Are Now, an Appendix of additional women pioneers, and a Timeline of women’s running history from 1958-1994. This is an outstanding contribution to the world of sporty girl books and just in time for April, a revered month in the world of sports, when men and now thousands of women will run together in our country’s revered footrace: the Boston Marathon.

Leading the Way with Books that Let Readers Know, “That could be me!”

I was watching an espnW video on Impact25 that highlights 25 women who led the way and had the greatest impact on women’s sports this past year. I clicked the pause button when it showed little girls straining over the barricades at the U.S. Women’s World Cup champions ticker tape parade to catch a glimpse of their heroes. The newscaster observed they no doubt thought to themselves, “That could be me…that will be me!”

It was another reminder of how important for girls of all abilities and diversity to see themselves in all media formats that show sports like movies, news outlets and, yes, books. Which leads to an important date coming up: February 3. This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), a national observance celebrating the achievements of women and girls in sports. Across the nation, communities and organizations will be hosting events to highlight their female athletes.

This year’s NGWSD theme is Leading the Way. I thought how could we help our blog readers get involved? Many of you are not only fans of sporty girl books but are already leading the way as authors, coaches, educators, and parents who support and encourage girls and women in sports. My hope is to increase awareness of this annual celebration.

Get started at the official website: NGWSD.ORG

* Click on Resources to find a link to their free Event Action Kit with activity ideas like the Book Club (below), a sample media alert and press release (note: helpful sample formats!), poster and logos, plus information on Title IX.

* Click on Events and see if there are any events in your region. Many of those listed are sports clinics and several are basketball-related. If you are an author of a book for sporty girls, email the contact person and offer to read a chapter or provide a copy as a raffle prize. Another idea, do a write-up for your local newspaper and be sure to include a high-resolution image of your book and your website in your byline. If you have a social media platform, share the celebration and promote the event with the hashtag #NGWSD.

Several of the NGWSD events are clinics with collegiate women athletes sharing their time and talent with younger girls, something I always like to see since it binds the local community and has a positive impact. These two events listed below in Minnesota and New York immediately stood out because they involve books and writing.

Minnesota - Free activities for children in grades K-6 includes a mini basketball camp and a book reading by author Shelly Boyum-Breen (Shelly Bean the Sports Queen series) is scheduled for Saturday, February 6 at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN.

For more information: www.csbblazers.com

New York - Calling all young writers! The Department of Sport Studies at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY is sponsoring their 7th annual NGWSD Essay Contest for children in these divisions: K-2; Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, and Team. The contest format includes a suggested theme and word count.

For more information: http://sportforeverygirl.com/essay-contest-guidelines

Were you aware of National Girls and Women in Sports Day? Are you participating in an activity to promote and celebrate NGWSD? Share in the comments section below!

Sailing: Let the Water and the Wind Take You Away

Sailing in December? But sailing is a summer sport, right? Well, down under it’s summer right now and a few weeks ago, some of the top U.S. Paralympic sailors competed in the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships in Melbourne, Australia. We’re heading into an Olympic/Paralympic year, and the Olympic Sailing competition will take place August 5-20, 2016 and the Paralympic Sailing events will take place from September 7-18, 2016.

I came across a couple of inspiring videos from a documentary, “Uncharted Waters” following athletes on U.S. Sailing Team Sperry and featuring Annie Haeger, Briana Provancha, Sarah Everhart-Skeels, and Cindy Walker, who are vying for a spot on Team USA (see links to videos below). Long before each of these sailors learned the difference between a bow and a mast, an American named Eleanor “Ellen” Prentiss Creesy was breaking barriers navigating the Atlantic and Pacific seas.

Most likely, Ellen Prentiss Creesy is not a household name, but thanks to DARE THE WIND by Tracey Fern, readers are introduced to a New England trailblazer who was drawn to the seas and had a passion for speed. Learning to navigate a schooner or clipper is as difficult as navigating life’s obstacles, and the sage advice she received from her Papa is one I added to my list of favorites: “A true navigator must have the caution to read the sea, as well as the courage to dare the wind.”

In 1851, she made history as the navigator while her husband was captain of a sleek clipper ship, the Flying Cloud, which set a world record for speed sailing from New York around South America (Cape Horn) and up to San Francisco. It's an inspiring and remarkable account of a 15,000-mile, 89-day record-breaking adventure at sea.

DARE THE WIND is a picture/middle grade book sure to appeal to would-be sailors, those interested in maritime or women’s history, and all who have “saltwater in their veins.” Readers who liked this will also enjoy Fern’s BUFFALO MUSIC about another history making pioneer, Mary Ann Goodnight. The gorgeous ink and watercolor illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully capture the period. I especially enjoyed the voyage scenes with Creesy steering the Flying Cloud through rain, snow, and treacherous waters. The Author’s Note and Glossary along with the voyage map on the endpapers are a bonus and provide informative background details. 

Additional Information

Author, Tracy Fern - Website

Illustrator, Emily Arnold McCully - Website

U.S. Sailing Team Videos "Uncharted Waters"

Annie Haeger & Briana Provancha

and

Sarah Everhart-Skeels & Cindy Walker 

U.S. Sailing  - Website