Thursday, November 14, 2024

Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson (2007)

 Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher (2007) is success story. On the first page we read that Gibson “was is the tallest, wildest tomboy in the history of Harlem.” She played stick ball, basketball, and anything with a paddle. One day, someone recognized her potential and bought her a tennis racket. Gibson's initial attempts at tennis, drew attention. A member of "the ritziest tennis club in Harlem” invited her to learn tennis with all it social complexity. It was a struggle because Althea was nothing but trouble. Nevertheless, she persisted and eventually became the first African-American to win the Wimbledon Cup. This book has an authors note at the back expressing gratitude to the people who helped Gibson become a success story. They recommend her autobiographies I Always Wanted to be Somebody  and So Much to Live For. Also www.altheagibson.com. The illustrations ny Greg Couch capture Althea Gibson’s energy. 


*Mirette & Bellini Cross Niagara Falls (2000)

 I am delighted that Emily Arnald McCully  has a trilogy about Mirette. Mirette & Bellini Cross Niagara Falls (2000) is the third book ...