Author(s): Andrew Maraniss
Publisher: Viking Children's Books (Penguin Young Readers Group)
Copyright Year: 2022
ISBN/ISSN: 9780593351246
REVIEWED August 1, 2022
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommended Grade Levels: 6-12
Andrew Maraniss, known for his prolific narrative nonfiction writings focused on disenfranchised and often forgotten athletic heroes—Strong Inside (Philomel Books 2016), Games of Deception (Viking Books for Young Readers 2019), Singled Out (Viking Books for Young Readers 2021—now seeks to chronicle the 1976 US National Women's Basketball team's triumph in the Montreal Olympics. More than just a history or collection of biographies, this title presents a sociological study about the role of women in US sports. Maraniss covers all obstacles faced by women's basketball in the US, from opponents, sexism, pay inequality, unequal budgets and facilities, homophobia, racism, and the extension of the Cold War. The book also celebrates the massive changes that erupted in women's sports, schools, and society as a whole which flourished after the success of the US National Women's Basketball team. Maraniss also illuminates some of the challenges that women's basketball faces today, including the disparities in the NCAA, lack of job opportunities, less media coverage, and how there can be an intimidation factor involved in a sport played by big, strong, tall women. Even with all our strides in making the WNBA a mainstream sport, these challenges remain. The text includes numerous photos, a timeline of notable women's achievements in US sports, an all-time Olympic jersey number list, and Olympic rosters and team stats. Not only ideal for sports historians or basketball enthusiasts, this book would also make a great fit for read-alouds about underdogs and strong females.
Laura Dooley-Taylor, Librarian, Lake Zurich Middle School North, Hawthorn Woods , IL
Publisher's Product Description
From the New York Times bestselling author of Strong Inside comes the inspirational true story of the birth of women's Olympic basketball at the 1976 Summer Games and the ragtag team that put US women's basketball on the map. Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown.
A League of Their Own meets Miracle in the inspirational true story of the first US Women's Olympic Basketball team and their unlikely rise to the top.
Twenty years before women's soccer became an Olympic sport and two decades before the formation of the WNBA, the '76 US women's basketball team laid the foundation for the incredible rise of women's sports in America at the youth, collegiate, Olympic, and professional levels.
Though they were unknowns from small schools such as Delta State, the University of Tennessee at Martin and John F. Kennedy College of Wahoo, Nebraska, at the time of the '76 Olympics, the American team included a roster of players who would go on to become some of the most legendary figures in the history of basketball. From Pat Head, Nancy Lieberman, Ann Meyers, Lusia Harris, coach Billie Moore, and beyond—these women took on the world and proved everyone wrong.
Packed with black-and-white photos and thoroughly researched details about the beginnings of US women's basketball, Inaugural Ballers is the fascinating story of the women who paved the way for girls everywhere.
A League of Their Own meets Miracle in the inspirational true story of the first US Women's Olympic Basketball team and their unlikely rise to the top.
Twenty years before women's soccer became an Olympic sport and two decades before the formation of the WNBA, the '76 US women's basketball team laid the foundation for the incredible rise of women's sports in America at the youth, collegiate, Olympic, and professional levels.
Though they were unknowns from small schools such as Delta State, the University of Tennessee at Martin and John F. Kennedy College of Wahoo, Nebraska, at the time of the '76 Olympics, the American team included a roster of players who would go on to become some of the most legendary figures in the history of basketball. From Pat Head, Nancy Lieberman, Ann Meyers, Lusia Harris, coach Billie Moore, and beyond—these women took on the world and proved everyone wrong.
Packed with black-and-white photos and thoroughly researched details about the beginnings of US women's basketball, Inaugural Ballers is the fascinating story of the women who paved the way for girls everywhere.
Media Type: Book, eBook
Binding: HC
# Pages: 352
Price: $18.99
Genre: Nonfiction
Sub-Genre: Narrative