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Summary
Summary
An ALA Notable Book
"Every page is splashed with vibrant color and eye-catching patterns, and the figures of the women themselves are full of energy, speed, and tension." -- Shelf Awareness (starred review)
Venus and Serena Williams are two of the greatest tennis players of all time. Some say they're two of the greatest athletes of all time. Before they were world famous, they were little girls with big dreams.
Venus and Serena Williams. Two peas in a pod. Best friends. Sisters.
Six days a week they awoke before the sun came up to practice their serves and returns, to learn to run faster and hit harder. They were unstoppable. At age fourteen, Venus played her first professional match. Three years later, it was Serena's turn. It wasn't easy. Some tennis fans cheered for these two fresh faces, while those who were unhappy to see two black girls competing in a nearly all-white sport booed and taunted them. But they didn't let it stop them.
With vibrant mixed media art, nonfiction superstars Lesa Cline-Ransome and Coretta Scott King Honor winner James E. Ransome share the inspirational story of two tennis legends who were fierce competitors on the courts, but close sisters above all.
Author Notes
Lesa Cline-Ransome is the author of numerous nonfiction and historical fiction titles for picture book, chapter book, middle grade, and young adult readers including Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams and The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne. Her verse biography of Harriet Tubman, Before She Was Harriet was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and received a Jane Addams Children's Book Honor, Christopher Award, and Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration. Her debut middle grade novel, Finding Langston , won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction and received the Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband and frequent collaborator, James Ransome, and their family. Visit her at LesaClineRansome.com.
James E. Ransome's highly acclaimed illustrations for Before She Was Harriet received the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. His other award-winning titles include the Coretta Scott King winner The Creation ; Coretta Scott King Honor Book Uncle Jed's Barbershop ; Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt ; and Let My People Go , winner of the NAACP Image Award. James is also a recipient of the ALA Children's Literature Legacy Award. He frequently collaborates with his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome, and their books include Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams and Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis . James is a professor and coordinator of the MFA Illustration Graduate Program at Syracuse University. He lives in New York's Hudson River Valley region with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Husband-and-wife team James E. and Lesa Cline-Ransome (Before She Was Harriet) offer a powerful portrayal of the sisters and tennis legends. Growing up in Los Angeles, Venus and Serena played tennis in the courts of East Compton Park, where neighborhood gunshots sometimes interrupted their practice. The book follows their move onto professional courts, where they drew attention for their raw talent and expressive styles, as well as their unfortunate treatment by some watchers, who "threatened, booed, and taunted" the sisters for their skin tone. Cline-Ransome conveys the sisters' affection and competitiveness, emphasizing how Serena remained one step behind Venus until the 2002 French Open, when "a victorious Serena stepped out of the shadow of her sister." Yet the sisters are pictured standing side-by-side for Serena's win: "'Nothing can keep me from celebrating when my best friend wins a match,' Venus said proudly." Ransome's sophisticated portraiture captures a likeness of the two athletes, while spreads feature playfully stylized cut-paper collage accents-visuals that enhance this tribute to sisterhood, athletics, and determination. Ages 4-8. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Wife-and-husband team Cline-Ransome and Ransome celebrate tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, focusing on their formative childhoods and the way their preparation and talent fundamentally changed the game. Cline-Ransomes chronological account begins with the sisters pre-dawn practices in Compton, California, sweeping the public courts of garbage and broken glass before applying themselves with phenomenal dedication (By the time Venus was four she could hit five hundred tennis balls at every practice; When gunshots rang out in the distance, [their father] Richard reminded them, Never mind the noise. Just play). As they grow and improve, moving from their familys private coaching to the professional tour, they become the dominant force in womens tennis and find themselves playing against each other with increasing frequency. Ransomes detailed collages reflect this shift. Early illustrations show the girls close together, dressed in like colors with similar hairstyles. As the story progresses, the sisters are positioned apart, wearing different colors, until as young women they find themselves on opposite sides of the net, their separation emphasized by the books low, wide trim size. The final spread, showing them on the same side of the net, holding hands, after Serena bested Venus in the 2002 French Open, communicates the sisters ultimate devotion to each other. Thorough back matter--including an afterword, source notes, a selected bibliography, and further reading--is appended. thom barthelmess (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* The acclaimed Ransome husband-and-wife duo move from the historical (Before She Was Harriet, 2017) to the present-day with this story of African American sisters Venus and Serena Williams, who changed the game of tennis with their prowess and determination. The picture-book biography begins with their early years, when they would get up before dawn to clear garbage off the tennis courts near their home and practice the game six days a week under the tutelage of their father. Without formal training, the two devised methods to increase their natural talent, such as incorporating ballet for flexibility, running to increase their speed, and throwing footballs to help their serves become more powerful. Clear writing, an inviting layout, collage-style pictures, and quotes from the sisters and their parents make this nonfiction format accessible for emerging and more confident readers. Cut paper, pencil, and acrylic paints blend seamlessly to create beautifully bold, colorful illustrations in tribute to two amazing athletes. A detailed afterword lists their many accomplishments, including U.S. Open and Wimbledon victoriesas well as their Olympic gold medals. Source notes, a bibliography, and further reading enhance an informative book that will appeal to children and sports fans of all ages.--Owen, Maryann Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-This lovingly crafted picture book biography centers on the incredible bond between Venus and Serena Williams and one of their signature accomplishments: being the first two sisters in tennis history to rank numbers one and two in the world. Beginning with their early childhood, Cline-Ransome highlights the siblings' hard work and dedication to each other and their goals. From pre-dawn practices as preschoolers in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles, to Serena's first victory over Venus in the 2002 French Open nearly 20 years later, this story of their single-minded focus and unwavering family support will inspire readers to achieve greatness regardless of the odds. The collage artwork, done in cut paper, pencil, and acrylic paints, is expansive and filled with vibrant colors and emotions. Fans of tennis will be in for a treat as Cline-Ransome recounts the Williams's matches with thrilling detail. This powerful narrative will most appeal to independent readers. Back matter includes an afterword that chronicles the duo's accomplishments and challenges from 2002 to 2011. VERDICT An important selection for biography and sports collections.-Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, Oak Bluffs, MA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Two African-American sisters become superstars in the predominantly white sport of tennis.Venus Williams and her younger sister, Serena, grew up in Compton, outside of LA. Their father, Richard Williams, had big dreams for his girls, and they embraced the hard work of learning and perfecting their tennis games. The girls eventually became exceptionally good, winning so many junior tournaments that word spread about them. Venus turned professional at age 14 and Serena followed a year later, and they quickly moved up through the tennis rankings. The sport had few nonwhite players, and they stood out in appearance and style. "Tennis had never seen anything like them." Cline-Ransome focuses on the sisters' early breakthrough years, ending the story when they first reached the pinnacle of the sport and faced each other to win major championships. The lively narrative does not shy away from the difficulties they faced but focuses on their determination to succeed and their close relationship. Ransome uses cut paper, pencil, and acrylic paints for pictures that are varied and energetic. The striking cover painting presents the recognizable faces that have graced many sports magazines. With an eye-catching design, the inside art is expressive and evocative, beginning with the endpapers. An afterword tells more of their story, including Venus' struggle with an autoimmune disease and their off-court activism.A solid introduction for young sports fans. (bibliography, further reading, notes) (Picture book/biography. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
