Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson - Softcover

Stauffacher, Sue

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0375865446 ISBN 13: 9780375865442

Publisher: Dragonfly Books, 2011

Synopsis

Althea is nothing but trouble! Everyone agrees: her mama, her daddy, her teacher, even the policeman. But when Buddy Walker, the play leader on Althea's street in Harlem, watches her play paddle tennis, he sees something more: pure possibility. Buddy buys Althea her very own stringed tennis racket, and before long, she's on her way to becoming a great athlete—and to proving that she's more than just trouble.

Althea Gibson was the first African American ever to compete in and win the Wimbledon Cup. Born in 1927, she was a spirited child and became an enormously talented athlete. Sue Stauffacher's lively text, paired with vibrant paintings by artist Greg Couch, captures the exuberance, ambition, and triumph of this remarkable woman. Readers will cheer from the stands as Althea transforms from playground tomboy to Wimbledon champion.

About this title

About the Author

SUE STAUFFACHER is a professional journalist and has been writing a children's book review column for ten years.

GREG COUCH is the illustrator of many children's books including The Cello of Mr. O by Jane Cutler, Wild Child by Lynn Plourde, and Sun Dance, Water Dance by Jonathan London.He has received two Society of Illustrators Silver Medals.

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 2–5—"Althea Gibson was the tallest, wildest tomboy in the history of Harlem. Everybody said so." How this girl, considered "nothing but trouble," became the first African American to win the Wimbledon Tennis Championship in 1957 is both stylishly and compellingly told in this picture-book biography. From an early age, Gibson's love of sports distracted her from everything else. Buddy Walker, a neighborhood play leader, recognized her ability at street tennis, played with a wooden paddle, and handed Althea her first stringed racket. After considerable practice, he had her play at the Harlem River Tennis Courts, where she attracted the eye of Juan Serrell, a member of the upscale Cosmopolitan Tennis Club. There, assisted by pro Fred Johnson and Rhoda Smith, Gibson's game and deportment improved—though she bristled at the strict rules of behavior. Her eventual victory at Wimbledon is described in both the swinging auctorial voice and the tournament announcers' excited commentary, ending with Gibson's graceful acceptance speech. Couch's kinetic illustrations done in acrylic with digital imaging wonderfully enhance the text. Althea stands out in a blur of color against somber sepia, blue, and olive-drab backgrounds. The prose is rhythmic and has the cadence of the street, and it's a treat to read aloud. Like Katherine Krull's Wilma Unlimited (Harcourt, 1996), this is an affecting tribute to a great athlete, and a story to both enjoy and inspire.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dragonfly Books
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0375865446
• ISBN 13: 9780375865442
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Couch Greg