Jackie Joyner-Kersee

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-- Never a pampered or flamboyant athlete, Joyner-Kersee rose to become the world's greatest female athlete because of hard work and determination. Cohen gives information on her life, including her rise from poverty as a result of her abilities, her attendance at UCLA, and finally her participation in the Seoul Olympics where she became the gold medalist in the long jump and : the heptathalon. The sometimes choppy writing does give insight into Joyner-Kersee's tough and sensitive sides. The biography concludes with a look at future competitions in Barcelona and Atlanta. Rolfe introduces his subject through short, crisp paragraphs with many quotes from players, coaches, critics, family, and Ryan himself. The book is interesting and easy to read, and includes Ryan's successes and problems as a pitcher for the Mets, the Angels, the Astros, and the Rangers. Baseball afficionados will enjoy the details about his 49 major league records, including his no-hitters. Both titles have center inserts that include full-color photographs of excellent quality and a four-page comic strip about a segment in the subjects' lives. --Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro