Olga Korbut

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-- These two books present standard information in an eye-pleasing manner. While breaking no new ground in writing style or textual content, the books' layouts and illustrations are outstanding. Black-and-white photographs and pencil drawings are interspersed throughout and a 16-page insert of photos, many of which are full color, is found at the center. It's refreshing to see biographies of athletes from outside the United States and about subjects who compete in other than the major professional sports. Keino, a Kenyan, is one of the first of a number of African distance runners who has had a distinguished amateur career; and Korbut, from the Republic of Belarus, competed as a gymnast for the Soviet Union in the 1972 and 1976 winter games. While she was the subject of worldwide attention and a number of juvenile biographies immediately after her Olympic success, it's of interest to see a glimpse of her life some 20 years later. Both of these titles will fit the bill for libraries in need of sports biographies. --Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI