Serena and Venus Williams

Children's Literature

A short, well-written biography of tennis' attention-getting sisters, this book is a must-have for elementary-school libraries. Serena and Venus Williams are still very young, but have made a huge impact on this traditionally staid (and white) game without losing their own unique athletic and personal styles. That isn't always easy; Schaefer notes that the sisters have sometimes been booed by fans for 'sins' such as acting "too confident" off-court. The fact that Venus and Serena don't tone themselves down to suit other people's comfort zones is a good lesson for girls who feel pressured to sit down and be quiet. In addition, the book shows that although the sisters sometimes have to play against each other, they remain close. As Venus put it, "I know no matter what I do out there, Serena's always going to be behind me and there for me." The book is nicely illustrated with numerous color photos that emphasize the sisters' closeness, and also their obvious physical strength—again, a subtle reinforcement for body-conscious preteens that not everyone is a size 5. Part of the "Sports Heroes" series. 2002, Capstone Press,
— Donna Freedman