Wilma Rudolph was not a strong little
girl. She was often sick, and before she turned five she contracted polio, a
dreaded disease in the United States in the 1940s. Partially paralyzed, Wilma
was told she would not walk on her own again, but that did not stop her. Her
large and loving family encouraged her; she diligently practiced the exercises
her doctor recommended, eventually enabling her to use a brace and to attend
school. Still, walking with a brace kept her from many school activities. When
she was finally able to walk without it, she felt her life was starting over.
She excelled at basketball, and a coach helped her win a full scholarship to
college. At the age of twenty, eight years after discarding her brace, Wilma
traveled to Rome as part of the U.S. Olympic team. Despite an ankle injury and
public pressure (with the Olympics televised for the first time), Wilma won the
100-yard dash, then the 200-yard dash and the 400-yard team relay, earning her
three gold medals and the distinction of being the first woman to win three in
a single Olympics. Wilma Rudolph: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s
Fastest Woman is an inspiring biographical picture book. Kathleen
Krull’s straightforward, flowing narrative and David Diaz’s stunning, strong
images beautifully capture the story’s drama. Readers will burst with pride
along with Wilma as she hears “The Star-Spangled Banner” marking her Olympic
victories. Ages 6-11.
