Wilma Rudolph

On My Own Biography

by Victoria Sherrow, Larry Johnson (Illustrator)

In 1946, six-year-old Wilma Rudolph dreamed of walking and playing like other children, but a sickness called polio had damaged her left leg. Wilma spent hours each week doing painful exercises at a hospital for African American patients. The rest of the time, she was forced to wear a heavy and cumbersome leg-brace. Still, Wilma never gave up. She knew she could walk again, and if she could walk, maybe she could run. Author Victoria Sherrow tells how Wilma Rudolph's determination led her to the 1956 and 1960 Olympics where she gained fame as a champion runner. Larry Johnson's rich illustrations help to capture this true story of heroic strength and fearlessness.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Sports, Picture Books, Historical

48 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Victoria discovered her interest in reading and writing both in early adolescence. In 1978 she moved to Los Angeles and worked two jobs. It was at that time she read Writing for Children and Teenagers by Lee Wyndham , and that is when her fate as a writer was sealed. Victoria had decided to write a children's novel. She went to an annual L.A. conference on writing for children where she learned the basics of marketing and submitting work for writers. Then she started writing.

Her first stories were rejected but she kept strong at it. The year after(1979), she managed to sell a story. Then she sold more. And since she has become a multiple award winning author with over 100 published titles to her name. Sherrow has written poetry, short stories, picture books, and articles.

Victoria has taught writing for over twenty years, reviewed children’s books for newspapers, judged writing contests, and done numerous presentations at schools, libraries, and bookstores. She is a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and served as a judge for the SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award.

Reviews

[Anne Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent biography written for young readers about someone who overcame great obstacles to become an Olympic track star. An inspiring read.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great mini picture book biography on a remarkable woman who didn’t let her physical disabilities from childhood stop her from becoming one of the fastest women alive. This book did exactly what it did, inspire me to want to read and learn more. A perfect addition to any elementary age school or library.

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to your students about overcoming adversity. This is a great biography.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biography of Wilma Rudolph who had polio as a child and went on to earn 3 gold medals for the U.S. for running in the 1960 Olympics.

[Tyreese · Rating 5 out of 5]

(1) When Wilma Rudolph was six years old a doctor told her that she might never walk again. Those were fighting worst to this young intelligent black girl and her family. Wilma had 21 brothers and sisters a loving mother and family, and they all helped Wilma in her struggle not only to walk but to run right into the Olympic history. Wilma grew up at a time when blacks and whites were forced to stay apart from one another. But Wilma would help change that too. Wilma had more than one thing on her mind when she talked about the race inside me was to be batter than her parents was and make it in life so she can help her family and brother and sisters.

(2) One prediction I made about the book was that Wilma was not going to walk again. She had a disease in her leg and they said that she wasn’t going to walk again and them was fighting words to her because she never believe she would stop walking. She had a whole life ahead of her she was good and basketball and running. I made this prediction because the doctor said she wouldn’t walk again but she prove him wrong and she didn’t walk she ran. She was a Olympics gold medalist.

(3) One of my texts to connections was when Wilma we were in the basketball game she was doing something wrong and the game and they lost the lead. The coach yells at Wilma because she did something wrong “pg 58”. To refer to me like when I was in my basketball game my coach yelled at me and I felt just like Wilma and that same problem.

(4) one of my visualization I had was when wilma was winning her races and basketball. Then she go aginst people who are batter than her she get fearful and scared because she think she will lose cause they are batter than her . so she dought herself and dont believe in herself because she think she is to small or to weak. so one game her coach told her to believe in yourself and dont give up the fight,just keep on struggling with all your might. you will be batter than any enemies you face.

(5) one inferences i made while i was reading this story was all through the book of the story "pg 50 and 90" wa when wilma was playing basketball and she was goin for the championship and she always remember what her coach always told her. when she believe she acieve and won one of the chapionship in highschool. i thought she was not goin to win because she always dought herself. so i found out thay she won the game and i was wrong.

(6) what i enjoyrd abou this book is the how wilma believe and herself and how the book ends with a googd ending. howthe character wilma ruldolph she inspire me to do batter in the future and to believe in myself and go over and beyond and my life so i can acieve. one thing wilma always remember was the race inside her. things i dislike about this book was how she idnt go out of town for college and keep getting her educating and keep running for usa.

(7) i will give this book a four star because this book is a good book to read and it encourages me to do things and life and follow my dreams.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

When wilma rudolph was 6 years old,a doctor told her that she might never walk again. Those were fighting words to this young black girl and her family. Wilma had 21 brother and sister, a loving mother and family, and they all helped wilma in her struggle not only to walk but to run right into olymipic history. Wilma grew up at a time when blacks and whites were force to stay apart from one another. But wilma had more than one thing on her mind when she talked about "the race inside me".

Before i read my book i went to the table of contexts and the first chapter was no leg to stand on. My first prediction was that something was gone happen to wilma's leg.Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to ever win three gold medals in a single Olympics. She accomplished that feat in Rome, Italy, in 1960. The roads to Rome, from Rome, and in Rome were filled with challenges and victories for this spunky black woman.

I made a text to self connection because i have a bib family on mi mother side and my father side and i started playing sports when i was in 3rd grade and played for 7th and 8th team when i was in 5th grade. Rudolph grew up in the 1940s and 50s in Clarkesville, Tennessee, a community divided by segregation and poverty. Born prematurely in a family of 22 children, she was a victim of polio and paralysis.Rudolph learned to walk, then run, then star in athletics. She made her first Olympic team as a junior in high school. That same year she lost a friend to a tragic car accident, became pregnant, and was awarded a scholarship.

The Her athletic skill allowed her to travel the world and change the course of segregation in her home town. She met Jackie Robinson and John F. Kennedy along the way.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was amazing because Wilma started off with having a disease called Polio. Wilma"s left leg became very thin and crooked. Many children lost the use of their legs or could possibly die from this disease. Wilma would have a hard time, because she had to wear a brace for a while. But Wilma's hard work in exercising in the hospital paid off. She went on to train in high school and college in track and competed in the Olympic Games in Italy and won gold medals. Wilma Rudolph was a hero to people all over the United States.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of series for a Girl Scout Program on role models that I will be teaching. It serves its purpose well. It is a short biography for children grades 3-5 that teaches them about adversity, diversity, and the belief in yourself. When you believe in yourself and work hard, anything is possible. Wilma is a great testament to that. I look forward to teaching this in the Girl Scout program and I think the girls will enjoy it too.

[Joe Farrar]

This is a nice little story and has me interested in reading more about Wilma.