TeachingBooks
Game Changers

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At age four Venus Williams showed a remarkable talent for tennis, and her little ...read more

  • Publisher's Weekly:
  • Ages 4 - 8
  • Booklist:
  • Grades 1 - 4
  • School Library Journal:
  • Grades 3 - 5
  • Kirkus:
  • Ages 4 - 8
  • TeachingBooks:*
  • Grades 1-6
  • Word Count:
  • 2,069
  • Lexile Level:
  • 1030L
  • ATOS Reading Level:
  • 6
  • Cultural Experience:
  • African American
  • Women / Girls
  • Genre:
  • Biography
  • Nonfiction
  • Sports
  • Picture Book
  • Year Published:
  • 2018

The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.

Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).

From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

At age four Venus Williams showed a remarkable talent for tennis, and her little sister Serena was not far behind. Six days a week, the girls trained at a broken- down tennis court near their home in Compton. With their father’s coaching, they became stronger and faster. He had them throw footballs to improve their serves and take track and ballet to increase their speed and agility. He even paid neighbors to jeer from the stands, knowing that they would likely face taunting on the professional circuit because they were Black. By the time they were young teens, they’d already gone pro and quickly worked their way up until they were ranked one and two in the world. This forceful account of the tennis champions’ triumphs and challenges, and their lives on and off the court, is brightly illustrated with cut paper, pencil, and acrylic paints. (Ages 7–11)

CCBC Choices 2019 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2019. Used with permission.

From Horn Book

January 1, 2019
The wife-and-husband team celebrates tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, focusing on their formative childhoods and the way their preparation and talent fundamentally changed the game. As Cline-Ransome's chronological account progresses, the sisters are positioned farther apart, eventually on opposite sides of the net, in Ransome's illustrations. A final spread, showing them holding hands after Serena bested Venus in the 2002 French Open, communicates the sisters' ultimate devotion to each other. Reading list. Bib.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Horn Book

Starred review from July 1, 2018
Wife-and-husband team Cline-Ransome and Ransome celebrate tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, focusing on their formative childhoods and the way their preparation and talent fundamentally changed the game. Cline-Ransome's chronological account begins with the sisters' pre-dawn practices in Compton, California, sweeping the public courts of garbage and broken glass before applying themselves with phenomenal dedication ( By the time Venus was four she could hit five hundred tennis balls at every practice; When gunshots rang out in the distance, [their father] Richard reminded them, ?Never mind the noise. Just play' ). As they grow and improve, moving from their family's private coaching to the professional tour, they become the dominant force in women's tennis and find themselves playing against each other with increasing frequency. Ransome's detailed collages reflect this shift. Early illustrations show the girls close together, dressed in like colors with similar hairstyles. As the story progresses, the sisters are positioned apart, wearing different colors, until as young women they find themselves on opposite sides of the net, their separation emphasized by the book's low, wide trim size. The final spread, showing them on the same side of the net, holding hands, after Serena bested Venus in the 2002 French Open, communicates the sisters' ultimate devotion to each other. Thorough back matter--including an afterword, source notes, a selected bibliography, and further reading--is appended. thom barthelmess

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Publisher's Weekly

June 18, 2018
Husband-and-wife team James E. and Lesa Cline-Ransome (Before She Was Harriet) offer a powerful portrayal of the sisters and tennis legends. Growing up in Los Angeles, Venus and Serena played tennis in the courts of East Compton Park, where neighborhood gunshots sometimes interrupted their practice. The book follows their move onto professional courts, where they drew attention for their raw talent and expressive styles, as well as their unfortunate treatment by some watchers, who "threatened, booed, and taunted" the sisters for their skin tone. Cline-Ransome conveys the sisters' affection and competitiveness, emphasizing how Serena remained one step behind Venus until the 2002 French Open, when "a victorious Serena stepped out of the shadow of her sister." Yet the sisters are pictured standing side-by-side for Serena's win: " 'Nothing can keep me from celebrating when my best friend wins a match,' Venus said proudly." Ransome's sophisticated portraiture captures a likeness of the two athletes, while spreads feature playfully stylized cut-paper collage accentsâ€"visuals that enhance this tribute to sisterhood, athletics, and determination. Ages 4—8.

From Booklist

Starred review from June 1, 2018
Grades 1-4 *Starred Review* The acclaimed Ransome husband-and-wife duo move from the historical (Before She Was Harriet, 2017) to the present-day with this story of African American sisters Venus and Serena Williams, who changed the game of tennis with their prowess and determination. The picture-book biography begins with their early years, when they would get up before dawn to clear garbage off the tennis courts near their home and practice the game six days a week under the tutelage of their father. Without formal training, the two devised methods to increase their natural talent, such as incorporating ballet for flexibility, running to increase their speed, and throwing footballs to help their serves become more powerful. Clear writing, an inviting layout, collage-style pictures, and quotes from the sisters and their parents make this nonfiction format accessible for emerging and more confident readers. Cut paper, pencil, and acrylic paints blend seamlessly to create beautifully bold, colorful illustrations in tribute to two amazing athletes. A detailed afterword lists their many accomplishments, including U.S. Open and Wimbledon victoriesas well as their Olympic gold medals. Source notes, a bibliography, and further reading enhance an informative book that will appeal to children and sports fans of all ages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

From School Library Journal

Starred review from June 1, 2018

Gr 3-5-This lovingly crafted picture book biography centers on the incredible bond between Venus and Serena Williams and one of their signature accomplishments: being the first two sisters in tennis history to rank numbers one and two in the world. Beginning with their early childhood, Cline-Ransome highlights the siblings' hard work and dedication to each other and their goals. From pre-dawn practices as preschoolers in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles, to Serena's first victory over Venus in the 2002 French Open nearly 20 years later, this story of their single-minded focus and unwavering family support will inspire readers to achieve greatness regardless of the odds. The collage artwork, done in cut paper, pencil, and acrylic paints, is expansive and filled with vibrant colors and emotions. Fans of tennis will be in for a treat as Cline-Ransome recounts the Williams's matches with thrilling detail. This powerful narrative will most appeal to independent readers. Back matter includes an afterword that chronicles the duo's accomplishments and challenges from 2002 to 2011. VERDICT An important selection for biography and sports collections.-Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, Oak Bluffs, MA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Kirkus

May 1, 2018
Two African-American sisters become superstars in the predominantly white sport of tennis.Venus Williams and her younger sister, Serena, grew up in Compton, outside of LA. Their father, Richard Williams, had big dreams for his girls, and they embraced the hard work of learning and perfecting their tennis games. The girls eventually became exceptionally good, winning so many junior tournaments that word spread about them. Venus turned professional at age 14 and Serena followed a year later, and they quickly moved up through the tennis rankings. The sport had few nonwhite players, and they stood out in appearance and style. "Tennis had never seen anything like them." Cline-Ransome focuses on the sisters' early breakthrough years, ending the story when they first reached the pinnacle of the sport and faced each other to win major championships. The lively narrative does not shy away from the difficulties they faced but focuses on their determination to succeed and their close relationship. Ransome uses cut paper, pencil, and acrylic paints for pictures that are varied and energetic. The striking cover painting presents the recognizable faces that have graced many sports magazines. With an eye-catching design, the inside art is expressive and evocative, beginning with the endpapers. An afterword tells more of their story, including Venus' struggle with an autoimmune disease and their off-court activism.A solid introduction for young sports fans. (bibliography, further reading, notes) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Game Changers was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.

United States Lists (5)

California

Connecticut

  • Nutmeg Book Award, 2021, Elementary List, for Grades 2-4

Florida

  • Florida Literacy Association Children's Book Award, 2019-2020

Rhode Island

  • Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2020, for Grades 3-5

Texas

  • Bluebonnet Award Nominees, 2019-2020, for Grades 3-6

Lesa Cline-Ransome on creating Game Changers:

This primary source recording with Lesa Cline-Ransome was created to provide readers insights directly from the book's creator into the backstory and making of this book.

Listen to this recording on TeachingBooks

Citation: Cline-Ransome, Lesa. "Meet-the-Author Recording | Game Changers." TeachingBooks, https://www.teachingbooks.net/bookResume/t/59730. Accessed 01 February, 2025.

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This Book Resume for Game Changers is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.

*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.

Retrieved from TeachingBooks on February 01, 2025. © 2001-2025 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.