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Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome
dembury's review against another edition
5.0
A thoughtfully and sharply written look at the Williams sisters rise to fame, stopping pretty much after Serena's win against Venus at the Grand Slam Cup (there is a two page afterword that bulletpoints later life events and some of their other work). This book does a great job at illustrating the difficulties and prejudice the sisters faced, as well as how they supported each other throughout their whole careers. The artwork is also super lovely: it's a beautiful mixed media style of fabrics and patterned paper that fits well with the story. I think even younger readers who aren't sports fans will still enjoy reading this!
sparklelys's review against another edition
5.0
I adore Serena. Venus too, but especially Serena. This picture book illustrates them as kids and growing up with nontraditional training in an area where their practice sessions start with sweeping the courts to get the trash and broken glass out of the way. And the illustrations' fabrics and patterns are snips of textured paper that show movement and tell story.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent kids level bio of Venus and Serena. I didn't know about Venus's editorial to the London Times which wound up causing men and women winners to receive the same cash prize at Wimbledon. The Williams sisters kick ass!
hulahoopes's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent biography with stunning illustrations different than Ransome’s normal style, but lovely.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Great biography about two women who we know so well in the public but sometimes forget their humble upbringing and how hard they had to work to get where they are today. Venus and Serena are GOAT. #weneeddiversebooks
swtmarie's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting account of Venus and Serena Williams and their life together on and off the tennis court. I liked seeing how close the two sisters were as athletes and how they were competitive, yet happy, for one another when they played each other and one of them lost. It's amazing how many championships they have won and the records they beat while encountering hardships from people who didn't think they should be playing the sport. I am now compelled to watch King Richard and examine how big of a role their dad played in them playing tennis. Great children's story!
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
There is really sooooooo much to say about legendary tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams. So what I admired about this book is the focus on the relationship between the two of them: "two peas in a pod, best friends... as close as two sisters could be." I think VENUS & SERENA would have been a more apt title than GAME CHANGERS.
This is a story of hard work and humble beginnings. They had to sweep the court free of trash before they could practice. They learned ballet, ran track, made up their own drills, all in the pursuit of being better tennis players. Their neighborhood had a lot of gang violence and they could sometimes hear gunfire during their practice sessions.
The craziest thing I learned from this book is that their dad "brought in busloads of neighborhood kids to surround the practice courts as they played... and paid each and every one to hurl the worst words his daughters might hear during their matches." He kind of vaccinated them against the harassment they would face from racist tennis fans.
This is a great picture book distillation of the Williams sisters' early careers and their strong bond.
This is a story of hard work and humble beginnings. They had to sweep the court free of trash before they could practice. They learned ballet, ran track, made up their own drills, all in the pursuit of being better tennis players. Their neighborhood had a lot of gang violence and they could sometimes hear gunfire during their practice sessions.
The craziest thing I learned from this book is that their dad "brought in busloads of neighborhood kids to surround the practice courts as they played... and paid each and every one to hurl the worst words his daughters might hear during their matches." He kind of vaccinated them against the harassment they would face from racist tennis fans.
This is a great picture book distillation of the Williams sisters' early careers and their strong bond.
dswhite's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good picture book about the two sisters and how the became successful tennis players.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
5.0
Great biography about two women who we know so well in the public but sometimes forget their humble upbringing and how hard they had to work to get where they are today. Venus and Serena are GOAT. #weneeddiversebooks