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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Steve Sheinkin has a way with YA informational text- it’s engaging, unbelievably researched, and connects poignantly with current issues in our world.
I enjoyed this a lot. I’d never heard of Jim Thorpe prior to reading (I’m not a sports girl) but the story is fascinating.
I enjoyed this a lot. I’d never heard of Jim Thorpe prior to reading (I’m not a sports girl) but the story is fascinating.
This is a terrific read. I actually did not know anything about Jim Thorpe other than that he was a Native American athlete. This is a wonderful introduction (aimed at a YA audience) to his education at the Carlisle school and their heralded football team. Again, I’d never read anything about the Carlisle school but it definitely echos the terrible era of residential schooling in Canada. A large portion of the book centers around Jim Thorpe’s relationship with Pop Warner, and the sad situation surrounding Thorpe surrendering his Olympic medals.
I’d recommend this if you or a younger reader is interested in the history of football or Native American life at the turn of the 20th century.
I’d recommend this if you or a younger reader is interested in the history of football or Native American life at the turn of the 20th century.
Weirdly, better as a football book than as a bio of Thorpe, and surprisingly unsuccessful in its portrayal of both Thorpe and Carlisle School. No discussion of how the media and success/money shaped Thorpe's image and those of his fellow players, and controversial yet important topics like mascots and the legacy of Pratt and Carlisle School barely given lip-service. Fascinating to see the development of football into the modern game, and the role of the Carlisle Indians in its success, but frankly, lacking nuance in so many other respects. Disappointing from Sheinkin to not have dug deeper, asked harder questions about his subjects.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I’m slowly making my way through all of Steve Sheinkin’s books. Born to Fly is still my very favorite, but every one I’ve read has been really good.
Undefeated was kind of a “Remember the Titans” in book form. I’m not a huge football fan, but I appreciate the game. I liked learning the history of the sport and how it developed over time. I liked learning about Jim Thorpe, whose name I’d heard, but otherwise didn’t know anything about.
I could see this book being a favorite for Jr High or High School history students. The popularity of football could easily lead the way to those harder topics of conversation the book brings up like boarding schools for Native Americans and the horrible stereotypes towards Native Americans from the media and the fan base. Lots of things to think about here mixed in with some exciting sports writing.
Undefeated was kind of a “Remember the Titans” in book form. I’m not a huge football fan, but I appreciate the game. I liked learning the history of the sport and how it developed over time. I liked learning about Jim Thorpe, whose name I’d heard, but otherwise didn’t know anything about.
I could see this book being a favorite for Jr High or High School history students. The popularity of football could easily lead the way to those harder topics of conversation the book brings up like boarding schools for Native Americans and the horrible stereotypes towards Native Americans from the media and the fan base. Lots of things to think about here mixed in with some exciting sports writing.
Jim Thorpe was a Native American boy who was sent to the Carslile Indian School. There, he discovers his innate sports talent and excels in track, baseball, and football. With his help, coach Pop Warner is able to build the Carslile team and forever change the face of football.
NC MBOB 2021/2022 selection. Usually I'm not a big fan of sports books. I do however like a good book about an underdog. This was a bit of both. Jim Thorpe was definitely a huge influence in the sports world and possibly one of the greatest athletes ever.
NC MBOB 2021/2022 selection. Usually I'm not a big fan of sports books. I do however like a good book about an underdog. This was a bit of both. Jim Thorpe was definitely a huge influence in the sports world and possibly one of the greatest athletes ever.
Another gem from Steve Sheinkin. His books are well sourced and he has a talent for blending interesting storytelling and probing questions with enough historical detail to make the reading experience entertaining, thought provoking and informative.
Here we get the story of Native Americans sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School for the purpose of integrating them into the white man's world. It's not quite as benign as I just stated and Sheinkin raises important questions about racism while challenging the purpose of such a school. The book is ultimately centered around Jim Thorpe and his life from his early years in Oklahoma through his time in Carlisle. It's a complex life filled with achievement and heartbreak and Sheinkin tells it with respect for Thorpe and the book's readers.
About half of the book relates to the early days of American football through about 1912 (largely it relates to the Carlisle football team and how it contributed to the evolution of rules changes made over time to where it more closely resembles the modern game). I'm not much of a football fan but I did enjoy these sections nonetheless. Fans of the game would probably enjoy these parts very much.
Here we get the story of Native Americans sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School for the purpose of integrating them into the white man's world. It's not quite as benign as I just stated and Sheinkin raises important questions about racism while challenging the purpose of such a school. The book is ultimately centered around Jim Thorpe and his life from his early years in Oklahoma through his time in Carlisle. It's a complex life filled with achievement and heartbreak and Sheinkin tells it with respect for Thorpe and the book's readers.
About half of the book relates to the early days of American football through about 1912 (largely it relates to the Carlisle football team and how it contributed to the evolution of rules changes made over time to where it more closely resembles the modern game). I'm not much of a football fan but I did enjoy these sections nonetheless. Fans of the game would probably enjoy these parts very much.
How is that I knew about Pratt and the misguided, tragic policies of The Carlisle Indian School but never knew the story of Jim Thorpe, Pop Warner and the Carlisle Indian Football team? My five stars are mainly for the story itself which is an extraordinary one. Apparently Angelina Jolie is producing a biopic with the consent of the family starring a Native American actor, so I will hold off on watching the 1951 film (starring white Burt Lancaster) even though I’m hungry for more Jim Thorpe after reading this book aloud to my nine year old son. The author does a great job of building suspense and relating the games in an exciting way - one that is sure to keep young sports fans gripped. I also love the way he builds parallel stories (such as Ike at West Point or Pop Warner’s track before Thorpe came to Carlisle) to create tension, building to when the characters’ paths intersect. Also, the intersection of major historical bits like being on a transatlantic ship two months after The Titanic sunk make this an even more compelling read. It’s amazing how many photos are included as well given the time period.