molly_dettmann 's review for:

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team by Steve Sheinkin

4.0

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Sheinkin does it again in this gripping narrative nonfiction about Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indians. All of the football stuff did start to drag for me, but I can see a young sports fan eating up the riveting story of the beginnings of football and the Carlisle team's journey to being a top team. I thought I knew a lot about how Native Americans were treated, but boy did Steve pull out some new horrible info to share. He didn't shy away from talking about all the racism, abuse, and more that these Native American children faced becoming "civilized." It was eye-opening and heartbreaking. It's not the Oklahoma history I was taught. From those struggles to the Olympic medal controversy (which I also had no idea about) this was an overall fascinating read. And the end where there's a call to action about the current use of racist sports team names?!? You go, Sheinkin! I learned a lot from this book and can see many a reader, young and old, enjoying and learning from it as well.