WILMA RUDOLPH

paper 1-57505-442-6 This entry in the On My Own Biography series provides a serviceable introduction to running star Rudolph, once considered “the fastest woman in the world.” The facts of her story will fascinate this age group: she was the 20th of 22 children; she contracted polio yet became a runner; she won multiple gold medals at the 1960 Olympics. Colorful illustrations are used throughout, and a single photograph is provided in the afterword, which follows Rudolph through college, marriage, parenthood, and her support of other African- American athletes. The short sentences and plentiful illustrations will help make this biography accessible; Sherrow offers more information than Kathleen Krull’s Wilma Unlimited (1996) while her book is easier to read than Tom Biracree’s Wilma Rudolph (1988). The brief chronology indicates that Rudolph died on November 12, 1995, while all other sources indicate she died on that day in 1994. Despite that hitch, readers will find this an inspiring story. (Biography. 8-12)