The Quickest Kid in Clarksville

by Pat Zietlow Miller, Frank Morrison (Illustrator)

Overview

It's the day before the big parade. Alta can only think about one thing: Wilma Rudolph, three-time Olympic gold medalist. She'll be riding on a float tomorrow. See, Alta is the quickest kid in Clarksville, Tennessee, just like Wilma once was. It doesn't matter that Alta's shoes have holes because Wilma came from hard times, too. But what happens when a new girl with shiny new shoes comes along and challenges Alta to a race? Will she still be the quickest kid? The Quickest Kid in Clarksville is a timeless story of dreams, determination, and the power of friendship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452129365
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	300L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Pat Zietlow Miller began her writing career in college as a sports reporter and has had a fascination with Wilma Rudolph ever since. Pat is the author of several picture books and lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Frank Morrison is the Coretta Scott King Honor Award–winning illustrator of many books for young people. He lives Atlanta, Georgia.

Editorial Reviews

[A] gentle tribute to the legend of the pathbreaking African-American sprinter Wilma Rudolph…Morrison's expressive illustrations add heft and bounce…

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

"A spunky tribute to friendship and determination."—Champagne-Urbana News Gazette

Cool Mom Picks' 10 Most Empowering Books for Girls

Charlotte Observer Best Books of the Year"

There's a lot of sass and attitude inside this book, and charm all over."—Las Vegas Review Journal"

Sweet and inspiring."—Kirkus Reviews"

Ratty old sneakers and a little competition won't keep Alta from running toward her Olympic dream."—FamilyFun Magazine"

Partly a book about kids learning to make friends, and partly a history lesson about Wilma Rudolph."—Design Mom"

Gentle tribute to the legend of the pathbreaking African-American sprinter Wilma Rudolph."—The New York Times"

An engaging, lively story."-The Horn Book Magazine"

All children will relate to the powerful lessons about jealousy, determination, confidence, dreams, and friendship."—Booking Mana"

A story with spunk to spare."—Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast"

A story about teamwork and determination."—Publishers Weeky

From the Publisher

It is the 1960s, and Alta’s greatest inspiration is the famous track star, Wilma Rudolph. But her self-proclaimed title of “Quickest Kid in Clarksville” is challenged when a new girl appears with brand-new shoes, ready to race Alta and her old, patched shoes. Alta and Charmaine face off and each claims victory, but the contest is inconclusive. A rematch appears to be in the making the next day as Alta (with the help of her brother and sister) prepares a banner to wave at the parade planned to welcome Wilma Rudolph and her three Olympic gold medals back to her hometown. The girls join forces and race to join the cheering crowds, carrying the banner that Alta has made. They are afraid they will not get to the parade route before Wilma rides by. Miller’s dialogue is snappy and full of character, showing personality in short sentences and phrases that resonate with the bang of a starting gun and the chant of a roaring crowd. Morrison’s illustrations, expressively drawn with energetic lines and watercolor, are masterful abbreviations of human anatomy and body language. This is an unusually strong and successful collaboration of story and stand-alone illustrations. Miller concludes her text with an author’s note, in which she presents a brief biography of Wilma Rudolph. Miller and Morrison’s book is a worthy tribute to a great athlete and would be a valuable addition to any program designed to foster interest in sports, sportsmanship, and friendship. Reviewer: Hazel Buys; Ages 6 to 12.

Children's Literature - Hazel Buys

03/01/2016
K-Gr 2—A story about teamwork and perseverance, this homage to the great Wilma Rudolph takes place in 1960 at about the time of the homecoming parade for the Olympian, which occurred in Clarksville, TN—the first integrated event in that town. Young Alta idolizes the great runner and practices her own gait using a rhythmic chant: "Wil-ma Ru-dolph." When she meets a girl with a competitive spirit and brand-new sneakers, Alta has to remind herself that Wilma Rudolph overcame obstacles greater than worn-out shoes. On the day of the parade, a banner that Alta is making is too bulky for one person to carry the whole way, and the new girl, Charmaine, offers a solution—the girls and their friends run an Olympic-style relay to get the banner to the parade site on time. Morrison's full-bleed watercolor illustrations give an effective sense of time and place and render the characters movement well. An author's note provides brief biographical material emphasizing Rudolph's athletic achievements and her role in integrating her hometown. VERDICT A solid addition for large collections.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence, RI

School Library Journal

2016-01-09
Two little girls compete to meet a local hero. It's 1961. Tomorrow there'll be a big parade in Clarksville, Tennessee, honoring hometown girl Wilma Rudolph, "the fastest woman in the world" and winner of multiple Olympic gold medals. Alta, along with friends Dee Dee and Little Mo, likes to pretend that she's the fastest woman in the world and hopes to meet her idol. But there's a new girl in the neighborhood, Charmaine, with an abundance of attitude and a pair of beautiful new shoes, shoes "Like Wilma's," with stripes down the sides and laces so white they glow. Alta challenges her to a race, to the mailbox and back. Alta wins, thinking "Wil-Ma Ru-Dolph" all the while. Charmaine suggests another run, to the corner; this time, she wins. Walking away, Alta's foot hits a rock, and the rock hits Charmaine. They almost fight. But the next day, Alta is struggling to carry the big banner for Wilma when Charmaine struts by. In a turnaround, she helps out, and all four find a perfect spot to watch. Wilma Rudolph smiles at the new friends and waves. Miller's girl-power story also tucks in some nice observations on friendship. Morrison's watercolor illustrations are vibrant and evocative, capturing the thrill and pride in this African-American community for its famous daughter. A helpful author's note adds context. Sweet and inspiring. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews