She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game
#3 of 40 in She Persisted Series
What’s inside...
She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game by Chelsea Clinton is a book that highlights the stories of 13 American Olympians who overcame obstacles and broke barriers in their respective sports. Clinton shares the inspiring stories of athletes such as Mia Hamm, Gabby Douglas, and Wilma Rudolph, who persisted in the face of adversity and achieved greatness. The book is illustrated with vibrant and dynamic artwork by Alexandra Boiger. It is an inspiring read for young readers who love sports and want to learn about the stories of remarkable athletes who paved the way for future generations. From Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, the #1 New York Times bestselling team behind She Persisted, comes a new book featuring women athletes who overcame and inspired—perfect for fans of the Olympics! Throughout history, women have been told that they couldn't achieve their dreams, no matter how hard they tried. Women athletes have faced their own unique set of challenges, across countless sports and levels of play. In this third She Persisted book, Chelsea Clinton introduces readers to women who have excelled in their sports because of their persistence. She Persisted in Sports is a book for everyone who has ever aimed for a goal and been told it wasn't theirs to hit, for everyone who has ever raced for a finish line that seemed all too far away, and for everyone who has ever felt small or unimportant while out on the field. Alexandra Boiger's vibrant artwork accompanies this inspiring text that shows readers of all ages that, no matter what obstacles come their way, they have the power to persist and succeed. This book features athletes like Margaret Ives Abbott, Gertrude Ederle, Mildred 'Babe' Didrikson Zaharias, Wilma Rudolph, Jean Driscoll, Mia Hamm (and the 1996 Olympic soccer team), Kristi Yamaguchi, Venus and Serena Williams, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, Diana Taurasi, Simone Biles, Ibtihaj Muhammad, and Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux.
Discussion points
What qualities do you think helped these athletes succeed in their sports?
How did the challenges these athletes faced change the way they played and lived?
Can you think of a time when you persisted like the athletes in the book? What happened?
Why is it important for people to keep trying, even when things are difficult?
What is one new sport or activity you would like to try after reading about these athletes?
Tip: Role play these questions
As you discuss the book, emphasize the values of determination and resilience shown by the athletes.
Relate the stories to the child’s personal experiences in sports or challenges at school to make it more relatable.
Encourage your child to think about how they can apply the lessons from the book in their own life.
Use examples of the athletes' different backgrounds to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in sports and other areas.
Highlight the hard work and persistence of the characters to teach about the rewards of dedication and perseverance.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance through challenges
Explanation: The book highlights the stories of female Olympians who faced numerous obstacles but remained determined and persistent.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of perseverance in their own lives, be it during school tasks, sports, or other activities, understanding that challenges can be overcome with determination.
Example Lesson: Equality and inclusion
Explanation: The narratives of these Olympians emphasize the significance of equal opportunities in sports regardless of gender.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children to practice and advocate for fairness and equality in their interactions with peers, encouraging inclusive play and respect for everyone's abilities.
Example Lesson: Setting and achieving goals
Explanation: Each athlete's story is a testament to setting high personal goals and working diligently to achieve them.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to set their own achievable goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal hobbies, and work steadily towards accomplishing them.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Many stories in the book reflect on the importance of teamwork in sports, showing how collaboration leads to greater success.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child’s everyday life by emphasizing the importance of working together with classmates on projects or within a sports team to achieve common objectives.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of failure
Explanation: The book doesn't shy away from moments of failure experienced by the athletes, highlighting how they used these experiences as learning opportunities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to see failures as a natural part of learning and growing, using their own setbacks as stepping stones for improvement rather than discouragement.