Synergy: Women’s Sports

Women’s sports have existed for centuries. However in the early 20th century, societal shifts began to make female participation more acceptable in mainstream society.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

BREAKING THROUGH by Sue Macy explores how female athletes shattered stereotypes in the roaring twenties. After an introduction, Macy takes readers through the 1920s as women seek opportunities and recognition in athletics. Through photographs, biographical sketches, and primary source documents, readers examine specific examples of women took action to achieve change for themselves and others.

GETTING INTO THE GAMES is an online article from the National Women’s History Museum exploring women’s achievements in sports and the Olympic Games. This highly visual slide show examines different aspects of women’s athletics in the 20th century.

Getting into the Games
https://bit.ly/3dkXK0V

ARC courtesy of National Geographic.

Book Review: Ares: Bringer of War

ARES: BRINGER OF WAR by George O’Connor is the latest addition to the popular OLYMPIANS graphic novel series designed for middle grades and young adults.

Although each of the graphic novels in the OLYMPIANS series stand alone, those new to Greek mythology may want to read them in order because ARES assumes that readers are familiar with the backstory of the gods. Each volume focuses on one of the gods in the Olympic pantheon including Zeus, Athena, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Aphrodite. In addition to the story, each book contains an afterward, family tree, discussion questions, and source notes.

The fast-paced, action-packed stories are drawn from primary documents. The seventh book in the series, Ares: Bringer of War, focuses on the gods’ interference in the Trojan War. This book is a great way to jumpstart an exploration of classics like the Iliad. Although the classic story is filled with violence, O’Connor keeps the gore to a minimum so it’s unlikely to bother readers.

George O’Connor is known for his beautifully illustrated graphic novels with historical themes. In Ares, he does an excellent job helping readers visualize the relationship between the gods and humans through the use of shape and color.

For those students who enjoy the historical aspects of the graphic works, suggest O’Connor’s first graphic novel titled Journey Into Mohawk Country based on to a seventeenth-century historical journal.

Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series will be attracted to this graphic novel series. Use Riordan’s website to explore the Greek Gods and explore mythology. Go tohttp://goo.gl/Gfj82N.

To learn more about the OLYMPIANS series and background information about the Greek Gods, go to http://www.olympiansrule.com/. To extend the Ares reading experience, explore the online activities at http://www.olympiansrule.com/the-books/ares/.

NetGalley ARC used for review

Book Review: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

UNBROKEN: AN OLYMPIAN’S JOURNEY FROM AIRMAN TO CASTAWAY TO CAPTIVE by Laura Hillenbrand is part of trend toward young adult adaptations of popular adult works. Based on the award-winning novel, UNBROKEN: A WORLD WAR II STORY OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCE, AND REDEMPTION, the book traces the real-world experiences of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who becomes a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II.

Both the original nonfiction narrative and the adaptation chronicle Zamperini’s life by highlighting key events including his time as a high school runner, Olympian, bombardier, crash survivor, and prisoner. The use of a series of short, focused narratives keeps the reader engaged. More than one hundred photographs from the time period along with personal photos from the Zamperini family collection immerse readers in the story.

Although the adaptation lacks some of the depth of the original, it maintains the emotion of this breathtaking odyssey. While some of the beauty of Hillenbrand’s writing style is lost in the book’s attempt at brevity, the feelings of desperation, suffering, and hope still ring true. Background information woven through narrative help young readers understanding the context of story.

While many high school history teachers focus on the European Theatre, this book provides a wonderful opportunity for educators to explore the war in the Pacific Theatre. Consider offering both the adult version and the adaptation as options for student readers.

Teens enjoy making connections between books and movies. The movie version of the book titled UNBROKEN rated PG-13 opens December 25, 2014. To learn more about the movie, go to http://www.unbrokenfilm.com/. The movie website encourages visitors to add their own stories of resilient heroes. Learn more at http://www.iamunbroken.com/.

To learn more about the author, go to http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/.
An interactive map shows Louie’s Journey, go to http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/interactive-map/

Although Zamperini died recently, his memory will live on through all three versions of his story: the original book, the adaptation, and the feature film.

Publisher ARC used for review