Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes

School Library Journal

Gr 1–4—There are a lot of positives to describe this book, which shines a light on athletes with disabilities. The Special Olympics has been around for many years, but the sports are ones that were there from its inception; swimming, tennis, cycling, basketball, and figure skating, among them. The games meant a lot to many disabled children and teens and still do today. This book showcases sports that would be classified as extreme sports today. Running hurdles, sprinting, visually-impaired skiing, wheelchair baseball, hockey, and mountain hiking are just a few. In each description, a daily challenge is cited as well as a daily joy which helps readers understand what the athlete must do to play the sport, and the joy that comes from the accomplishment. The artwork is vibrant and full of energy and forward momentum. The rhyming text is the weakest element of the book. It is predictable and pedantic, and a weak link compared to the other elements. The back matter is very strong. It provides a generous time line of the Paralympics and describes each sport fully. VERDICT An eye-opening look at disabled athletes who turn the stigma of disability on its head. Libraries looking to add titles on Special Olympics will find this worth buying.—Joan Kindig