Eye to Eye: Sports Journalist Christine Brennan

by Julie K. Rubini

Overview

Christine Brennan, the USA Today sports columnist, author, and commentator, uses her voice to advocate for diversity and equality in the world of sports, and her wisdom to encourage future journalists. Her passion for sports was sparked by her dad, who encouraged her to participate in athletics and, as he said, “smell the game”—go watch baseball and football games together.

As a child, Christine wrote daily entries in her diary and listened to play-by-play coverage on her radio. She pursued this love of words through journalism school and applied her passion for sports by reporting on them for various newspapers. Since then, she has portrayed the setbacks and triumphs of athletes, all the while fighting her own battles for success—and respect—as a female journalist.

From knocking down barriers in NFL locker rooms to covering every Olympics since 1984 to being the go-to commentator whenever scandal occurs in the sports world, Christine Brennan has done it all. Eye to Eye invites young readers to learn more about this remarkable journalist and perhaps to nurture their own dreams of investigating and telling important stories.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780821423752
Publisher:	Ohio University Press
Publication date:	04/05/2019
Series:	Biographies for Young Readers
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Julie K. Rubini is the founder of Claire’s Day, a children’s book festival in honor of her late daughter. She is the author of Hidden Ohio, Missing Millie Benson: The Secret Case of the Nancy Drew Ghostwriter and Journalist, and Virginia Hamilton: America’s Storyteller. But most of all, she cherishes her roles as wife to Brad and mother to daughter Kyle and son Ian.

Table of Contents

Author's Note vii

Chapter 1 In the Locker Room 1

Chapter 2 Drive 6

Chapter 3 Box Out 21

Chapter 4 Rookie 29

Chapter 5 Unsportsmanlike Conduct 39

Chapter 6 Major Leagues 49

Chapter 7 Live from the Olympics 58

Chapter 8 Figure Skating 69

Chapter 9 Going National 76

Chapter 10 Passing the Baton 87

Christine's Timeline 99

Christine's Awards and Recognitions 101

Glossary 103

Acknowledgments 107

Notes 109

Bibliography 117

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2019

Gr 8 Up-While Christine Brennan may be best known for her figure skating and Olympic coverage, specifically the Tonya vs. Nancy scandal of the 1994 Winter Olympics, she is one of the foremost female sports journalists in the field today. Rubini takes readers on a very well-rounded trip through Brennan's life, from her baseball and college football-filled childhood with loving parents to being one of the first female journalists allowed inside a pro-football post-game locker room, to a historic career with the Washington Post and USA Today. Refreshingly, very little is mentioned of her romantic history as it really has no bearing on her professional achievements. There are many direct quotes from Brennan from extensive interviews done with Rubini for this book, which is rare in young adult biographies. The back matter consists of a time line of her career, awards and recognition, and a glossary of terms bolded throughout the text. Rubini also includes a bibliography where not only does she cite the origins of the sources, but they are separated by type of resource (book, article, podcast, speeches given). While this is a well-constructed biography, it may not have mass appeal for teens lacking interest in journalism. VERDICT A relatively quick read for reluctant readers who need to get through biography and are way past the "Who Was" series. Use to fill a biography collection gap.-Kerri Williams, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

School Library Journal

Julie Rubini does justice to the story of Christine Brennan—the one reporter that has truly gone deep into my story. She is an amazing journalist who is dedicated to honest sports reporting.”—Chuck Ealey, former quarterback, University of Toledo and Canadian Football League, and 1972 Grey Cup Most Valuable Player


“Julie Rubini has captured the essence of Christine Brennan in this wonderful new biography. Chris began playing baseball in the backyard and grew up to be an award-winning journalist. She is a trailblazer, an honorable icon and a friend, at home on the global stage or in your backyard. She is, simply, what we all want to be.”—Hall of Fame sportscaster Lesley Visser


Praise for Julie K. Rubini
“If the children you know think biographies are boring, this one will make them reconsider.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review of Virginia Hamilton: America’s Storyteller)


Praise for Julie K. Rubini
“The biography is eminently readable and well organized … Appended with an impressive wealth of back matter.”—The Horn Book (review of Missing Millie Benson: The Secret Case of the Nancy Drew Ghostwriter and Journalist)

From the Publisher