Her Fearless Run: Kathrine Switzer's Historic Boston Marathon

by Kim Chaffee, Ellen Rooney (Illustrator)

Overview

Kathrine Switzer changed the world of running. This narrative biography follows Kathrine from running laps as a girl in her backyard to becoming the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with official race numbers in 1967. Her inspirational true story is for anyone willing to challenge the rules.

The compelling collage art adds to the kinetic action of the story. With tension and heart, this biography has the influential power to get readers into running. An excellent choice for sports fans, New Englanders, young dreamers, and competitive girls and boys alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781624146541
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	04/02/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,155,661
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 11.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Kim Chaffee, a life-long New Englander and debut author, is a former second-grade teacher now focusing on writing and being a mom. She holds a BA in history anda master’s in education. In addition to blogging about picture books for parents, teachers, and writers, she runs as well as organizes a local annual race. She lives with her family in New Hampshire.

Ellen Rooney grew up watching the Boston Marathon and now spends her time as an illustrator and designer. She has her BFA from the University of Victoria. Apainter, printmaker, collage artist, and debut picture book illustrator, she now resides in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband.

Editorial Reviews

★ 03/25/2019

Kathrine Switzer turned heads when she ran—doing laps around her yard at a time when girls weren’t supposed to sweat, competing with the boys’ track team in college, and, in 1967, as the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon. Chaffee’s effective telling of Switzer’s iconic story emphasizes persistence, ambition, and discipline—the “pat, pat, pat, pat” of the runner’s tread is a repeated refrain—but centers on her love of the sport: “She thought running was magic.” When she completes the marathon, eluding an attack by a race official, she is asked why she did it, and says, “I like to run. Women deserve to run too.” In Rooney’s bright, straightforward illustrations, mixed media renders dramatic moments small (cutting sneakers to accommodate training-swollen toes) and large (the rage-twisted face of the race official), amplifying the empowering message. Ages 8–11. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

*"Fearless indeed. A biography that goes the distance!" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"Chaffee’s effective telling of Switzer’s iconic story emphasizes persistence, ambition, and discipline... Rooney’s bright, straightforward illustrations, mixed media renders dramatic moments small (cutting sneakers to accommodate training-swollen toes) and large (the rage-twisted face of the race official), amplifying the empowering message." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Students will enjoy reading about this remarkable woman who was determined to prove that girls are just as capable as boys. An empowering story that belongs in all picture book biography sections." —School Library Journal

"[Her Fearless Run] is a perfect complement to Pimental’s Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon... Rooney’s mixed-media collage composition and vivid color choice convey both the pure joy of running throughout the seasons and the steely determination in Switzer’s piercing blue eyes." —BCCB

From the Publisher

02/01/2019

Gr 3–5–Chaffee tells the story of Kathrine Switzer, the first registered female runner for the Boston Marathon. This picture book biography begins with her love of running as a child and progresses through her training for the 1967 Boston Marathon to the day of the actual race. Detailed mixed-media illustrations of onlookers showing their disapproval emphasize that Switzer's passion for running was seen as strange. Readers can practically see the wind rushing through her hair, and the resolve on her face is evident. Students will enjoy reading about this remarkable woman who was determined to prove that girls are just as capable as boys. VERDICT An empowering story that belongs in all picture book biography sections.—V. Lynn Christiansen, Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC

School Library Journal

★ 2019-01-28

Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an officially registered runner, is highlighted in this debut for both author and illustrator.

Each time she races past the tree in her backyard, 12-year-old Kathrine marks its trunk with chalk to record her laps. "One lap to go…just a few more feet…a few steps…1 MILE!" Though she's proud of her accomplishment, other people stare or wonder if something is wrong, because girls aren't supposed to sport. But for Kathrine, "running [is] magic." As she grows up, she continues to challenge her physical limits. Yet despite her running prowess, society still believes women are "too weak, too fragile," to compete. However, no rules bar women from running the Boston Marathon, so Switzer signs up for the race. As if training weren't difficult enough, what Switzer encounters during the 26.2 miles will take more than passion and endurance for her to finish. Readers eager to chase down biographies that feel like stories will appreciate how this book achieves that expectation. Chaffee's text balances thorough research with strong prose that breaks through the wall that stops some nonfiction in its tracks. Additionally, Rooney's collagelike paint, paper, and pencil illustrations are rich in texture and vibrant in color, capturing both the motion of running and emotion of persevering. They include some people of color to background the mostly white primary cast.

Fearless indeed. A biography that goes the distance! (author's note, women and the Boston Marathon, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 6-12)

Kirkus Reviews