Perfect Match: The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton

by Lori Dubbin, Amanda Quartey (Illustrator)

Overview

When Althea Gibson first dreamed of joining the big American tennis leagues, she was denied because she was Black. Angela Buxton dreamed of joining the best tennis clubs in Britain, but she was rejected because she was Jewish. When Angela heard that Althea was coming to Britain to compete, she skipped school to see the match. If Althea didn't let hatred stop her from playing the game she loved, Angela wouldn't either.

At the French Championships in 1956, Angela told Althea about her dream of winning Wimbledon with a doubles partner. To win as a team, they would have to stick to their strengths—together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798765603000
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/10/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 11.25(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 9 Years

About the Author

Lori Dubbin is a writer and a former early childhood educator. She enjoys researching and writing about unsung heroes who have contributed to our world in remarkable ways. She hopes her stories show young readers that kindness, teamwork, and persistence can make a difference. She and her husband have three grown sons and live in Miami, Florida.

Amanda Quartey was born and raised in London. At age fourteen, she moved to Ghana, where she studied art, returning to the UK to study graphic design. Amanda has built a professional illustration portfolio and loves every bit of her illustration career!

Editorial Reviews

"Althea and Angela's love of the game of tennis is as obvious as the challenges they face in the eyes of adversity. Readers will be cheering for their successes long after the last page is turned. Reviewer Rating: 5" —Children's Literature

From the Publisher

09/20/2024

Gr 1–3—A nonfiction picture book about Althea Gibson, the Black American tennis player, and Angela Buxton, a Jewish British tennis player, whose friendship led to them playing doubles at Wimbledon in 1956. The story is short, simple, and easy to follow, making it suitable for younger audiences. Readers can find more information and historical photos in the author's note, which details some of Gibson's achievements. While the book focuses on the players' friendship and how cooperation helped them succeed, it also addresses the racism and prejudice they faced in their careers. The illustrations are bright and fun, with the action shots dynamic and interesting, although the illustrations for quieter, narrative portions are more generic. The story has good pacing, speeding up as the book goes on with fewer words on each page, which makes it perfect for reading aloud. VERDICT Recommended for history, sports, and biography collections looking for excellent picture books that ably diversify their offerings for this age group.—Shelby Hogle

School Library Journal