The heart of the storm A biography of Sue Bird

This picture-book biography introduces Sue Bird as a shy child who followed in her older sister's footsteps, trying one sport after another until she discovered basketball. Not the tallest or strongest on the court, she developed her focus, memory, and awareness to help her teams win games. She seized opportunities to play on high-achieving teams in high school and in college. After knee surgery sidelined her during her freshman year at UConn, she analyzed the game from the bench. During her senior year, her team achieved their goal: an undefeated season. Drafted by the Seattle Storm in 2002, Bird has led that team to four WNBA championships. She has also won five Olympic gold medals. The book's informative back matter includes more biographical details, an unusually helpful time line, and an introduction to Title IX and its far-ranging effects. Well organized and concise, the text highlights personal qualities and decisions that have helped Bird succeed. Rooney, whose illustration efforts include Kim Chaffee's Her Fearless Run (2019), illustrates the story with color and drama. A lively introduction to a basketball star.

Gr 2--4--An exciting full-color spread of Bird's final three-point shot for the Seattle Storm in the last seconds of Game 5 of the 2018 WNBA Semifinals gives way to a traditional chronological biography, from Bird's active childhood on Long Island to her high school and college career through her professional history. Even when injured, as during her freshman year at the University of Connecticut, she worked hard to learn everything she could about the sport from the sidelines. Rooney paints active figures adeptly and dynamically, and also conveys the characters' relationships through their expressions. Back matter includes more information about Bird's life on and off the court, Title IX, Bird's awards and accomplishments, a time line, and a glossary. VERDICT An in-depth look at a modern sports role model, perfect for sports fans' shelves.--Jenny Arch

AGAIN. BIRD GETS THE REBOUND. Forty-six seconds left... another three-point shot... IT'S GOOD! UNBELIVEABLE! Sue Bird has just scored fourteen points in the last five minutes of this game to put the Storm up by ten. >>BUZZ<< Final score 94-84! SUE BIRD and the SEATTLE STORM are heading to the 2018 WNBA Finals! Many years before that thrilling night, Suzy Bird was a feisty little girl who couldn't stop moving. As soon as she could walk--she ran, jumped, or climbed instead. This terrified her parents until they noticed how easily she moved, with quickness and grace. Then they worried less, and let her follow her heart. Sue was naturally quiet and a little shy. In her sleepy little town on Long Island, New York, she could play alone for hours, building a private magical world all her own. But always, she grew restless. Then it was time to go outside, where a whole world waited, ready to be explored. Sue was tougher than she looked, and bumps and bruises made her proud. Everything she loved and all her talents seemed to fit together like a beautiful puzzle. Suzy the Barbie doll player and Suzy the tree climber were simply different parts of the same person! And if someone didn't understand that--well, that was their problem. Sue was perfectly comfortable being herself. As Sue grew older, she discovered she had a remarkable memory. She could hear a song once and remember all the lyrics and recite whole movie scenes flawlessly. And she never worried about getting lost. She always knew how far she had gone, which turns she'd made, and how long it would take to make her way back home. Sue adored her older sister, Jen. Wherever Jen went, Sue followed. Whatever new sport Jen tried, Sue wasn't far behind. Gymnastics, track, volleyball, swimming, tennis! Soccer soon became a favorite. She paid close attention to how the game was played and practiced drills for hours. Before long, no local girls' teams were playing at her skill level. When an invitation arrived to join an all-boys team instead, she didn't hesitate. It was a rocky start. Then the boys saw how well she could play, and all the teasing stopped. One day, Jen picked up a basketball. The rhythm, energy, and grace of the game quickly won Sue's heart. All you needed was a ball and a basket! She began spending as much time as she could shooting hoops in her driveway or playing one-on-one pickup games with her best friend, Brad. The two were evenly matched, and she learned to never give an inch. Sue began to dream. Maybe one day, she would play in the Olympics! Excerpted from The Heart of the Storm: A Biography of Sue Bird by Sharon Mentyka All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.