Review by Booklist Review
This anthology is part memoir, part manifesto. Twenty individuals representing an array of gender identities and varying degrees of athletic prowess share how sports have affected their lives. Selections range from profiles to free verse poems to coming-of-age testimonials, with many directly addressing the reader. The overall tone is inclusive and reassuring, and a common theme is how being on teams created a sense of belonging for people who felt uncomfortable in their assigned societal roles (especially as kids). Many allude to how the camaraderie of sharing a passion and having a support base gave them the courage to come out, transition, or just be themselves. Some names will be familiar (soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe, NFL defensive lineman Carl Nassib), others perhaps not as much (rugby champion Ellia Green, sailor em dickson). Support materials include a discussion on pronouns, a list of additional queer athletes, contributor profiles, suggestions on how to be a good teammate and ally, tips for establishing school Queer Athlete Alliances, and chapter notes. This inspirational compilation will surely resonate with many.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Previous collaborators Locke and Melleby (This Is Our Rainbow) collect first-person narratives of queer athletes--including authors Erik J. Brown, Marieke Nijkamp, and A.J. Sass--and profile impactful figures in this affirming sports assemblage. Centering activities including basketball and horseback riding, with a marked emphasis on ice and water sports, the creators present discussions of identity and togetherness, and how these ideals were fostered, alongside painful challenges surrounding puberty, particularly for nonbinary and transgender athletes. Color photos of the subjects as children and adults appear among sensitively rendered b&w portraits by Vosseteig (Affirmations for Queer People), and callouts depict quotes from contemporary and historical athletes that highlight the importance of finding a welcoming space within sports. Key moments from history punctuate each narrative, further demonstrating how these activities empower queer individuals. Sections titled "Get to Know" feature individuals including Carl Nassib, the first openly gay player in the National Football League, and Ellia Green, a transgender activist and rugby Olympic gold medalist. Includes information about pronouns and how to improve one's allyship. Ages 9--14. Authors' agents: (for Locke) Lara Perkins, Andrea Brown Literary; (for Melleby) Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--6--Locke and Melleby deliver a high interest, meaningful, and hopeful title about athletes and sports. The book features a multitude of stories and essays from athletes, as well as athlete biographies and supporting youth sports--related information by the editors. The stories are from a broad variety of athletes with diverse identities, pronouns, abilities, and backgrounds at different levels in their sport from recreational to professional. The variety of sports range from staples like basketball and soccer to longboarding, sled dog mushing, horseback riding, rugby, and water fitness. The format includes engaging photos from the athletes and broken-out text with bold and colorful important quotes as well as illustrations. Most poignant is the messaging about sports bringing joy and inner strength to all athletes and that sports are for everyone, no matter what their identity. One of the introductory pieces discusses Title IX and due to shifting policies, the book cover includes a helpful QR code to lead readers to the most current and accurate information. The title may be confusing to the intended audience, but the bright, colorful, and bold cover design will likely be the bigger draw. VERDICT A must-purchase not just for sports fans but any reader looking for hope and stories of belonging.--Taylor Skorski
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Profiles of notable queer sports figures paired with essays written by queer, trans, and nonbinary athletes, including popular authors for young people. This work introduces people who helped pave the way in their respective sports for other LGBTQ+ athletes, such as Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, NFL player Carl Nassib, tennis legend Billie Jean King, and soccer champion Megan Rapinoe. In personal essays, contributors reflect on their journeys as queer people in sports. Dutch author Marieke Nijkamp describes being a nonbinary, disabled archer, Olympic medal--winning figure skater Adam Rippon writes about notions of masculinity in skating, and author Erik J. Brown emphasizes the importance of having fun, not just winning. Contributors who have experienced gender dysphoria write about creating healthier relationships with their bodies through sports. While many of these essays are largely hopeful and inspiring, the work doesn't avoid difficult topics. For example, Jamaican American runner CeCé Telfer writes about being prevented from competing against other women at Nationals because of anti-transgender rulings. These stories from people with diverse backgrounds and identities reinforce the importance of having safe spaces to pursue one's passion for sports. Vosseteig's slightly stiff color portraits of the subjects and contributors are interspersed throughout. Readers will learn about the barriers and sense of belonging queer people face in pursuing athletics and the importance of representation. Authentically illustrates the challenges and hope LGBTQ+ athletes find in the world of sports. (note on pronouns, about Title IX, contributor bios, support and advisory materials, selected sources)(Nonfiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
