Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3--Wainer's biography of women's basketball rising star Caitlin Clark is engaging and accessible to young readers. She demonstrates how Clark's focus, determination, and love for basketball helped her rise to the top of her sport. While Clark is depicted as a star player, she is also described as "unselfish on the court." When her team didn't win the championship, Clark was motivated to practice more. With cheerful expressions and vivid colors, Marianno's illustrations add details to the narrative of Clark's many accomplishments. VERDICT A good choice for fans of the "Little People, Big Dreams" series, this biography will help inspire young athletes and bring much deserved attention to womens' sports.--Mari Pongkhamsing
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
From backyard ball with her brothers to buzzer-beaters on the big stage, watch WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark rise to basketball stardom. As a child in Iowa, Caitlin loves playing sports with her brothers. Whether she's involved in basketball, soccer, softball, track, or even golf, she's fiercely competitive. Her dad becomes her first basketball coach, and soon it's her favorite sport. College coaches begin watching Caitlin play when she's only a middle schooler, recognizing her bright future. Later, breaking college records and winning countless awards as an Iowa Hawkeye, Caitlin becomes so well known that she fills the Kinnick Stadium with the most people ever to watch a women's basketball game. She leads both NCAA women and men in scoring during her senior year and lands a spot as the number one draft pick for the WNBA's Indiana Fever. Wainer highlights Clark's many impressive accomplishments, but the book may have benefited from some balance by featuring more obstacles overcome or challenges faced. Clark's many fans will be eager to pick this one up, but the strictly expository writing and basic digital illustrations--though vibrant and inviting--add little depth to her story. A slam-dunk subject, but the writing rarely leaves the bench.(Picture-book biography. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
