Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson

It's always good for kids to read about flawed heroes. Nobody really, deep down, wants to read about some guy whose only "flaw" is that they didn't brush their teeth before breakfast.Althea Gibson, as the title should make clear, has bigger flaws. As a kid, she was a petty thief. She didn't attend class. She stayed out late. And when she was given an opportunity and people fell all over themselves to help her, all she could do is say she didn't come to work on her *manners*, just her *sports*.She is fun to read about, that's for sure. And the triumph of being the first black person to win a Grand Slam (along with her partner, the first Jewish person to do the same) is sweeter for all that we learn that working on her self control helped with that.There's a nice afterword in the end with more information, including names of her own autobiographies.The one thing about this book I'm not to sure of is the artwork. Throughout the book, Althea is drawn with a wave of rainbow colors around her and following her. It does convey movement and all... but it also looks a little strange. I'm not sure what I think about it yet.

This book will be a gift and arrived in great condition. Packaged and arrived in a timely fashion.

I loved this book! The illustrations are really wonderful and started some interesting conversations with the kids I have read it to. I also like that she had to learn some valuable lessons in order to win at Wimbledon - like how to be a good sport, control her anger, and learn the rules of the game. The book also does a great job of talking about her past and how she overcame some hyperactivity and getting into trouble to do some excellent things. Lastly, I loved how the book talked about the importance of being grateful to those who help you along the way. Definitely recommend:-)

Bought this a gift. It was well received and a good read about an important person in sports history and equal rights!

This book read a little tone deaf given the times we live in today. I think it is admirable that a white woman wants to write about a black tennis athlete but it doesn’t feel like how a black woman may have written this story and thus it continued some really negative stereotypes about black women from low class status. I felt this was a harmful story and regretted buying it and ended up getting rid of it.

I had expected more text in this book, so slightly disappointed.

Great story!

Great story, great pictures!

Gift for my daughter she loves it

Lovely

Good