Becoming Somebody: Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher

"Althea Gibson was the tallest, wildest tomboy in the history of Harlem. Everybody said so."

An indifferent student who often cut class to stay in the game, Althea skirted getting into real trouble only by her devotion to street sports. Still, without the intervention of a part-time playground social worker, a Black tennis coach, and significant patrons who were able to spot her incredible athletic ability in the raw, Althea Gibson might never have risen to become the first African-American to win at Wimbledon.

The way to Wimbledon in 1957 was nearly impossible for an African-American, born the child of Southern sharecroppers in pre Civil Rights America. Only her drive and athletic ability enabled Althea to stick it out until she got her chance to prove her mettle. "If the field of sports has got to pave the way for all civilization, let's do it," she said. And she did.

Greg Crouch's illustrations catch the kinetic genius of Althea Gibson, all long lines and swirling motion as the young tomboy follows her crooked path to success. Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson, is a great read-aloud for Black History Month, especially paired with Kathleen Krull's Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman. Both of these women athletes broke the mold to break the records and are an inspiration to girls today.