About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a plateau in their skills or feeling discouraged by a lack of resources compared to their peers. It is a powerful tool for discussing how vision, discipline, and a tight-knit support system can overcome systemic barriers and humble beginnings. The story follows Venus and Serena Williams from the public courts of Compton to the world stage, emphasizing that their success was a family project built on grit and mutual encouragement. While the book focuses on their athletic rise, it deeply explores themes of sibling loyalty and the mental toughness required to ignore critics. It is written in an accessible, fast-paced style perfect for middle-grade readers. Parents will value how it frames competition not as a reason for jealousy, but as a way to push one another to greatness. It is an inspiring choice for teaching that 'where you start' does not define 'where you finish.'
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book depicts instances of overt racism directed at the Williams sisters and their family, including being unfairly penalized by referees and facing racist taunts from the crowd. It also shows how they were initially dismissed and underestimated by commentators and other players because they didn't fit the traditional mold of tennis stars. The approach is direct and realistic, showing how the sisters used these challenges as fuel. The resolution is triumphant and hopeful.
