Unbeatable Betty

By Allison Crotzer Kimmel, Joanie Stone (Illustrator)

A plane crash can't stop her Olympic dreams. Will she run again?

4.8/7 Bookroo expert·4.1/5 Goodreads · 120 ratings

40 pages

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

At sixteen, Betty Robinson became the first female gold medalist in track and field. A plane crash shattered her dreams, leaving her in a wheelchair. Undeterred, Betty fought to walk, run, and compete again. As the 1936 Olympics approached, could she defy the odds and reclaim her place on the podium? This inspiring tale of resilience and determination will captivate young readers, showing that true champions rise above adversity.

From the publisher

An inspiring picture book biography of the first woman to win a gold medal in track and field. Young readers intrigued by the Summer 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will be inspired by this story.

With Joanie Stone’s colorful illustrations and Allison Crotzer Kimmel’s inspirational text, this biography is a reminder of how it takes more than sheer talent to be a champion; an unbeatable spirit of determination and hard work is also needed.

At only sixteen years old, Betty Robinson became the first female gold medalist in track and field in the 1928 Olympics and an overnight sensation. She was set for gold again and had her eyes on the 1932 Olympics.

Her plans changed forever when a horrible plane crash left her in a wheelchair, with one leg shorter than the other. But Betty didn’t let that stop her. In less than five years, she relearned how to stand, to walk, and finally to run again and try to taste gold once more in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Perfect for Women’s History units, as well as for reports on lesser-known sports heroes, Unbeatable Betty includes an author’s note narrating Betty’s later life after her win, as well as a bibliography.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture

Themes & topics

Books about strong female characters Books about perseverance Books about sports and recreation Books about the Olympics Books about girls and women

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.8

out of 7

4.8

“This is a great story of resilience and perseverance, well told and well illustrated. Betty Robinson's story is interesting and inspiring, and there's a lot of information here. It might be a bit long for preschoolers, but it's perfect for elementary school readers.”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one