Gr 5--8--Weintraub's collection of biographies provides both quick overview and intriguing insight into the lives of 35 inspiring female athletes. Each spotlight begins with a color illustration and outstanding statistics. A one-page essay highlights early-to-late career accomplishments and lesser-known facts. Weintraub draws readers in with encouraging information such as Misty Copeland's late introduction to ballet lessons at age 13 and Lisa Fernandez's refusal to accept one coach's critique that her arms were too short for professional pitching. A theme carried through the book is that there is much work left to accomplish: Weintraub incorporates information such as the lack of female jockeys in the history of the Kentucky Derby and notes Grete Eliassen's work to bring attention to the difference in prize money for male and female winners of the X Games. Providing a more complete portrait of what it means to break barriers and engage the world in deeper dialogue about gender equality, Weintraub highlights each subject's efforts in the areas of activism, philanthropy, and advocacy. The collection spans a variety of sports from derby jockey to wheelchair racing to UFC fighting. Filled with vibrant illustrations by Green, the only caveat to this highly readable text is the disjointed layout. The odd-numbered, three-page format of illustration, facts, and essay often misalign with the next spotlighted athlete and may be confusing to some readers. VERDICT A thoughtful and inspiring purchase for upper elementary and middle grade readers that will foster curiosity, questions, and further memoir reading.--Monica Cabarcas, Sutherland M.S., Charlottesville, VA

This appealing anthology profiles 35 exceptional women athletes from a range of sports. Those included are varied in race, ethnicity, and homeland; some are disabled; some are from the LGBTQ+ community; and some are currently active, while others are historically significant. The attractively formatted book features a color drawing of each person, a full-page biography, and one page of brief "amazing facts and unbelievable statistics." Included are well-known athletes (Simone Biles, Serena Williams, Danica Patrick, Ibtihaj Muhammad) as well as less well-known women like UK wheelchair-racer Hannah Cockroft, Kentucky Derby jockey Diane Crump, Canadian rower Silken Laumann, and Japanese mountain-climber Junko Tabei. All share a desire to succeed despite the odds. The book briefly explores how each woman works to overcome challenges and also how they advocate for causes like gender and wage equality, body positivity, diversity and disability rights, or stopping cyberbullying. The biographies, inspirational messages, and mottos make this a good choice for young feminists and sports enthusiasts.