The Girl Who Ran: Bobbi Gibb, the First Women to Run the Boston Marathon

The authors behind Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine present a tense and uplifting portrait of Bobbi Gibb, who snuck onto the course of the 1966 Boston Marathon and became the first woman to run the race. Chapman's feathery watercolors are infused with a sense of motion: a fiery ribbon trails behind Gibbs as she races across the pages. Gibbs's initial disappointment after being denied entry to the marathon is short-lived: disguised by a hooded sweatshirt, she sprints her way into history; a four-panel gatefold celebrates the moment she crosses the finish line. Closing notes and a timeline provide additional glimpses of Gibbs's accomplishments on and off the track. Ages 5-10. (June)

Gr 3 Up—In this lively narrative, the authors recount the true story of Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Growing up in the 1950s, young Gibb loved to run "into the woods, over the hills, through the fields and by streams." Years later, when she went to Boston to watch the marathon with her father, the young woman was enthralled and later resolved to enter the race. Despite her parents' objections ("Good girls don't run"), she began to train, traveling across the country to practice on different terrains. Her race application was rejected ("Women cannot run marathons"), but undaunted, Gibb disguised herself as a man and joined the runners at the starting line. As the miles flew by and the temperature rose, she had to shed her bulky sweatshirt and reveal her true identity. As she crossed the finish line, history was made. The story is accompanied by rhyming lines of verse that capture Gibb's unquenchable need to run. The old-fashioned charm of the softly colored retro illustrations reflects the essence and style of a bygone era. In a particularly appealing spread, Gibb runs by Wellesley College, buoyed by the support of the coeds. Their words of encouragement are printed above the scene in an eye-catching script. An appended biographical note and time line provide a brief history of the famous race. VERDICT Bobbi Gibb's unrelenting determination will resonate with readers of all ages who dream of accomplishing a seemingly unattainable goal. A pleasing addition to biography and sports collections.—Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston