Mighty Moe: The True Story of a Thirteen-Year-Old Women's Running Revolutionary

This thorough, fascinating biography examines how 20th-century women--and young Maureen Wilton in particular--battled the misconceptions and antagonism surrounding equality for female runners. In 1964, at age 10, Wilton's older brother brought home a running race ribbon, and she knew that she wanted one, too, even though girls were not permitted to run in organized races at that time in Toronto. Undeterred, Wilton's parents found a local running club with an open-minded coach. Soon, Wilton was running in races throughout Canada and the U.S., and she eventually came to hold the world record time in the marathon. Dubbed "Mighty Moe" by the press, Wilton proved the novel notion that female athletes could not only run, but run fast. While Wilton is unquestionably the star of this book, Swaby (Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed the World) and debut author Fox intersperse eye-opening anecdotes of other women runners who faced discrimination and opposition. While the gripping chapters jump around in both chronology and focus, they always circle back to the compelling story of Wilton, who, with the support of her parents and coach, unknowingly revolutionized an entire sport for women. Ages 10-16. (Oct.)

Gr 4-8--In May 1967, at a small race in Toronto, 13-year-old Maureen ("Moe") Wilton broke the world record for a woman running a marathon. Yet there was no prize money, no trophy, and no fanfare. No one seemed to notice this incredible feat except Moe's family, friends, and coach. At the time, women were not welcome in marathons. Long-distance races were considered bad for the female body, causing potential damage to the reproductive system. Paralleling Moe's story is that of Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially register to run the Boston Marathon. She also competed in the same Toronto race as Moe. She registered with her initials to disguise her gender, and when a race official spotted her along the way and realized Switzer was a woman, he tried to force her off the course. It wasn't until the fall of 1972 that the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) made it official that women could participate in marathons. Even then, they had to start 10 minutes behind the men. Following the thread of Moe's running career, Swaby and Fox relay the history of women athletes and the sport of running. Enhanced with photographs of Moe during her running days and chapter and source notes, the text reads smoothly and has a somewhat conversational tone. VERDICT Facts and statistics are seamlessly integrated in this title that will be especially appealing to sports aficionados and students of women's history. Recommended for all middle grade collections.--Katherine Koenig, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

"A story lost to history illuminates the unique way sports supports feminism . . . A story about what running really is: competing with other runners and not against them." —Kirkus Reviews

"The book transports readers to an era of discrimination against women in organized sports and illustrates its effects on one girl's life. . .This involving story is well worth reading." —Booklist

"[A] thorough, fascinating biography." —Publishers Weekly

"Facts and statistics are seamlessly integrated in this title that will be especially appealing to sports aficionados and students of women's history. Recommended for all middle grade collections." —School Library Journal