Marvelous Mabel: Figure Skating Superstar

by Crystal Hubbard (Author) Alleanna Harris (Illustrator)

Marvelous Mabel: Figure Skating Superstar
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Meet Mabel Fairbanks, the skating superstar who became the first Black athlete inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

After watching ice skaters glide and spin at a rink in Central Park, Mabel Fairbanks was determined to learn to skate. But in the 1930s, many places didn't allow Black skaters on the ice, so Mabel practiced on a homemade rink in her bedroom! There she learned how to perform sharp turns and whizzing spins of her own creation. It wasn't long before Mabel needed more room to practice skating, and she returned to one of the rinks that denied her entrance. This time she refused to take no for an answer.

She knew that if they just let her on the ice, she would be the most marvelous skater anyone had ever seen. And she was right, as her trailblazing talent continues to influence the sport today. Written and illustrated with warmth and spirit, this is the true story of how Mabel Fairbanks's determination and grit led her to become America's first Black skating superstar.

Select format:
Hardcover
$20.95

Kirkus Reviews

An account of a sports pioneer that should be widely read and shared. 

ALA/Booklist

Fans of the Winter Olympics, strong female characters, and underdog stories will flock to this title. 

Review quotes

 

Crystal Hubbard
Crystal Hubbard has penned picture books, contemporary and historical romance novels, and short stories. She is the author of Who Is LeBron James? from the Who HQ series.

Stephen Marchesi is an illustrator now residing in Ocean Beach, San Diego. A graduate of the High School of Art and Design (New York City), he earned his BFA degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute (Brooklyn). After working as an assisant art director in an advertising agency he became a freelance illustrator in the children's book field. His paintings and drawings have appeared on over 500 book covers, posters, record and cd covers. He just recently completed his 72nd picture book.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781620149560
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
N/A
Publication date
October 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
BIO000000 - Biography & Autobiography | General
Library of Congress categories
History
United States
Discrimination in sports
Illustrated children's books
Skaters
Fairbanks, Mabel
African American figure skaters
Figure skating coaches
U.S. Figure Skating

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!