About This Lesson
Past Present hosted by author Lesa Cline-Ransome is where to discover new ways to appreciate children’s literature by exploring the many diverse stories from the past. Every once in awhile, Lesa celebrates modern-day heroes. In this episode, Lesa tells us the story of history-makers Venus and Serena Williams and about the making of her book GAME CHANGERS which explores whether the sisters were tennis champions born or made.
About the Book
GAME CHANGERS: THE STORY OF VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS
by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome
Venus and Serena Williams. Two peas in a pod. Best friends. Sisters.
Six days a week they awoke before the sun came up to practice their serves and returns, to learn to run faster and hit harder. They were unstoppable. At age fourteen, Venus played her first professional match. Three years later, it was Serena’s turn. It wasn’t easy. Some tennis fans cheered for these two fresh faces, while those who were unhappy to see two black girls competing in a nearly all-white sport booed and taunted them. But they didn’t let it stop them.
With vibrant mixed media art, nonfiction superstars Lesa Cline-Ransome and Coretta Scott King Honor winner James E. Ransome share the inspirational story of two tennis legends who were fierce competitors on the courts, but close sisters above all.
