Welcome to our 2025 Christmas Gift Guide: Sports Superstars from Black History: Inspiring Stories from the Amazing Careers of Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Allyson Felix, Lebron James, and Many More African American Sports Legends by Sophia Murphy. I received a copy of the book in exchange for this review. Inside this post are my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I will make a small percentage from the products you purchase.
When I was #Homeschooling Charlie one of his favorite classes was PE. Charlie hated reading because he struggled with reading like his dad does. If I could find books on things Charlie was interested in, he would read the book grudgingly because he thought he would struggle with the book and people would make fun of him. Because we all know kids can be mean at time.
Over the years Charlie’s reading has improved and Charlie likes to purchase books he finds interesting. When I found out about Sports Superstars from Black History I thought both Charlie and David would be interested in who was in the book. I was right when they looked at the cover of the boo and saw LA Lakers Lebron James on the cover, one of Charlie’s favorite basketball players.
We opened the book and all I heard from Charlie and David was eww and ahh and look dad did you see him or her. Or mom did you know which made for a lot of #teachingmoments in our home. I like how Sports Superstars from Black History: is broken down into chapters. We can read a chapter or two at night or do like David and Charlie did and read the entire book in one sitting.
Sports Superstars from Black History is broken down into different sport genres. The book begins with Tennis with Serena Williams and Althea Gibson who we hadn’t heard of but enjoyed learning about. If we were #Homeschooling, we could have played #Tennis in our classroom and read the book once we finished the game. Then our family could make Cookies or Sandwiches representing items used in a Tennis Game like Tennis Rackets thanks to the Cookie Cutters I found.
Chapter 2 was all about Baseball, In the book we meet Arron Judge, someone my family didn’t know but had fun learning about. Along with Jackie Robinson, who is one of my family’s all-time favorite baseball players.
Charlie and I had fun playing a quick baseball game of after learning of these two amazing men. Would you want to play a baseball game with my family? Charlie made sandwiches in the shape of baseballs and bats using these cookie cutters.
Chapter 3 was Basketball Charlies favorite chapter. In this chapter we learn about Lebron James and Earl Francis Lord someone Charlie had fun learning about. If my family had been #Homeschooling we would have taken a #FieldTrip to see a Basketball Game for PE. Even though Charlie has graduated it isn’t too late to go see a game. Would you want to go with us? Before we go let’s make a Snack using foods in the shapes of a Basketball.
Chapter 4: was all about Football. We meet Russel Wilson and Fritz Pollard people we hadn’t hear of but had a lot of fun learning about. Then we played a pick-up game of Football. Next time come play with us. Then it was snacks in the shapes of Football using these cookie cutters.
Chapter 5: was all about Gymnastics. Charlie has been intrigued with gymnastics taking classes as a toddler. We learned about Simon Biles one of my favorite athletes and Dominique Dawes who we hadn’t heard of but was fun learning about. For even more fun we will be visiting a gym for Charlie to take a class or two and making Cookies in the shapes of gymnastic equipment.
Chapter 6 Track & Field a sport I used to think I should have joined in High School. Can you see my running? Not? Charlie is interested in track & field and would be good at this sport. The Author introduces us to Allyson Felix and Alice Coachman two athletes we hadn’t heard of.
To celebrate this chapter David, Charlie and I went over to our local track to watch a track meet. Would you want to come with us next time? We will make sandwiches and Cookies in the shape of track equipment.
I like how the Author included a final takeaway and how we get to know more about the Author who included references for us to check out. I hope you take the time to share Sports Superstars from Black History with all young children who want to know more about sports. Teachers who teach gym classes and adults who always wanted to play sports and now has the opportunity to share their dream with there children.
About:
Discover how 12 Black athletes overcame seemingly impossible odds and insurmountable challenges to achieve their dreams and make a name for themselves in the fields of football, baseball, basketball, tennis, track and field, and gymnastics—a perfect gift for young sports fans and young athletes!
Kids will immerse themselves in the world of sports as they follow iconic figures, from stars of the past to celebrities of today, through the highs and lows of their careers.
Young readers will discover the inspirational stories of 12 people—some that they might know and love, and some that they may have never heard of before—all winners in their own right. But this book goes beyond touchdowns and home runs.
Each of these figures has overcome many struggles, and kids will learn valuable life lessons from this book’s deeper themes of leadership, perseverance, tenacity, and triumphing over adversity. Featuring stories about:
Allyson Felix and Alice Coachman
Serena Williams and Althea Gibson
Aaron Judge and Jackie Robinson
Lebron James and Earl Francis Lloyd
Russell Wilson and Fritz Pollard
Simone Biles and Dominque Dawes
Meet the Author: Sophia Murphy
Sophia Murphy is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Canada. Inspired by her own two sons and a love of Black History, Sophia wrote Sports Superstars from Black History to encourage young readers with big dreams. Sports Superstars from Black History is Sophia’s first nonfiction chapter book for kids.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
