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Billie Jean!: How Tennis Star Billie Jean King Changed Women's Sports
A fun and inspiring picture book biography of tennis legend and women's rights activist Billie Jean King.
From award-winning author Mara Rockliff and New York Times-bestselling illustrator Elizabeth Baddeley comes this extraordinary picture book about one little girl who loved sports and grew up to be one of the greatest and best-known tennis players of all time.
Anything Billie Jean did, she did it ALL THE WAY. When she ran, she ran fast. When she played, she played hard. As a top women's tennis player, Billie Jean fought for fairness in women's sports, and when she faced off against Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, the most famous tennis match in history, she showed the world that men and women--and boys and girls--are equal on and off the court.
From award-winning author Mara Rockliff and New York Times-bestselling illustrator Elizabeth Baddeley comes this extraordinary picture book about one little girl who loved sports and grew up to be one of the greatest and best-known tennis players of all time.
Anything Billie Jean did, she did it ALL THE WAY. When she ran, she ran fast. When she played, she played hard. As a top women's tennis player, Billie Jean fought for fairness in women's sports, and when she faced off against Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, the most famous tennis match in history, she showed the world that men and women--and boys and girls--are equal on and off the court.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published August 20, 2019
102 people want to read
About the author
Mara Rockliff
39 books58 followersMara Rockliff is the author of many well-loved books for children. Her newest picture book is All at Once Upon a Time, about which Booklist warns, "Be prepared for this amusing storytime selection to be requested over and over."
Among her best-known titles are Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, winner of the Cook Prize and an Orbis Pictus Honor; Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, distributed to schools and libraries across the country by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission; and Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which in 2023 received a Sibert Honor from the American Library Association.
Under the pen name Lewis B. Montgomery, she also wrote all twelve books in the popular Milo & Jazz Mysteries chapter book series, which has been translated into Spanish, French, Turkish, and Chinese.
Rockliff lives in Western Massachusetts. Visit her online at mararockliff.com.
Among her best-known titles are Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, winner of the Cook Prize and an Orbis Pictus Honor; Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, distributed to schools and libraries across the country by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission; and Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which in 2023 received a Sibert Honor from the American Library Association.
Under the pen name Lewis B. Montgomery, she also wrote all twelve books in the popular Milo & Jazz Mysteries chapter book series, which has been translated into Spanish, French, Turkish, and Chinese.
Rockliff lives in Western Massachusetts. Visit her online at mararockliff.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 18, 2022
Fantastic first book on this important historical event! I remember how this game was the hot topic of conversation; seem to remember that it was pretty much the belief that BJK did not really stand that much of a chance of winning. Think this really inspired a lot of women to pursue sports in a new way after BJK won.
February 19, 2020
I think there are few women who are not familiar with Billie Jean King and the accomplishments she achieved for all women. A tennis star in the latter part of the 20th century (that looks strange, doesn’t it?) Billie Jean King played tennis against Bobby Riggs in a match entitled “The Battle of the Sexes.” Billie Jean won the match and went on to open new paths for women of all ages.
She didn’t start out as champion, however. At one point she was a little girl who was considered overweight and wore “coke bottle” glasses. To overcome the stigma, she began playing tennis where is steadfastly prevailed. She is a role model for all children on perseverance, overcoming bullying and what we all can achieve when we work hard. Billie Jean, by Mara Rockliff, is a well told story of an amazing woman whose legacy should be known by children everywhere.
She didn’t start out as champion, however. At one point she was a little girl who was considered overweight and wore “coke bottle” glasses. To overcome the stigma, she began playing tennis where is steadfastly prevailed. She is a role model for all children on perseverance, overcoming bullying and what we all can achieve when we work hard. Billie Jean, by Mara Rockliff, is a well told story of an amazing woman whose legacy should be known by children everywhere.
May 11, 2019
I learned a few things about Billie Jean King that I hadn't already known including her catch phrase "peanut butter" when she screwed something up or something bad happened. But I was more upset, as anyone should be, with how she was treated as she got started in the sport in terms of how she was questioned (versus a man in the sport) like asking her what necklace she was wearing instead of anything related to the game of tennis.
It's a significant picture book biography about women doing things in sports as they broke down barriers and paved the way for others (with a sentimental line about how Serena Williams- GOAT- greeted King in the stands when she one a major tournament) and how she kicked some male ass in the "Battle of the Sexes" because she simply worked harder.
It's a significant picture book biography about women doing things in sports as they broke down barriers and paved the way for others (with a sentimental line about how Serena Williams- GOAT- greeted King in the stands when she one a major tournament) and how she kicked some male ass in the "Battle of the Sexes" because she simply worked harder.
April 8, 2019
Phil-a-del-phi-a Freedom
I love, love, love you
Yes I do.
(Yes, Elton John wrote this specificially about Billie Jean King -- that's the sound of her stomping towards the net, mad at the umpire!)
Billie Jean King was (and is!) an amazing tennis star in her own right; all the more so when you realize the hurdles she had to overcome, even in post-game interviews, simply because "girls have to ___". Women can do whatever they put their minds to!
I love, love, love you
Yes I do.
(Yes, Elton John wrote this specificially about Billie Jean King -- that's the sound of her stomping towards the net, mad at the umpire!)
Billie Jean King was (and is!) an amazing tennis star in her own right; all the more so when you realize the hurdles she had to overcome, even in post-game interviews, simply because "girls have to ___". Women can do whatever they put their minds to!
June 3, 2021
Billie Jean!: How Tennis Star Billie Jean King Changed Women's Sports is a children's picture book written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. Billie Jean King's positive energy and dedication to her endless battle for the simple idea of equality are captured in this profile of the tennis legend.
Billie Jean King is an American former World No. 1 professional tennis player. King won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. She often represented the United States in the Federation Cup and the Wightman Cup.
Rockliff's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Rockliff reveals, by centering the many obstacles, the pervasive dimensions of the prejudices King faced, heightening her continued perseverance and eventual victories. Backmatter includes an author’s note and further information. Baddeley's illustrations aptly evoke King's steely determination through frustrations and joys.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. From a childhood in which tennis was presented as the only sport for girls, to her ultimate triumph in the legendary "Battle of the Sexes" against Bobby Riggs in 1973, King's career was shaped by defying sexist expectations. Though the book ends with the match against Riggs, an author's note delves further into King's activism for women's sports, Title IX, and LGBTQ communities.
All in all, Billie Jean!: How Tennis Star Billie Jean King Changed Women's Sports is a must-read for young equal rights warriors.
Billie Jean King is an American former World No. 1 professional tennis player. King won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. She often represented the United States in the Federation Cup and the Wightman Cup.
Rockliff's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Rockliff reveals, by centering the many obstacles, the pervasive dimensions of the prejudices King faced, heightening her continued perseverance and eventual victories. Backmatter includes an author’s note and further information. Baddeley's illustrations aptly evoke King's steely determination through frustrations and joys.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. From a childhood in which tennis was presented as the only sport for girls, to her ultimate triumph in the legendary "Battle of the Sexes" against Bobby Riggs in 1973, King's career was shaped by defying sexist expectations. Though the book ends with the match against Riggs, an author's note delves further into King's activism for women's sports, Title IX, and LGBTQ communities.
All in all, Billie Jean!: How Tennis Star Billie Jean King Changed Women's Sports is a must-read for young equal rights warriors.
November 25, 2019
An inspiring story of tennis champion Billie Jean King who changed the look, attitude, and world of tennis and other sports for women. Her push for fair treatment under Title IX in 1972 was successful and she was the first woman athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of freedom in 2009.
September 16, 2019
She was warned.
She was given an explanation.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
She was given an explanation.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
August 29, 2019
Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.
August 26, 2019
Great PB biography
August 18, 2019
3.5 stars strong biography
December 17, 2019
I am not a "sports person," so I honestly don't think I would have just randomly grabbed this book to read (like the other tennis books I have read/reviewed so far, my sister is to thank for my discovery of them). I expected this to be another book about someone overcoming a struggle (physical, environmental, societal, etc) and then becoming a famous sports person. I don't want to belittle those achievements, as they are difficult and worth praising, but it also isn't something I particularly enjoy reading. So, I was very surprised to love this book so much! I had no idea that Billie Jean did so much for women's rights and she is now my superhero! This was a wonderful introduction to her, and a great mini-biography as it covers a great chunk of her life. It is a perfect way to introduce children to the woman who completely changed the face of women's sports. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
August 12, 2019
Mara Rockliff always strikes the perfect balance, including just the right information in the text and topping off the reader's curiosity with a strong author's note. Great picture book biography of a progressive and impressive woman.
February 10, 2020
I was able to convince many reluctant boy readers to give this a chance recently, and I have to say I felt a little pride in that, but I don't think that I would have been able if I didn't learn so much about Billie Jean King from the book first. This was a very informative text, and yet, it still maintained an engaging narrative thread. This is the sort of biography that I could keep in the short list for kids looking for sports biographies on subjects with which they aren't necessarily familiar.
August 3, 2019
An inspiring introduction to the groundbreaking athelete and activist.
May 1, 2020
"Anything Billie Jean did, she did it ALL THE WAY."
Rockliff's writing and Baddeley's illustrations make this a great read aloud in grades k-3 and an engaging story for older students to pick up and read on their own or with a partner.
While making the narrative more engaging, the reoccurring phrase "ALL THE WAY" also reveals a clear theme in the book, that Billie Jean gives life her all whether she's playing a sport or fighting for equal rights. This is a great introduction - clear, crisp even - to what it takes to fight for equal rights. Appreciate that Rockliff doesn't "tell the reader" what Billie Jean was feeling (e.g., "angry," "frustrated") but instead lets readers draw their own conclusions.
The illustrations support and extend the narrative. Our youngest students could look closely at illustrations and retell the story on their own (after a read aloud). They could also lean in and pick out details in the illustrations that support what's happening in the text. There are a few pages with speech bubbles that brilliantly extend the ideas in the text (e.g., examples of what reporters asked male tennis players versus Billie Jean). BTW--Baddeley is a "go to" illustrator for me.
Read this aloud JUST FOR JOY and then/or maybe engage in an INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD, pausing for conversations around questions like, "How did Billie Jean go ALL THE WAY in this part of the story?" and "What does it mean to go ALL THE WAY?" (Note - I would give students a heads up that the narrative starts many decades ago--1940's; this may not be clear at first.)
This is a great addition to a grow set of books on female athletes.
I'd PARTNER THIS BOOK WITH TITLES LIKE-
*Girls with Guts: The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records (Gonzales, 2019)
*Trudy's Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm (Macy, 2017)
*Her Fearless Run: Kathrine Switer's Historic Boston Marathon (Chaffee, 2019)
*Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams (Cline-Ransome, 2018)
*Yusra Swims (Abery, 2020)
Rockliff's writing and Baddeley's illustrations make this a great read aloud in grades k-3 and an engaging story for older students to pick up and read on their own or with a partner.
While making the narrative more engaging, the reoccurring phrase "ALL THE WAY" also reveals a clear theme in the book, that Billie Jean gives life her all whether she's playing a sport or fighting for equal rights. This is a great introduction - clear, crisp even - to what it takes to fight for equal rights. Appreciate that Rockliff doesn't "tell the reader" what Billie Jean was feeling (e.g., "angry," "frustrated") but instead lets readers draw their own conclusions.
The illustrations support and extend the narrative. Our youngest students could look closely at illustrations and retell the story on their own (after a read aloud). They could also lean in and pick out details in the illustrations that support what's happening in the text. There are a few pages with speech bubbles that brilliantly extend the ideas in the text (e.g., examples of what reporters asked male tennis players versus Billie Jean). BTW--Baddeley is a "go to" illustrator for me.
Read this aloud JUST FOR JOY and then/or maybe engage in an INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD, pausing for conversations around questions like, "How did Billie Jean go ALL THE WAY in this part of the story?" and "What does it mean to go ALL THE WAY?" (Note - I would give students a heads up that the narrative starts many decades ago--1940's; this may not be clear at first.)
This is a great addition to a grow set of books on female athletes.
I'd PARTNER THIS BOOK WITH TITLES LIKE-
*Girls with Guts: The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records (Gonzales, 2019)
*Trudy's Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm (Macy, 2017)
*Her Fearless Run: Kathrine Switer's Historic Boston Marathon (Chaffee, 2019)
*Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams (Cline-Ransome, 2018)
*Yusra Swims (Abery, 2020)
April 29, 2023
For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle
A fantastic and inspiring biography picture book about the career of Billie Jean King. The book focuses mainly on King's tennis career with a little more about her personal life included in the backmatter.
Throughout the story, King is faced with sexist remarks, questions, and treatment. A great opportunity to talk about unfair treatment (girls having to wear shirts and dresses, women being paid less, biased questions) and standing up against discrimination.
While the text is simple, its story is well-told and engaging. The narration wonderfully captures the excitement of King winning the "Battle of the Sexes", and its inspirational impact.
Great illustrations with realistic representations of an athlete's body. Nice themes of working hard, fighting against injustice, and doing whatever it takes to reach your dream.
There is an Author's Note at the end, which details other aspects of King's life, including her work with the Women's Sports Foundation, being one of the first openly gay female athletes, and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
A great biography for young readers with simple text, engaging illustrations, and an impactful story.
A fantastic and inspiring biography picture book about the career of Billie Jean King. The book focuses mainly on King's tennis career with a little more about her personal life included in the backmatter.
Throughout the story, King is faced with sexist remarks, questions, and treatment. A great opportunity to talk about unfair treatment (girls having to wear shirts and dresses, women being paid less, biased questions) and standing up against discrimination.
While the text is simple, its story is well-told and engaging. The narration wonderfully captures the excitement of King winning the "Battle of the Sexes", and its inspirational impact.
Great illustrations with realistic representations of an athlete's body. Nice themes of working hard, fighting against injustice, and doing whatever it takes to reach your dream.
There is an Author's Note at the end, which details other aspects of King's life, including her work with the Women's Sports Foundation, being one of the first openly gay female athletes, and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
A great biography for young readers with simple text, engaging illustrations, and an impactful story.
June 25, 2020
Billie Jean King grew up during a time in sports where men and women were treated very differently. As a child, she started playing tennis. She was actually very good, though her parents didn't have enough money to send her to a country club or pay for private lessons. Billie Jean just worked hard. Not only did she become a world famous tennis player, she also played a vital role in fighting for equality in women's sports.
Now, if you read the first part of my blog, you know that sports are not my thing. And while I do know a little about some sports, like baseball and football, I really don't know anything about tennis. If you asked me to name a tennis player, I could probably only come up with Venus and Serena Williams. I had never heard of Billie Jean King. What a hero though! I loved her "prove them wrong" attitude and her drive. I love that she was passionate enough to stand up for what she believed in, and that like a true leader, she was able to rally the troups to make a difference. Great book for teaching about gender equality, and perseverance.
https://mrsjamis.wixsite.com/misslibr...
Now, if you read the first part of my blog, you know that sports are not my thing. And while I do know a little about some sports, like baseball and football, I really don't know anything about tennis. If you asked me to name a tennis player, I could probably only come up with Venus and Serena Williams. I had never heard of Billie Jean King. What a hero though! I loved her "prove them wrong" attitude and her drive. I love that she was passionate enough to stand up for what she believed in, and that like a true leader, she was able to rally the troups to make a difference. Great book for teaching about gender equality, and perseverance.
https://mrsjamis.wixsite.com/misslibr...
January 13, 2020
A Wimbledon illustration seems wrong. Today, at least, they list the women as "Miss King" and the illustration doesn't include the title.
Very inspiring to see how Billie Jean charged ahead, survived interviews that asked about her jewelry, hair, and clothes, helped form the WTA, and won the Battle of the Sexes.
Very inspiring to see how Billie Jean charged ahead, survived interviews that asked about her jewelry, hair, and clothes, helped form the WTA, and won the Battle of the Sexes.
February 21, 2022
When Billie Jean was featured during the Superbowl, I thought "this is a great, inspiring story. I wonder if there is a picture book about it." Sure enough, this is that picture book and it exceeded my expectations! Informative, fun, and inspiring, the book kept me engaged the entire time despite being a little bit longer than the typical picture book. I can't wait to share it with my students!
April 17, 2022
Nice one - love these biographies of female athletes. This one was tough to get my 4.5 year old to read because she felt like BJK's face looked angry on the cover but once we finally read it she enjoyed it and I think appreciated how ridiculous it was for Billie Jean to have to be pushed into the Battle of the Sexes. Well done but in length better suited to an in class read than a storytime.
Read
September 30, 2019This is an inspiring and informative book about a tennis great who not only worked hard at the game, but was also a fierce advocate of equal rights in women's sports. A wonderful book to add to a picture book biography collection.
October 22, 2019
Meh. There was nothing wrong with this book; nothing. There was nothing really great either. It was another biography picture book, which I like. But, really, not many kids play tennis and even less want to read a picture book this long.
October 27, 2019
This was ok as a biography break read aloud but I liked the depth of the Brad Metzler bio much better. This one aboided anything contoversial.
Perhaps I also dudn't find much to love in the illustrations.
Perhaps I also dudn't find much to love in the illustrations.
December 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this picture book bio of athlete and activist Billie Jean King, buuuuuut I wish it had talked a little bit more about her life outside of sports. For someone with such a rich story, I wish some of it had been touched on a bit more in depth.
March 8, 2020
I think it's hard to really explain how important she and her moment were in the history of women's sports...nowadays I think most kids will look and this and say a boy plays a girl in tennis, big deal. This book does a great job communicating that importance to kids.
August 5, 2020
Great, high-energy picture book biography with fantastic illustrations. I especially liked King's peeved expressions when asked sexist questions by the press. Women have come a long way in sports but still have a long way to go.
Want to read
July 1, 2019Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
October 1, 2019
I'm not crazy about the illustrations. Proportions and faces are a little off in some places. But it's a good story and it's well told.
October 2, 2019
Interesting, inspirational, and informative.
November 9, 2019
This is a nice, easy, picture book biography of Billie Jean King. It will be a great introduction for kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews