Genre 4: Biographies

Bibliography

Freedman, Russell. 1999. Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion. ISBN 0-395-63367-2

Plot Summary

In this book, Russell Freedman tells the story of the life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias. He gives an up close look at what made "Babe" the athlete she is known as today. Babe was born Mildred Didriksen in a Southeast Texas town called Beaumont. She was one of several children who were reared by hardworking parent who did their best to raise a family on their meager earnings. As a young child, when most girls were playing with dolls, Babe was climbing trees and hopping freight cars with the neighborhood boys. Because her strength and abilities matched that of the boys she often roughed it with, many people called Babe a tomboy. This teasing didn't bother her, but only seemed to fuel her desire to be the best at every sport imaginable. She played baseball, basketball, tennis, ran track, was an excellent swimmer, and skater. She was also a golfer, a sport she wasn't initially good at but eventually excelled in because of her perserverance. Because Babe was a woman and often told that she was participating in what should be only male dominated sports, she was more determined to break records and beat the odds. Her will to be the best won her Olympic medals and countless first place rankings in every sport she played. Even though she loved the attention she was getting from sport's enthusiasts, Babe never forgot about her family back in Texas. She often sent them most of the money she earned while playing professional sports and while she worked as a secretary. Over the years she also found love with George Zaharias, a popular wrestler who she had been paired with in hopes of learning to improve her golfing game. They later married and remained married although their union became rocky over the years because of his insecurities about Babe receiving more attention from the media than he did. During her years of continuing to put female athletes on the map, she also became friends with many celebrities such as Babe Ruth, her namesake, Bob Hope, and President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Moreover, just as others had helped to shape Babe's career, she was there to do the same for Betty Dodd. Betty was an up and coming athlete who reminded Babe a lot of herself at that age. These two formulated a close relationship and whenever the star sport's woman needed Betty, she was there. The bond they shared really helped Babe to fight the illnesses that untimately caused her death. Betty along with Babe's husband George, who took her sickness (cancer of the colon and lymph nodes) very hard, was there every step of the way. Even in her darkest hour, Babe was determined to fight to the very end. Babe's neverending fight to prove herself just as capable as any man when it comes to sport's is how most people remember her.

Critical Analysis

Freedman's book about the life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias was easygoing and light hearted. He allowed us to enjoy the successes of Babe as we read about her many achievements. Freedman's description of this energetic star athlete kept us wondering about what record Babe would break next. In this biography, the author gave the reader not just a glimpse but an in depth look into the many sides of Babe. We learned about her humble beginnings, her school career, where she was an excellent athlete, but just did average in her school work, and her overzealousness to tackle every sport invented, many played simutaneously. We even got to learn about the plain girl who hated frills and "was more interested in being cheered than in cheering others. Besides, she never wore jewelry, hated makep, and didn't care about fussy clothing." The reader also was able to enjoy the comedic side of Babe. She was once asked if there was any sport she didn't play and her quick witted response was "I don't play dolls."

How can one not fall for the smile that graced many of the black and white pictures of this book? There was a picture of Babe playing almost every sport she played and we can almost see how very much she enjoyed what she was doing. Babe tried her hand at acting and had small parts on Broadway, but only sports brought out the best in the medalist. Freedman's ability to show us the "hometown" girl at heart reminded us that it's always good to remember one's roots because it's often what helps keeps us grounded and focused on our goals and aspirations. Moreover, it is obvious that biographer Russell Freedman took great care in his research for the book because we were allowed a personal view of this historical sport's champion, Babe Didrikson Zaharias. On the other hand, it may be agreed that there was a closed ending to this story. The reader learned that she had a close friendship with Betty Dodd. When the relationship was described it was only said that they had a "close intimate friendship." This may cause some to wonder if there was more to the relationship between Babe and Betty than what was said.

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year 1999
American Library Association notable Books for Children 2000
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award (Nominated in 2000)

Starred Review in School Library Journal: "Animated writing and action photographs capture the energy and indomitable spirit of a true champion."
Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly: "This celebratory work gives readers a chance to cheer Zaharias' legendary life."

Connections

This book will help encourage young girls to follow through with their aspirations, even if they are discouraged to do it merely because of their gender.

*Gather other biographies by Russell Freedman:
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery. ISBN 0395845203
The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights
ISBN 0618159762
*Gather other books about female athletes:
Peiroth, Doris H. Their Day in the Sun: Women of the 1932 Olympics. ISBN 0295975547
Kahn, Liz. The LPGA: The Unauthorized Version-The History of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. ISBN 0749514302