{"product_id":"touch-the-sky-alice-coachman-olympic-high-jumper-9780807580356","title":"Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCCBC Choices 2013 \u003cbr\u003e2014-2015 Children's Crown Award \u003cbr\u003e2013-2014 Macy's Multicultural Collection of Children's Literature \u003cbr\u003e2015 Louisiana Readers' Choice Master List \u003cbr\u003eA 2013 CBC\/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People \u003cbr\u003e2013 Amelia Bloomer list \u003cbr\u003e2013 IRA-CBC Children's Choices \u003cbr\u003eBest Children's Books of the Year 2013, Bank Street College\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eTells how Alice Coachman, born poor in Georgia, became the first African American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBare feet shouldn't fly. Long legs shouldn't spin. Braids shouldn't flap in the wind. 'Sit on the porch and be a lady, ' Papa scolded Alice. In Alice's Georgia hometown, there was no track where an African-American girl could practice, so she made her own crossbar with sticks and rags. With the support of her coach, friends, and community, Alice started to win medals. Her dream to compete at the Olympics came true in 1948. This is an inspiring free-verse story of the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Photos of Alice Coachman are also included.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven as a child, Ann Malaspina liked to write stories. Ann has written numerous books for young people including Finding Lincoln and Phillis Sings Out Freedom. Ann lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. www.annmalaspina.com Eric Velasquez, the son of Afro-Puerto Rican parents, was born in Spanish Harlem and grew up in Harlem in New York City. As a child, his love for doodling and drawing was strongly encouraged by his mother. From his grandmother he inherited a love of music and from his father he developed a love of movies. Growing up in this setting, Eric says, \"Becoming an artist was a natural choice for me. I have never thought of being anything else.\" http: \/\/www.ericvelasquez.com\/\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Albert Whitman \u0026 Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50642321080594,"sku":"9780807580356","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_096b8506-8916-4281-baee-dd57e7a3d453.jpg?v=1733064215","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/touch-the-sky-alice-coachman-olympic-high-jumper-9780807580356","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}