Book excerpt: 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: 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 Allyson Felix and Alice Coachman