Traveling Shoes

2024 Kansas NEA Reading Circle List

“Sometimes rather dreamlike, the illustrations are vividly colorful and well composed. Both art and text juxtapose significant experiences during White’s athletic career with events taking place in the civil rights movement. An involving picture-book biography of a Black American athlete.” —Booklist

“A glowing portrait of an African American track and field star who competed in five Olympics and was the first American female long jumper to medal…With the vowed intent of inspiring readers to ‘dream big, prepare to win, and keep their luggage packed,’ Duncan frames her well-traveled subject’s long career as a free verse highlight reel—beginning at the “starting block” in Mississippi, where she was raised by her grandparents, since her birth parents were unwilling or unable to do so, and ending with reflections on her achievements…Shines a light on a worthy role model in need of fresh recognition.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Piecing together White’s early life through her 20-year track and field career, Duncan emphasizes a strong sense of self-confidence and determination (‘Winning is not effortless./ Practice is required’). Mallett’s realistic digital illustrations appear almost photographic in depicting White experiencing triumphs and setbacks throughout this inspirational story.”—Publishers Weekly

“The charismatic subject of this picture book biography is given well-deserved star treatment here, lauding her accomplishment as the first American track athlete to compete in five Olympics while also contextualizing White’s decades-long athletic career within the civil rights movement….Young readers will be inspired by White’s tenacity, encapsulated by a mantra she shared in her later life as a coach and motivational speaker: ‘If it is to be, it is up to me, because I believe in me.'” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books