Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics

by Jean L S Patrick (Author) Adam Gustavson (Illustrator)

Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Lucile "Ludy" Godbold was six feet tall and skinnier than a Carolina pine and an exceptional athlete. In her final year on the track team at Winthrop College in South Carolina, Ludy tried the shot put and she made that iron ball sail with her long, skinny arms. But when Ludy qualified for the first Women's Olympics in 1922, Ludy had no money to go. Thanks to the help of her college and classmates, Ludy traveled to Paris and won the gold medal with more than a foot to spare. Hooray for Ludy!

Based on a true story about a little-known athlete and a unique event in women's sports history.

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School Library Journal

Gr 2-4—"No one really knows how Ludy's arms got so long," begins the story of the tall and long-limbed Lucille "Ludy" Godbold, whose physical build led to a successful stint as a shot-putter. At Winthrop College in South Carolina, Godbold's track coach suggested she try the shot put. Godbold enjoyed and excelled at the sport and made the U.S. Women's Olympic team in 1922. However, when she lacked the funds to travel to France, college staff and students donated money so she could go. Godbold traveled to Paris and took home the gold. Folksy, descriptive text, which includes regional colloquialisms, will entertain readers. The acrylic illustrations are energetic, and the palette and style of dress of the depicted individuals are appropriate for the time period. Godbold's arms are often shown extended in activity, making them appear even longer. Most drawings fill a single page, with text and smaller inset pictures on the facing page. Full spreads are devoted to big events, such as Godbold winning the gold. Though stylized, Gustavson's artwork deftly captures Godbold's likeness. More information about the athlete and the Women's Olympics, an author's note, and a couple of black-and-white pictures are appended. VERDICT A charming, down-home introduction to a female athlete, and a great addition to any public or school library. —Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 Patrick's folksy account is crisp and packed with facts. Gustavson's evocative illustrations combine oil paintings with gouache on watercolor paper, painting Ludy as a gangly beanpole with an enormously expressive face. Backmatter includes more on Ludy's life and the Women's Olympics as well as period photos.
—Kirkus Reviews

VERDICT A charming, down-home introduction to a female athlete, and a great addition to any public or school library.
—School Library Journal
Jean L S Patrick
Jean L. S. Patrick is the author of several books for children, including The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth (Carolrhoda Books). Jean has also written a weekly children's book column for the Daily Republic in Mitchell, South Dakota, since 1989.

Adam Gustavson has illustrated several picture books, including the award-winning Good Luck, Mrs. K! (Margaret K. McElderry) and Dirty Rats. Adam lives in West Orange, New Jersey.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781623541682
Lexile Measure
650
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication date
July 30, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF023000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Girls & Women
JNF007100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Sports & Recreation
JNF054110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Sports & Recreation | Olympics
Library of Congress categories
Biographies
United States
Track and field athletes
Olympics
Godbold, Lucile
Women track and field athletes

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