MAJOR TAYLOR

Renowned cyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor endured arduous conditions while competing in the Six-Day Race.

Before Lebron James or Serena Williams, Taylor was one of the first Black Americans to win a championship in any sport and the first in cycling. Bouncy verse introduces readers to the young cyclist in Madison Square Garden in 1896. There, Taylor, a then-unknown 18-year-old, took part in a competition that involved six days of nearly continuous bike riding in front of thousands (“One hour of sleep / for every eight on the bike / kept you in the race, / but you fought to stay upright”). Taylor’s talent, discipline, and mentorship from a former cyclist champion set the foundation for his career in cycling. The race was demanding, a “test of physical endurance…and mental strength,” and for Taylor, as the only Black cyclist, dealing with racist attacks presented an additional layer of difficulty. As dramatic, almost cinematic scenes depict Taylor taking sharp corners, flashbacks chronicle previous races that led up to this one as well as the immense pressures he faced. Espinosa’s bold illustrations pair well with the book’s action-packed story and unfussy, lively text. Readers will be engaged and curious to learn more about a sports figure they’ve likely never heard of. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A charming, beautifully illustrated portrait of a world-class athlete who deserves to be even more widely known.