BILLIE JEAN!

Billie Jean King’s positive energy and dedication to her endless battle for the simple idea of equality are captured in this profile of the tennis legend.

Rockliff opens by showing those childhood moments when King refused to accept “no” as an answer. The unjust policies King encountered throughout her tennis career are shown alongside her hard work and dedication to her sport. The storyline depicts success and struggle in a constant battle, exemplified by her first Wimbledon victory and the sexist press conference that followed it. Through it all, King’s actions remained positive and personal, as she used her charisma to move the equality needle forward. The repeated imprecation “Peanut butter!” allows a charming glimpse of the iceberg of frustration she must have felt while still playing harder than anyone else. Baddeley’s illustrations capture the tennis action well, but the story is the real attraction. The pacing expertly shows King capturing the hearts and minds of tennis fans by winning the major titles in 1972 only to have to prove herself again in the Battle of the Sexes against Bobby Riggs. The account ends with her victory in that seminal match; the author’s note reveals plenty more to this legend’s story, including her lesbian identity.

A must-read for young equal rights warriors. Your advantage.