Perfect Match: The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton

Gr 1-3–A nonfiction picture book about Althea Gibson, the Black American tennis player, and Angela Buxton, a Jewish British tennis player, whose friendship led to them playing doubles at Wimbledon in 1956. The story is short, simple, and easy to follow, making it suitable for younger audiences. Readers can find more information and historical photos in the author’s note, which details some of Gibson’s achievements. While the book focuses on the players’ friendship and how cooperation helped them succeed, it also addresses the racism and prejudice they faced in their careers. The illustrations are bright and fun, with the action shots dynamic and interesting, although the illustrations for quieter, narrative portions are more generic. The story has good pacing, speeding up as the book goes on with fewer words on each page, which makes it perfect for reading aloud.