Description
The publisher says, “For readers of Unbroken, out of the depths of the Great Depression comes the astonishing tale of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true grit really meant. With rowers who were the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew was never expected to defeat the elite East Coast teams, yet they did, going on to shock the world by challenging the German boat rowing for Adolf Hitler.
At the center of the tale is Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, whose personal quest captures the spirit of his generation—the generation that would prove in the coming years that the Nazis could not prevail over American determination and optimism.
This deeply emotional yet easily accessible young readers adaptation of the award-winning #1 New York Times bestseller features never-before-seen photographs, highly visual back matter, and an exclusive new introduction.
Accolades forThe Boys in the Boat(Young Readers Adaptation):
–New York Times bestseller
– #1 Pacific Northwest Bookseller Assocation bestseller
“The word teamwork, which can sound humdrum to kids in coaches’ droning lectures, doesn’t adequately describe the connection shared by the men in that boat in 1936. Illustrated with vintage photos, this moving book offers young people a vivid sense of that shared experience. A Depression-era story with timeless appeal.” —Booklist ,starred review
“Offering a model of masterful nonfiction writing, Brown expertly balances the leisurely pacing of the protagonists’ back stories with the exciting race scenes, related with concrete nouns, lively verbs, and short sentences, selected and adapted for this edition by Mone. Many photographs, an easy-to-read timeline, and notes on “The Art of Rowing,” complete with a diagram, add visual appeal. A fine companion to Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken(2014), also about the 1936 Olympics and also adapted for young readers.” —Kirkus
“Those seeking an inspiring true story or a great sports tale will be pleased with this stirring work.” —School Library Journal
“It becomes almost impossible not to root for such a hardscrabble collection of underdogs as they exhibit hard work, sacrifice, teamwork, and loyalty at every stage of their collective journey to Berlin.” —Horn Book
“With a lyrical flair, Brown tells the story of these men in a manner that intersperses the drama of the time period with the emotional and physical turmoil of their lives. Young adult readers may not understand or even know about the desperation of the Depression, or what it was like at the genesis of Nazi Germany, but the tale of these persistent men, each with their own personal struggle, will entice readers of all ages.” —VOYA
