Serena Williams: A Champion's Story – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Serena Williams: A Champion's Story

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2018

84%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

The Williams sisters' rise from pre-dawn practice sessions to tennis royalty, told with vibrant art and zero sugar-coating about the racism they faced.

Serena Williams: A Champion's Story

book

2018

84%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

The Williams sisters' rise from pre-dawn practice sessions to tennis royalty, told with vibrant art and zero sugar-coating about the racism they faced.

4.8

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4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the kind of biography that does the work—it celebrates two legendary athletes without sanitizing the obstacles they faced. The Ransomes give you the pre-dawn training, the sisterhood, the Grand Slams, and the ugly truth about racism in tennis, all wrapped in art that practically leaps off the page.

It's not a light bedtime read. You're signing up for conversations about why skin color mattered to some fans and how Venus and Serena didn't let that stop them. But that's exactly what makes it valuable. Kids get to see real resilience, not the fairy-tale kind.

The 4.8 Amazon rating and ALA Notable designation back up what the art and text deliver: this is a well-crafted, empowering book that gives kids—especially Black girls—heroes who look like them and conquered a sport that didn't always welcome them. Solid pick for families who want biographies with substance.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6–10, when kids can grasp both the sports achievement and the social context. Younger kids will enjoy the vibrant illustrations and basic story, but the discrimination themes land better with early elementary readers who are starting to understand fairness and injustice.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The Ransomes deliver a warm, family-centered biography that celebrates sisterhood, hard work, and parental support. The book acknowledges racism and discrimination in tennis without dwelling on graphic details, treating these challenges as obstacles to overcome rather than trauma. The focus on Venus and Serena's bond as 'two peas in a pod' and their shared journey creates an emotionally healthy narrative about perseverance and mutual support.

Imaginative

James Ransome's 'vibrant mixed media art' and 'eye-catching patterns' bring visual creativity to a biographical format. The book captures 'energy, speed, and tension' in the figures, making sports action come alive on the page. However, as a straightforward biography, it doesn't invite much open-ended exploration or creative play—it tells an inspiring story but doesn't push imaginative boundaries beyond strong illustration work.

Safe

Picture-book biographies are inherently safe, and this one handles its tougher subjects (racial discrimination, competitive pressure) in age-appropriate ways. The ALA Notable designation and Coretta Scott King Honor for the illustrator signal editorial quality. No violence, scary imagery, or inappropriate content. Parents will need to be ready to discuss why some tennis fans 'booed and taunted' two Black girls, but the book frames this as context for their triumph, not as graphic or traumatizing material.

Enriching

This is a solid introduction to two of the greatest athletes of all time, offering lessons in dedication (waking before sunrise six days a week), resilience (facing discrimination and continuing anyway), and sibling bonds. It provides both sports history and a window into systemic racism in athletics. The story models goal-setting, practice, and the importance of family support. Strong 4.8 Amazon rating suggests it resonates with families looking for empowering, diverse role models.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates sisterhood and family support without being saccharine—these girls worked brutally hard and had each other's backs
The Ransomes don't shy away from the fact that tennis fans booed and taunted two Black girls in a white sport, making this a real story about overcoming prejudice
James Ransome's mixed-media illustrations are energetic and gorgeous—every page pops with color and movement
Models dedication and goal-setting in concrete ways (six days a week, before sunrise) that kids can understand
ALA Notable Book and Coretta Scott King Honor winner—the awards are earned

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What to Watch For

You'll need to talk about why some fans booed Venus and Serena—the book mentions racial discrimination directly, which is age-appropriate but requires a conversation
The focus on relentless practice and competition might feel intense for kids who prefer gentler stories
This is a picture book but aimed at older elementary readers who can handle more complex themes

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think some tennis fans didn't want Venus and Serena to play? How would you feel if people booed you for something you couldn't control?"
"Venus and Serena practiced six days a week before the sun came up. What's something you'd be willing to work that hard for?"
"The book says they were 'fierce competitors on the courts, but close sisters above all.' How do you think they balanced competing against each other with being best friends?"
"What do you think made Venus and Serena keep going when people were mean to them?"

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