Books of Wonder

Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl

Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl - Main image
$11.51 $17.99 In stock

Category: Products

Althea Gibson was the quickest, tallest, most fearless athlete in 1940s Harlem. She couldn’t sit still! When she put her mind to it, the fleet-of-foot girl reigned supreme at every sport—stickball with the boys, basketball with the girls, paddleball with anyone who would hit with her.

But being the quickest, tallest, most fearless player in Harlem wasn’t enough for Althea. She knew she could be a tennis champion.

Because of segregation, black people weren’t allowed to compete against white people in sports. Althea didn’t care. She just wanted to play tennis against the best athletes in the world. And with skill and determination, she did just that, eventually becoming the first black person—man or woman—to win a trophy at Wimbledon.

Before you pay

Check the method and total at checkout.

When it ships

Allow for processing time as well as the journey to you.

Standard Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

Express Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

View policy
If you need a refund

Keep your order number and contact the store to start.

Please contact us for the refund processing timeframe before returning an item.

View policy
Delivery costs

Review the cost for your destination and chosen service.

Standard Shipping · United States: $0.00

Express Shipping · United States: $3.99

View policy
Returning an item

Check the return conditions before sending anything back.

United States · Return window (days after delivery): 30. Return method: By mail. Return postage: Seller pays.

View policy

Customer Reviews (4.6 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Adam K. ★★★★★

The pacing captures her restless energy perfectly—my son kept interrupting to tell me facts about stickball and her fearlessness. It's the kind of biography that makes history feel alive, not like a school assignment.

Benjamin ★★★★★

My daughter read this in one sitting and immediately wanted to play stickball in the park. The way it captures Althea’s height and fearless attitude on every page made history feel alive for her.

Matthew ★★★★★

The writing brings Althea’s restless energy to life so vividly, I could almost hear the stickball bouncing off the pavement. My son and I read it together and he kept asking “what happens next?” — a rare win for a biography.