THERE GOES PATTI MCGEE!

“Zip! Swoosh! Zoom!”

In this lively tale of the first female professional skateboarder, clear, direct text and bright, appealing illustrations combine to show how champion Patti McGee first used a homemade skateboard and then went on to hone her skills and join an early skateboarding team made up of boys. The first skater to perform a rolling handstand in competition, she was also the first woman to win a national competition (with a perfect score), and the text focuses on her excitement, focus, and dedication. Meanwhile the illustrations show a spunky, Gidget-like White girl learning to perform specific skills, which are helpfully labeled. The primary narrative is a bit light on detail (the fact that she was entering a female division and received a smaller trophy than the boys did is covered in the endnotes rather than the body of the text) and leaves readers unmoored in time (the 1950s-’60s era is also not stated till the backmatter—and readers never learn how old she was when she began skateboarding or won her championship). Still, the story and pictures themselves bubble with excitement and enthusiasm, and the endnotes provide more information on her influence and explain how she graced the covers of magazines, inspired other girls, toured after her win, and later taught skateboarding. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 78.6% of actual size.)

This energetic portrait of the first highly recognized female skateboarder highlights her innovation and skill.