CHAMPIONS

A penetrating study of five men and five women who provide ``images of excellence,'' both in and out of the spotlight. Many helped to break down barriers of prejudice: against race for Satchel Paige and Roberto Clemente; against women for Billie Jean King and jockey Julie Krone; against the disabled for skier Diana Golden. With sheer ability and force of personality, PelÇ and Muhammad Ali changed their sports in profound ways, but Littlefield praises Ali most warmly for his personal courage, in and out of the ring. With sharp analyses and unconventional insights (he quotes Joan Benoit Samuelson: ``Winning is neither everything nor the only thing. It is one of many things''), the author looks beyond simplistic public images to the real qualities behind success: ``finding a passion and working hard and believing in ourselves.'' Fuchs, known for his illustrations for Schroeder's Ragtime Tumpie (1989), supplies exuberant portraits in the same light-dappled, impressionistic style. A winner: eloquent, enlightening, and handsome. Reading list; index. (Biography. 11-14)