# Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper - Hardcover

by **Ann Malaspina** (Author), **Eric Velasquez** (Illustrator)

**CCBC Choices 2013  
2014-2015 Children's Crown Award  
2013-2014 Macy's Multicultural Collection of Children's Literature  
2015 Louisiana Readers' Choice Master List  
A 2013 CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People  
2013 Amelia Bloomer list  
2013 IRA-CBC Children's Choices  
Best Children's Books of the Year 2013, Bank Street College**  
  
**Tells how Alice Coachman, born poor in Georgia, became the first African American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics.**  
  
Bare feet shouldn't fly. Long legs shouldn't spin. Braids shouldn't flap in the wind. 'Sit on the porch and be a lady, ' Papa scolded Alice. In Alice's Georgia hometown, there was no track where an African-American girl could practice, so she made her own crossbar with sticks and rags. With the support of her coach, friends, and community, Alice started to win medals. Her dream to compete at the Olympics came true in 1948. This is an inspiring free-verse story of the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Photos of Alice Coachman are also included.

### Front Jacket

Tells how Alice Coachman, born poor in Georgia, became the first African American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

### Author Biography

Even as a child, Ann Malaspina liked to write stories. Ann has written numerous books for young people including Finding Lincoln and Phillis Sings Out Freedom. Ann lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. www.annmalaspina.com Eric Velasquez, the son of Afro-Puerto Rican parents, was born in Spanish Harlem and grew up in Harlem in New York City. As a child, his love for doodling and drawing was strongly encouraged by his mother. From his grandmother he inherited a love of music and from his father he developed a love of movies. Growing up in this setting, Eric says, "Becoming an artist was a natural choice for me. I have never thought of being anything else." http: //www.ericvelasquez.com/

**Number of Pages:** 32

**Dimensions:** 0.5 x 11 x 8.5 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** January 01, 2012

**Award:** Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (2015)

**Award:** South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award (2015)

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper

**Interest Level:** Middle Grades, 4-8

**Reading Level:** 3.6

**Point Value:** 0.5

## Details

- **Price:** 16.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 16.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper - Hardcover

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