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Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson

Publication Information

Author: Stauffacher, Sue

Illustrator: Couch, Greg

Title: Nothing But Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson

Date: 2007

Publisher: Knopf

City: New York

ISBN, paperback: 9780375834080

ISBN, hardback:

Recommended audience:

ABE/ABLE: Yes

ESOL:

Family: Yes

Young Adult: Yes

Picture: Yes

General Information:

Book Type(s): biography and autobiography, true story

HSE Descriptor(s): social studies

Summary:

Althea Gibson was perpetual motion and perpetual trouble until mentors helped her channel her energy into tennis where she became a champion, and the first African American to win the Wimbledon. The colorful illustrations capture her boundless energy.

Teaching Ideas:

Although the athletic part of tennis came easily, the more social aspects of competition were more difficult for Althea. Students may want to discuss this and compare some current sports figure with Gibson. How did Althea overcome the racial obstacles in tennis? Create a TIMELINE to chart the sequence of events in Althea's life and career. Additional elements can be added that illustrate what was happening in the US at the time. --- Take the role of Althea and keep a reflective journal about what she is experiencing, including personal reactions to so many seeing her as a wild one (gender issues), as an African American athlete in a predominantly white sport (race issues) and as a person being judged by "high society" (class issues). --- Write an exit on entry slip about someone who was supportive and helped you through conflicting situations or a tough time or a time when you found yourself so angry and what you did about it. --- rich descriptive langugae lends to sketching while hearing the story being read. ---- Research additional info re: Althea Gibson and the history of tennis.

Teaching Strategies: