In lane three, Alex Archer

Look at Alex go. It's 1959. She acts in plays at school. She plays hockey. She is a dancer. She plays piano. She's a great student. And she's a record-breaking, sharply competitive swimmer.

Then Maggie arrives on the scene. She's been a swimmer since she was a baby, and she, too, is amazingly good.

It's Maggie vs. Alex. Who will make it to the Olympics in Rome?

This book highlights the struggles of women to strive for achievement in the mid-twentieth century. I was also quite taken with the drive to do win that was behind Alex's .2 second victories. Amazing.

A 1001 Children's Book You Must Read.