Reading Metrics
Description
Born in Baltimore, Michael Phelps began swimming at age eleven and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history. This biography follows his journey from local competitions to five Olympic Games, where he earned a record 23 gold medals along with 3 silver and 2 bronze. Readers will discover how dedication and training helped him overcome challenges to become the most decorated Olympian of all time.
Quick Summary
With 23 Olympic gold medals, Michael Phelps accomplished something no athlete in any sport has ever done, and this quick read shows young readers exactly how a kid from Maryland with a wild streak grew into the greatest swimmer of all time. The book follows his story chronologically, from his hyperactive childhood that his parents struggled to manage, through his early struggles with swimming, all the way to his dominance across five different Olympic Games. What makes this one memorable is how it doesn't shy away from the less glamorous parts of Phelps's journey the times he got into trouble, the setbacks he faced, and the incredible work ethic it actually took to become legendary. Kids who are into sports, Olympics trivia, or just inspiring underdog stories will gravitate toward this one, and it's short enough and written simply enough that even reluctant readers can blaze through it without getting bogged down. Parents will appreciate that it's completely wholesome while still being honest about the dedication required to reach the top, making it a solid choice for bedtime reading or a classroom assignment alike. If your kid devours this, they'd probably also like the Who Was? series, which follows the same biography format for other famous figures kids can't seem to get enough of.