Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist

Discover the inspiring true story of extraordinary professional cyclist Major Taylor in this nonfiction picture book from Coretta Scott King Award winners Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome.

In 1891, Marshall Taylor could ride his bike forward, backward, even perched on the handlebars. When his stunts landed him a job at the famous Indiana bike shop Hay and Willits, folks were amazed that a thirteen-year-old black boy could be such a crackerjack cyclist.

Little Marshall Taylor would use his dedication, undeniable talent, and daring speed to transform himself into Major Taylor, turning pro at the age of eighteen, winning the world championship title just three years later, and battling racism and the odds to become a true American hero.

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 01/01/2004
Pages: 40
Weight: 1.09lbs
Size: 11.76h x 9.86w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9780689831591
Age: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.7
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 75977 / Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist


Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/22/2003 pg. 60
Kirkus Review - Children 12/15/2003 pg. 1448
Ebony 02/01/2004 pg. 24
School Library Journal 02/01/2004 pg. 128
Booklist 02/15/2004 pg. 1077
Black Issues Book Review 03/01/2004 pg. 68
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2004 pg. 265
Booklist 09/01/2004 pg. 115
School Library Journal 10/01/2004 pg. 26
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2004 pg. 451 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2004 pg. 451 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Library Journal 02/15/2004
Black Issues Book Review 07/01/2005 pg. 65

About the Author
Lesa Cline-Ransome is the author of many award-winning and critically acclaimed nonfiction books for young readers, including Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams; My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey; and Before She Was Harriet. She is also the author of the novel Finding Langston, which received a Coretta Scott King Honor Award and five starred reviews. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York. Learn more at LesaClineRansome.com.

James E. Ransome's highly acclaimed illustrations for Before She Was Harriet received the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. His other award-winning titles include the Coretta Scott King winner The Creation; Coretta Scott King Honor Book Uncle Jed's Barbershop; Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt; and Let My People Go, winner of the NAACP Image Award. James is also a recipient of the ALA Children's Literature Legacy Award. He frequently collaborates with his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome. One of their recent titles is Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams, which received four starred reviews and was an ALA Notable Children's Book. James is a professor and coordinator of the MFA Illustration Graduate Program at Syracuse University. He lives in New York's Hudson River Valley region with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.