Gymnastics Biography

The Silver Lining: The Intersection of Sexual Assault and Anxiety Through the World of Gymnastics explores the intricacies of the silver medal, the silver between the black and white of life, and best of all, the silver lining. In this book, author Serena Pergola shares stories of trauma and challenges and explains how she leveraged a daunting mental health journey, a solid foundation in her support systems, and unexpected optimism to become stronger than ever before.

Sara Marijuan narrates the story of how she made her dreams become true in such a minority sport as rhythmic gymnastics is, since she started it as a hobby when she was just seven years old until she retired after college. Through her passion for this sport, she wants to show how dreams have no limits. It is a story of perseverance and sacrifice, a lesson for life.

In 2021, Simone Biles shocked the world when she pulled out of the Tokyo Olympic Games after experiencing the "twisties" -- a scary feeling during which gymnasts lose control of their bodies while mid-air. Audiences had expected Simone to dominate these games. With seven Olympic medals, twenty-five World Championships medals, and four gymnastic skills named after her, she is considered to be the G.O.A.T. of women’s gymnastics.

Although she's just four feet, 11 inches tall, Gabby Douglas made a larger-than-life impact on the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Gabby dominated the gymnastics all-around competition with her flawless execution and amazingly high flips, winning gold by a landslide. In early 2012, this pint-sized powerhouse was ready to quit gymnastics for good, but she kept going. Competing at the Olympics at just 16 years old, she became the best female gymnast in the world. Hear about this incredible athlete's journey from Virginia Beach to London gold.

Gymnast Simone Biles won four Olympic gold medals in 2016, and she plans to compete at the Olympics again in 2021. Engaging text and critical-thinking questions will make this book a hit with young gymnastics fans.

Black women are a force in the gymnastics world. But it wasn't until 1992 that Betty Okino and Dominique Dawes became the first Black women to compete in the Olympics for Team USA. Learn about the Black gymnasts and coaches of the past and present who have made historic firsts, including Simone Biles, Sloane Blakely, and Corrinne Tarver. Then discover how Black women in gymnastics are making a difference on and off the mat.