Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds
The Sammy Lee Story
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Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner - Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)
The inspirational true story of Sammy Lee, a Korean American who overcame discrimination to realize both his father's desire that he become a doctor and his own dream of becoming an Olympic champion diver.
On a summer day in 1932, twelve-year-old Sammy Lee watched enviously as divers catapulted into the public swimming pool. Sammy desperately wanted to try diving himself, but the Korean American boy -- like any person of color -- was only allowed to use the pool one day a week.
This discrimination did not weaken Sammy's newfound passion for diving, and soon he began a struggle between his dream of becoming an Olympic champion and his father's wish for him to become a doctor. Over sixteen years Sammy faced numerous challenges, but he overcame them all and fulfilled both his dream and his father's. In 1948 Dr. Sammy Lee dove into Olympic history. A matter of seconds after his final platform dive, the scores appeared and Sammy Lee became the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal.
Sammy Lee's story of determination and triumph sets an extraordinary example for anyone striving to fulfill a dream. Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds will inspire all who read it.
About this Author
Paula Yoo is an author and screenwriter whose children's books for Lee & Low include Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds, Shining Star, and several titles in the Confetti Kids series. Her titles have been recognized by the International Reading Association, the Texas Bluebonnet Award Masterlist, and Lee & Low's New Voices Award. She and her husband live in Los Angeles, California, where she works in television. You can visit her online at paulayoo.com.
Dom Lee made his picture-book debut with Baseball Saved Us. He grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and went on to illustrate books in both the United States and Korea. His titles for Lee & Low include Ken Mochizuki's Passage to Freedom and Heroes, as well as the award-winning Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds. Lee's unique illustration style involves applying encaustic beeswax on paper, then scratching out images, and finally coloring the images with oil paint. Lee and his wife live in Hollis, New York.
Reviews
* "In her first picture book, winner of the publisher's New Voices Award, Yoo introduces Sammy Lee, the son of Korean immigrants who overcame formidable odds to become an Olympic diving champion, as well as a doctor. . . the uncluttered images leave a deep impact. . . A page of facts closes this handsome, inspiring biography, which will make both an excellent read-aloud for younger children or a read-alone for confident older ones." -- Booklist, starred review
* "This hero's inspirational story demonstrates determination and dedication by a man who never gave up and is still an active athlete today." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Yoo smoothly incorporates the historical context through Sammy's reactions to pervasive racism. She creates a picture of a person who succeeded through determined hard work -- not a larger-than-life hero, but an ordinary person of great achievement." -- The Horn Book
"Yoo debuts with an inspiring tribute to the first Asian-American to win an Olympic gold medal. . . [A] motivational tale." -- Publishers Weekly
"This inspirational biography recognizes the life of the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal, at the 1948 Games in London. . . Lee's painterly illustrations give texture and depth to the full-page spreads. More than a story about discrimination and unfair treatment, this story shows one young man's determination and resolve toward accomplishing a goal in life." -- School Library Journal
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner - Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)
Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education
CCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Comstock Read Aloud Book Award Honor - Minnesota State University Moorhead
Notable Books for a Global Society - International Literacy Association (ILA)
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People - National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Texas Bluebonnet Award - Texas Library Association (TLA)
William Allen White Children's Book Award - Emporia State University
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