BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Rob had always been strong, and he especially liked lifting weights. In high school, a teacher told him about Strongman, a competition that was more than just weightlifting. So he got all the right clothing and equipment, and he began training. He met another weightlifter named Joey and they fell in Love. Joey encouraged Rob to wear colorful clothes while competing, rather than the dull grey clothes other lifters wore. They trained and trained, but at the North American Championship, the crowd was whispering about his choice of clothing, Rob knew he was strong enough to win, but could he be stronger than the unkind words he was hearing.
Rob Kearney is the first openly gay strongman in the world. His choice to be himself as he competed was brave and strong and helped bring LGBTQ+ representation into strength sports. I really liked Strong! I loved the illustrations, especially the one where everything Rob is wearing is labeled, and what a great surprise when his outfit for the competition included a rainbow mohawk! Includes a nice author's note, along with websites and books - and photos of Rob and his husband. I also liked the "All About Strongman" spread which gives the reader information about some of the events Rob participated in. Rob is white.
Lisa Librarian
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