Zion Unmatched

“Consider me Jim Thorpe without legs, with the passion of Malcolm X and the backbeat of Louis Armstrong,” reads a bold early spot quote in this largely visual, mostly autobiographical profile of Zion Clark (b. 1997), a Black wrestler and seated racer—and “musical prodigy”—born without legs who “is currently training for the Tokyo Paralympic games.” After Clark and Hirsch reveal Clark’s challenges, including abuse and neglect in Ohio’s foster care system from infancy until he was adopted at 17 and “the dual stigma of Blackness and disability,” quotes from loved ones, coaches, and Clark himself are highlighted in graphic capitalized letters, skillfully layered over energetic full-color photographs of Clark both in action and at rest. Though Clark’s journey lacks enough detail here to transcend its magazine feature style, young readers will appreciate his incontestable tenacity and drive. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)

This review has been updated to reflect a change to the book's final text.