The Story of Simone Biles: A Biography Book for New Readers



Last updated Sunday, February 6, 2022

Author: Rachelle Burk
Date of Publication: 2021
ISBN: 1638788413
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2022

Synopsis: Simone Biles has been called the greatest gymnast of all time, winning five Olympic and 25 World Champion medals by age 22. Before she wowed the world with her incredible gymnastics skills, Simone was an energetic young girl who dreamed of becoming a top gymnast. She trained for hours every day and made many sacrifices to pursue her goals. Explore how Simone Biles went from being a kid growing up in Texas to an Olympic athlete who has won more gymnastics medals than anyone in history.

Note to readers:
•  This is a book about the African-American gymnast, Simone Biles. It covers her early childhood, through her years of training and through the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was published last year before the pandemic delayed Tokyo, Japan games. Simone, as a full grown adult in only 4 feet 8 inches tall. As a reader, you might want to compare your height to Simone’s. For example, I’m 5 feet 3 inches tall. This makes me about a head taller than her. Do you think her small size helps you in being a great gymnast?

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do any of you participate in a team sport like soccer, basketball or baseball? What about in individual sport such as swimming, gymnastics or tennis? If you’re not a “sports” person, do have other talents such as drawing, playing an instrument, or perhaps baking or cooking? What kind of time do you have to dedicate to your activity? How do you balance you other responsibilities such as school, homework, chores with these activities?

Vocabulary:

•  flexibility: the ability to bend or move easily.
•  balance: the ability to move or remain in a position without losing control or falling.
•  agility: the ability to move quickly and easily.
•  gymnast: a person who is trained or skilled in gymnastics.
•  gymnastics: a sport in which athletes perform physical exercises on mat or on special equipment.
•  athlete: a person who is trained in or good at sports, games or exercises that require physical skill or strength.
•  elite: at the top level of a skill or sport.
•  pandemic: an outbreak of a disease that spreads quickly and affects many people throughout the world.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Do you think you could have the concentration and dedication to become an elite at any activity such as a sport, or musical instrument? If so, what would it be?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a Valentine’s Day card of someone.
•  Do the word search at https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/3225278/the-story-of-simone-biles/
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/february-2022-people-places-around-the-world/
•  Check this website for more suggestions: http://readingtokids.org/ReadingClubs/CraftTips.php

Special activities:
•  Share with the kids this Simone Biles floor routine video from the 2016 Olympics in Rio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC3zLvDs2AA
•  Try this little test to check your balance and flexibility:
•  Balance: Stand straight up, feet flat on the floor (you can do this with or without shoes on), arms straight at your sides. Raise one leg off the floor so that you are only standing on one leg. Count to see who long to can stand without losing your balance. Repeat this using your other leg this time.
•  OK! Try again, only this time, instead of standing with your arms at your side, try holding the straight out from your side like you were pretending to fly. Do both legs.
•  How did you do each time? Was it easier on one leg as opposed to the other? How about when you kept your arms at your side as opposed to straight out?
•  Flexibility: Stand straight up with feet flat on the floor. Bend over at your waist and try to touch your toes. Try also to wrap you fingers around the toes of your feet. Were able to reach them?
•  Try another way. Sit on the floor with your legs extended straight out in front of you. Reach out with your hands and see if you can touch your toes. Try to wrap you fingers around your toes? Was this easier or harder than the first time.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!