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Marvelous Mabel: Figure Skating Superstar
Meet Mabel Fairbanks, the skating superstar who became the first Black athlete inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
After watching ice skaters glide and spin at a rink in Central Park, Mabel Fairbanks was determined to learn to skate. But in the 1930s, many places didn't allow Black skaters on the ice, so Mabel practiced on a homemade rink in her bedroom! There she learned how to perform sharp turns and whizzing spins of her own creation.
It wasn't long before Mabel needed more room to practice skating, and she returned to one of the rinks that denied her entrance. This time she refused to take no for an answer. She knew that if they just let her on the ice, she would be the most marvelous skater anyone had ever seen. And she was right, as her trailblazing talent continues to influence the sport today.
Written and illustrated with warmth and spirit, this is the true story of how Mabel Fairbanks's determination and grit led her to become America's first Black skating superstar.
After watching ice skaters glide and spin at a rink in Central Park, Mabel Fairbanks was determined to learn to skate. But in the 1930s, many places didn't allow Black skaters on the ice, so Mabel practiced on a homemade rink in her bedroom! There she learned how to perform sharp turns and whizzing spins of her own creation.
It wasn't long before Mabel needed more room to practice skating, and she returned to one of the rinks that denied her entrance. This time she refused to take no for an answer. She knew that if they just let her on the ice, she would be the most marvelous skater anyone had ever seen. And she was right, as her trailblazing talent continues to influence the sport today.
Written and illustrated with warmth and spirit, this is the true story of how Mabel Fairbanks's determination and grit led her to become America's first Black skating superstar.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 18, 2022
I have the best kid. Her reaction to the racism experienced by Mabel was immediate incomprehension and outrage. ❤️
June 22, 2024
I love picture book biographies and the way they illuminate how absolutely anyone can change the world, whether it is the invention of chewing gum or the electric guitar. Correction - I like good picture book biographies. This one? Not so much. From the wordiness of the story to the font in the book, this book feels self-published - and not in a good way. Bummer.
December 6, 2022
This picture book biography shares an inspiring story about a Black figure skater from the 1930s who persevered in spite of the racist barriers that made it difficult for her to learn to skate and barred her from many of the events and associations where she could have become a well-known star. The afterword includes additional details about her skating career and her later work as a coach and advocate for other skaters from all backgrounds.
September 2, 2022
Afterword and selected bibliography. Very good. I learned a lot. Artwork was okay. Possibly a good nominee for rise although the kind of story that raises questions of where feminist content and fighting discriminatory practices and racism intersect.
December 30, 2022
An inspiring story of fortitude when faced with racism.
Mabel Fairbanks' serendipity and self-confidence as a child helped her overcome adversity to become America's first Black figure skating star. Orphaned at age eight, she bounced around from place to place growing up. While in NYC's Central Park, she became determined to learn how to ice skate. Through her strong will, she was able to learn how to skate and to get the training she needed so she could coach other young people how to ice skate competitively.
Hubbard has done a magnificent job of weaving together a narrative about Fairbanks' youth, as there is scant information about her during that time in her life. The racism this girl met at every turn is simply appalling. Her story needed to be told. The Afterword in the book makes many intriguing points regarding her adult life. Personally, I was happy to see that Fairbanks was involved with the development of Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi, Debi Thomas, and Rudy Galindo - four figure skaters that I followed and cheered for during their competitive years and beyond.
Digital artwork created by Alleanna Harris is colorful and lively. She captures the lines and body forms of skaters well. There is a strong sense of place in each that helps fill in gaps uncovered by the text.
Include this gem in units on winter sports, Black history, self-confidence, and racism.
Highly Recommended for grades 2-5.
Mabel Fairbanks' serendipity and self-confidence as a child helped her overcome adversity to become America's first Black figure skating star. Orphaned at age eight, she bounced around from place to place growing up. While in NYC's Central Park, she became determined to learn how to ice skate. Through her strong will, she was able to learn how to skate and to get the training she needed so she could coach other young people how to ice skate competitively.
Hubbard has done a magnificent job of weaving together a narrative about Fairbanks' youth, as there is scant information about her during that time in her life. The racism this girl met at every turn is simply appalling. Her story needed to be told. The Afterword in the book makes many intriguing points regarding her adult life. Personally, I was happy to see that Fairbanks was involved with the development of Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi, Debi Thomas, and Rudy Galindo - four figure skaters that I followed and cheered for during their competitive years and beyond.
Digital artwork created by Alleanna Harris is colorful and lively. She captures the lines and body forms of skaters well. There is a strong sense of place in each that helps fill in gaps uncovered by the text.
Include this gem in units on winter sports, Black history, self-confidence, and racism.
Highly Recommended for grades 2-5.
December 10, 2023
Hubbard tells the story (illustrated by Alleanna Harris) about Mabel Fairbanks, who had to work around constraints in the 1930s to practice ice skating. An owner of a rink told her that no Blacks were allowed in his rink. (Fairbanks was part Native American as well.) She could skate in the winter (she's from the Bronx) when it was cold enough to freeze ponds and other outdoor venues. But during the summer, she couldn't skate. Her uncle did create a small rink in the house using principles of refrigeration, and that was enough space to practice spins but not moves that needed more space.
She tried again to get into the rink, and this time the owner let her in. Once he saw her skate, he told her that she could come every day if she chose.
She was not allowed to compete for a spot on the Olympics team, and American touring skating shows would not hire her because of her race. She did skate for the Ice Capades in Mexico and other international skating companies.
The back matter has a biography that gives detail of how she taught and coached students and offered them a lot of support, including skaters of color: Black, Latino, Indigenous, and Asian American skaters trying to break in to a sport that was previously dominated by white skaters. She was inducted in the skating hall of fame for her work as a coach.
She tried again to get into the rink, and this time the owner let her in. Once he saw her skate, he told her that she could come every day if she chose.
She was not allowed to compete for a spot on the Olympics team, and American touring skating shows would not hire her because of her race. She did skate for the Ice Capades in Mexico and other international skating companies.
The back matter has a biography that gives detail of how she taught and coached students and offered them a lot of support, including skaters of color: Black, Latino, Indigenous, and Asian American skaters trying to break in to a sport that was previously dominated by white skaters. She was inducted in the skating hall of fame for her work as a coach.
September 25, 2023
Marvelous Mabel was a figure skater. While little is known of the first part of her life, we do know it was hard. She had a desire to learn to ice skate, but many doors were closed to her because she was not born white. But this little girl never gave up! She became one of the first black women ever inducted into multiple skating Hall of Fame’s because her love of the sport knew no bounds. When the doors closed on her competing, she became a coach. She coached anyone because everyone should have opportunities.
November 23, 2023
If you enjoy or participate in figure skating, you'll want to read this book about Mabel Fairbanks, who was part of the ice skating world for most of the 20th century. Even though she was black and unable to perform in the Olympics or be a performer in the Ice Capades, she started her own business, taught many to skate (of all income brackets and skin colors), and trained future Olympians Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Debi Thomas.
January 1, 2023
A story of perseverance as much as about figure skating as Mabel overcomes being orphaned, being homeless, being discriminated against and having to fight every step of the way, on her own to pursue her passion - in ways she did not dream of - making the best of it every step of the way. Accessible and candid.
February 10, 2023
It is refreshing to find stories about real people who persevered through racism in America. The "first," the inspiration, the motivation, and the pride of these individuals to our society as a whole makes us all prosperous. This is my initial reaction to the story of Mabel Fairbanks. I'm so glad hardship was not the end of her story. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabel_F...
December 25, 2022
Good story and pictures
February 8, 2023
Well written with beautiful illustrations! My kids really enjoyed this one! We loved Mabel's resilient spirit and her ability to overcome some very challenging circumstances.
February 27, 2023
What a fantastic book, sharing a heartbreaking story of a strong, brave, determined child. The racism Mabel Fairbanks faced was appalling. But her heart and amazingness came through in real life and on the rink and on these wonderfully illustrated pages. The back matter is detailed! What an inspiring person Mabel was, influencing/impacting/creating Olympic champions/many a famous figure skater. Her legacy is incredible! Highly recommend. This book needs to be in every library.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews