Follett Content Book Detail: Wings of an Eagle : the Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Mills, Billy

Wings of an Eagle : the Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills

Author: Mills, Billy

Follett Number: 2903PD6
Audience: Lower Elementary
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2024
Format: 1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 27 cm
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-37348-7
ISBN-10: 0-316-37348-6
LCCN: 2022-039638
Dewey: 796.42
Classifications: Autobiography; Nonfiction

Subjects:
Autobiographies
Creative Nonfiction
Long-Distance Runners
Mills, Billy, 1938-
Oglala Indians Biography
Olympic Athletes
Picture Books
Includes bibliographical references. "The autobiographical story of Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota orphan who achieved his dream of winning a gold medal as a runner in the 1964 Olympics despite racism, poverty, and debilitating health challenges"--Provided by publisher.

From the publisher:
A ROBERT F. SIBERT INFORMATIONAL BOOK AWARD HONOR BOOK Just in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics, here is a dramatic and inspiring autobiographical tale of overcoming odds by Native American gold medalist Billy Mills, with stunning illustrations by acclaimed Lakota artist SD Nelson. Billy Mills was once an orphan on the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation. But before his father was called to the ancestors, he told Billy how to conquer his suffering: You have broken wings, son. You have to dig deeper, below the anger, the hurt, the self-pity. The pursuit of a dream will heal you. Despite poverty, racism, and severe health challenges, Billy raced toward his goal of becoming an Olympic athlete, inspired by his indigenous ancestors who stood strong when the odds were against them. Though at times he felt like his wings were clipped--a lone bird falling from the sky--he adapted and overcame, finally earning his place at the 1964 Olympics. This autobiographical tale of Billy Mills's awe-inspiring flight to a record-breaking gold medal, breathtakingly illustrated by award-winning Lakota artist SD Nelson, is a soaring testament to Billy's legacy and the Lakota prayer: we are all related.

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  • Audience: Lower Elementary
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