Girls with Guts!: The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records, Hardcover

No chasing No stretching or straining And never, ever sweat. These were the rules girls were forced to play by until Title IX passed in 1972. And it was a game-changer.

A celebration of the strength, endurance, and athleticism of women and girls throughout the ages, Girls With Guts keeps score with examples of women athletes from the late 1800s up through the 1970s, sharing how women refused to take no for an answer, and how finally, they pushed for a law to protect their right to play, compete, and be athletes.

"I find that this book tells the story of courageous and remarkable women that has brought the opportunities for today's girls in a positive and fun way even though the fight has not always been easy. But this book captures history in way where the first thought is strength and will of these remarkable ladies.

It is also a good book to remind that it is not that long ago that we were in a very different situation still. A good reminder that even though there are still things and attitudes to change, women's sport has come a long way to the point we had in Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games for the first time ever, 50/50 female and male athletes competing "

--Emma Terho, a multiple-time Olympic and Women's World Championship bronze medalist

Debbie Gonzales is an educator, curriculum consultant, former school administrator, and adjunct professor. She's the author of six books for New Zealand publisher Giltedge. She earned an MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives with her husband John and dog in Michigan.

Rebecca Gibbon is an acclaimed illustrator whose credits include Players in Pigtails and Elizabeth Leads the Way. She paints in watercolor ink and colored pencil, and bases her characters on the people she has met and seen over the years. Rebecca lives with her husband and two boys in the UK. www.rebeccagibbon.com