Jim Thorpe, Original All-American

Discover the incredible life of Jim Thorpe, an iconic American legend and one of the greatest athletes who ever lived.

“A superb blend of fiction and non-fiction, rooted in the author’s usual careful research.”—Kirkus Reviews

Jim Thorpe played professional football and major league baseball, and won Olympic gold medals in track and field. He’ll be forever revered by the sports community and by his Native American community. Born on the Sac and Fox Reservation in 1887, Jim was sent as a young boy to various Indian boarding schools—strict, cold places that didn’t allow their students to hold on to their Native American traditions. Jim ran away from school many times, until he found his calling at Pennsylvania’s Carlisle School. There, coach Pop Warner recognized Jim’s athletic excellence and welcomed him onto the football and track teams. Glory followed, as did a surprising disgrace.

But through everything, Jim was a person to admire—an engaging, spirited, and impressive young man. Told in Jim’s voice, this is a rousing, fascinating read about a truly great American.