Book Club Kits: Wilma Unlimited

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Before Wilma Rudolph was five years old, polio had paralyzed her left leg. Everyone said she would never walk again. But Wilma refused to believe it. Not only would she walk again, she vowed, she'd run. And she did run--all the way to the Olympics, where she became the first American woman to earn three gold medals in a single olympiad. This dramatic and inspiring true story is illustrated in bold watercolor and acrylic paintings by Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Diaz.

Wilma Unlimited Discussion Questions

1. What are some character traits of Wilma Rudolph?
    
2. What are some difficulties that Wilma faced in her childhood? How would you react to the obstacles that Wilma had to deal with?
    
3. Why did children at school make fun of Wilma and her leg brace? How would you feel if you were made fun of for something like that?
    
4. How was Wilma’s walk down the aisle at church similar to her final lap in the Olympic relay race, and how was it different?
    
5. Why do you think the author titled the book Wilma Unlimited? Is it a good title?
    
6. How did having polio affect Wilma?
    
7. Why did Wilma and her mother send her brace back to the hospital? How did her mother help Wilma succeed?
    
8. What made Wilma a winner?
    
9. How might Wilma Rudolph’s life be different if she were born today instead of in 1940?
    
10. Why do so many people admire Wilma Rudolph?