Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds

The Sammy Lee Story
By Paula Yoo, Dom Lee
Paperback: $11.95

The inspirational true story of Sammy Lee, a Korean American who overcame discrimination to realize both his father’s desire that he become a doctor and his own dream of becoming an Olympic champion diver.

Front cover for The Story of Olympic Diver Sammy Lee by Paula Yoo and Dom Lee
This book is also available in English
The Story of Olympic Diver Sammy Lee
By Paula Yoo, Dom Lee

Description

On a summer day in 1932, twelve-year-old Sammy Lee watched enviously as divers catapulted into the public swimming pool. Sammy desperately wanted to try diving himself, but the Korean American boy — like any person of color — was only allowed to use the pool one day a week.

This discrimination did not weaken Sammy’s newfound passion for diving, and soon he began a struggle between his dream of becoming an Olympic champion and his father’s wish for him to become a doctor. Over sixteen years Sammy faced numerous challenges, but he overcame them all and fulfilled both his dream and his father’s. In 1948 Dr. Sammy Lee dove into Olympic history. A matter of seconds after his final platform dive, the scores appeared and Sammy Lee became the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal.

Sammy Lee’s story of determination and triumph sets an extraordinary example for anyone striving to fulfill a dream. Winner of Lee & Low’s New Voices Award, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds will inspire all who read it.

About the Creators

Paula Yoo

Paula Yoo is an author and screenwriter whose children's books for Lee & Low include Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds, Shining Star, and several titles in the Confetti Kids series. Her titles have been recognized by the International Reading Association, the Texas Bluebonnet Award Masterlist, and Lee & Low's New Voices Award. She and her husband live in Los Angeles, California, where she works in television. You can visit her online at paulayoo.com.

Dom Lee

Dom Lee made his picture-book debut with Baseball Saved Us. He grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and went on to illustrate books in both the United States and Korea. His titles for Lee & Low include Ken Mochizuki's Passage to Freedom and Heroes, as well as the award-winning Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds. Lee's unique illustration style involves applying encaustic beeswax on paper, then scratching out images, and finally coloring the images with oil paint. Lee and his wife live in Hollis, New York.

Awards

  • Notable Books for a Global Society

    International Literacy Association (ILA)

  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

    National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

  • Texas Bluebonnet Award Shortlist

    Texas Library Association (TLA)

  • Comstock Read Aloud Book Award Honor

    Minnesota State University Moorhead

  • William Allen White Children's Book Award

    Emporia State University

Reviews

  • * "This hero's inspirational story demonstrates determination and dedication by a man who never gave up and is still an active athlete today."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • * "In her first picture book, winner of the publisher's New Voices Award, Yoo introduces Sammy Lee, the son of Korean immigrants who overcame formidable odds to become an Olympic diving champion, as well as a doctor. . . the uncluttered images leave a deep impact. . . A page of facts closes this handsome, inspiring biography, which will make both an excellent read-aloud for younger children or a read-alone for confident older ones."

    - Booklist
  • "This inspirational biography recognizes the life of the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal, at the 1948 Games in London. . . Lee's painterly illustrations give texture and depth to the full-page spreads. More than a story about discrimination and unfair treatment, this story shows one young man's determination and resolve toward accomplishing a goal in life."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Yoo debuts with an inspiring tribute to the first Asian-American to win an Olympic gold medal. . . [A] motivational tale."

    - Publishers Weekly

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600604539
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2005
  • Trim Size 11 × 8.25 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 1934
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584302476
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2005
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Word Count 1934
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Sports & Recreation / Water Sports
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Biography & Autobiography / Sports & Recreation
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Sports & Recreation / Olympics
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Biography / Memoir, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Civil Rights Movement, Conflict resolution, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Families, Fathers, Gratitude, Heroism, History & Civics, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Immigration, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Mentors, Nonfiction, Occupations, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Pride, Responsibility, Self Control / Self Regulation, Sports, Sports History, United States History
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 5
  • Guided Reading S
  • ATOS Book Level 5.2
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 5
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 880
  • Reading Level 1
  • SRC 4.8
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 21
      English Guided Reading Level S
      Collection of 21 books: $256.95

      1485 in stock

    • 93
      Nonfiction Grades 3-6
      Collection of 93 books: $1,228.35