Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist

Marshall Taylor could ride his bike forward, backward, even perched on the handlebars. When his stunts landed him a job at the famous Indiana bike shop Hay and Willits, folks were amazed that a thirteen-year-old black boy in 1891 could be such a crackerjack cyclist.How little Marshall Taylor -- through dedication, undeniable talent, and daring speed -- transformed himself into the extraordinary Major Taylor is chronicled in this inspiring biography. Here is the story of a kid who turned pro at the age of eighteen, went on to win the world championship title just three years later, and battled racism and the odds to become a true American hero.

Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome are the author and illustrator of Satchel Paige, the story of the first black player to pitch in a major league World Series. James is also the illustrator of such titles as Let My People Go by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack and Under the Quilt of Night by Deborah Hopkinson and has received many accolades for his illustrations, including the Coretta Scott King Award and the NAACP Image Award. James and Lesa live with their four children in upstate New York. Visit James at his Web site: www.jamesransome.com.