The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez
March 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 3 A marathon runner, 29-year-old Lorena Ram�rez is one of the Rar�muri, "the light-footed people," who live surrounded by canyons and mountains in a remote Mexican region. Lorena grew up herding her family's cows and goats, as well as playing a game that involved kicking a ball for long distances through the canyon, and walking or running for miles to buy food and other supplies. Now running in marathons around the world, she stands out, always wearing sandals made from rubber tires and a colorful, traditional long skirt, made by her mother. Her father and brothers are fine runners, too, and like Lorena, they help support the family with their winnings. The narrative introduces her as a child growing up in the canyon and, some years later, running a 60-mile marathon with her family cheering at the finish line. The back matter fills in the details of her intriguing story. Created with vivid colors, imaginative details, and a fine sense of movement, the illustrations capture the celebration of watching an Indigenous woman excel in the modern world.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
April 15, 2024
A Rar�muri runner's strength and pride in her roots lead the way to triumph. In 2017, Lorena Ram�rez won the Ultra Trail Cerro Rojo, a 31-mile race. Since then, she's won races all over the world, including ultramarathons that are more than 60 miles long. Running is an integral part of her heritage; Medina explains that the very word "Rar�muri" means "the light-footed people" or "those who run fast" and that the Rar�muri--Indigenous people who live in Chihuahua, Mexico--are known for their great endurance. Medina follows Lorena as she runs day and night across rugged terrain, against "hundreds from other countries." She stands out because of her huaraches, which are "cut from rubber tires," and her home-sewn skirt. Unlike the other athletes, Ram�rez competes "without fancy gear or gadgets." Swirling images of animals, flowers, and family members appear in the background, highlighting the grit and fire that fuel Lorena. When the dark-haired, brown-skinned runner crosses the finish line ahead of her competitors, her family is there to cheer her on, among her many fans. This tale of endurance, ancestral pride, and remarkable athleticism culminates in backmatter about Ram�rez that provides more context for her accomplishments and information about her Rar�muri heritage. Brought to life by vivid illustrations and reverent, energetic prose, Ram�rez's story will delight readers. A vibrant homage to a celebrated athlete, her supportive community, and Indigenous resilience. (Informational picture book. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from May 1, 2024
Gr 1-4-This is a striking introduction to ultramarathon runner, Lorena Ram�rez, who belongs to the Indigenous Rar�muri people of Mexico. The book follows Ram�rez as she runs 60 miles, all while wearing the traditional shoes and clothing of her people. As she runs, readers gain insight into her rural upbringing and lifestyle, as well as the intense physical demands of the race. Peppered with figurative language, the spare text is lyrical, at times echoing the rhythm of Ram�rez's steadfast footsteps. The digital illustrations are rich, evocative, and thoughtful in composition; the art beautifully blends present and past and gives readers a view of the race from a variety of perspectives-from her white rubber shoes to the clouds and birds soaring above her. Vibrant florals illuminate Ram�rez's strength and persistence and add movement throughout the story. An author's note at the end expands on Ram�rez's achievements, her community, and her pride in her heritage. Runners are depicted in a variety of skin tones. VERDICT An exceptional addition to all collections.-Lauren Strohecker
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from July 8, 2024
Medina and Rojas Castro relate the story of Indigenous Mexican ultramarathon runner Lorena Ramírez (b. 1995) in this
exuberant picture book, a double debut. “As a proud daughter of the Rarámuri, ‘the light-footed people,’ ” Ramírez regularly runs long distances in huaraches and a homemade skirt. Employing “strength built from herding goats and cows... patience built from walking for hours to buy food,” she exhibits physical stamina that propels her against hundreds of racers in events that crisscross the world. Fluidly rendered digital illustrations showcase stunning desert colors with a bold palette, depicting flora and fauna amid the runners, portrayed with various skin tones. Emphasizing the way “her muscles draw energy from the earth with every footfall,” it’s a narrative that celebrates Ramírez’s determination, legacy, and grit. A biographical note and sources conclude. Ages 4–8.
September 1, 2024
This picture-book biography introduces readers to an extraordinary Indigenous ultramarathoner. Ramirez, born in 1995, is "a proud daughter of the Raramuri," a tribe from a remote region of Chihuahua in Mexico. Known as the "light-footed people" for their proclivity for endurance running, their abilities are forged by necessity as they travel long distances for food and supplies. Ramirez's experiences navigating rivers and trekking across deserts have trained her to endure many difficult courses and climates. Pride in her heritage is encapsulated in the image of her running in huaraches and a long woven skirt, swiftly leaving behind others wearing "fancy gear and gadgets." Medina's rhythmic text is punctuated with onomatopoeia and emphasizes Ramirez's connection to the Raramuri traditions, including the traditional pinole drink (made of ground corn and spices, as explained in the back matter) that sustains her. Also incorporated are glimpses of Ramirez's daily life, describing how she is strengthened by her family and her community and how she "draws energy from the earth" itself. Castro's richly colored digital images depict the flora and fauna of the desert terrain and feature floral motifs that surround Ramirez like a cloud of energy. The back matter includes a list of sources and more about Ramirez's accomplishments, daily life for the Raramuri, and how running marathons supports their community. Jessica Agudelo
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
July 1, 2024
This picture-book biography introduces readers to an extraordinary Indigenous ultramarathoner. Ramirez, born in 1995, is "a proud daughter of the Raramuri," a tribe from a remote region of Chihuahua in Mexico. Known as the "light-footed people" for their proclivity for endurance running, their abilities are forged by necessity as they travel long distances for food and supplies. Ramirez's experiences navigating rivers and trekking across deserts have trained her to endure many difficult courses and climates. Pride in her heritage is encapsulated in the image of her running in huaraches and a long woven skirt, swiftly leaving behind others wearing "fancy gear and gadgets." Medina's rhythmic text is punctuated with onomatopoeia and emphasizes Ramirez's connection to the Raramuri traditions, including the traditional pinole drink (made of ground corn and spices, as explained in the back matter) that sustains her. Also incorporated are glimpses of Ramirez's daily life, describing how she is strengthened by her family and her community and how she "draws energy from the earth" itself. Castro's richly colored digital images depict the flora and fauna of the desert terrain and feature floral motifs that surround Ramirez like a cloud of energy. The back matter includes a list of sources and more about Ramirez's accomplishments, daily life for the Raramuri, and how running marathons supports their community.
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)