Billie Jean Peet, Athlete is a recent (2025) book by Andrea Beaty, author of Ada Twist, Scientist (and other books in that series, like Iggy Peck, Architect). Like those earlier books (and as the title suggests), there’s a lot of fun rhyme here. Like those earlier books, this one includes vivid and engaging illustrations by David Roberts. (The two-page untied shoelace spread is fantastic!) And, like those earlier books, this one focuses on a single young person trying to find or make their place in the world.
This one, though, was a bit more common scenario–the struggle of the middle child–and the solution more common (sports), though the twists and reversals are a lot of fun. Kids who enjoy this series will enjoy this book, but kids who need that confirmation of their STEM interests won’t find this as relatable as Ada Twist or Rosie Revere.
