Fast Girls

A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team.

By: Elise Hooper

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Kristyl Dawn Tift, Reba Buhr, Kaleo Griffith

“Fast Girls is a compelling, thrilling look at what it takes to be a female Olympian in pre-war America.... Brava to Elise Hooper for bringing these inspiring heroines to the wide audience they so richly deserve.” (Tara Conklin, New York Times best-selling author of The Last Romantics and The House Girl)

Acclaimed author Elise Hooper explores the gripping, real-life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany.

Perfect for listeners who love untold stories of amazing women, such as The Only Woman in the Room, Hidden Figures, and The Lost Girls of Paris.

In the 1928 Olympics, Chicago’s Betty Robinson competes as a member of the first-ever women’s delegation in track and field. Destined for further glory, she returns home feted as America’s golden girl until a nearly fatal airplane crash threatens to end everything.

Outside of Boston, Louise Stokes, one of the few black girls in her town, sees competing as an opportunity to overcome the limitations placed on her. Eager to prove that she has what it takes to be a champion, she risks everything to join the Olympic team.

From Missouri, Helen Stephens, awkward, tomboyish, and poor, is considered an outcast by her schoolmates, but she dreams of escaping the hardships of her farm life through athletic success. Her aspirations appear impossible until a chance encounter changes her life.

These three athletes will join with others to defy society’s expectations of what women can achieve. As tensions bring the United States and Europe closer and closer to the brink of war, Betty, Louise, and Helen must fight for the chance to compete as the fastest women in the world amid the pomp and pageantry of the Nazi-sponsored 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

©2020 Elise Hooper (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“Will hurl you down the track of American history and have you rooting for some of the toughest underdogs ever to aspire to Olympic gold. Three of the fastest girls in history finally get their day in the sun, and we get to bask in their glory. I couldn’t put this one down.” (Kerri Maher, author of The Kennedy Debutante and The Girl in White Gloves)

Perfect Summer Olympic Read

Fantastic story! I started reading it because I was dreading training for a half marathon and thought it would be great inspiration. I ended up so much more engaged with the history and characters that I had expected. I cried when it was over because I kept wanting to follow the lives of these women. Definitely recommend it as a summer reading book with the Olympics coming up. I know that I will be cheering for our women’s track and field team with newfound respect this year.

Insightful story

I enjoyed learning about these women athletes and their perseverance to compete in the Olympics in 1928-1936. I especially liked learning about the first Black track & field competitors during this time.

Really good book about 1932 and 1936 Olympics

This was a really good book about 1932 and 1936 Olympics and it pertaining to women. When the story came to the 1936 Olympics, it like quickly closed and it was like a let down for me. Also then I learned some of the details and characters were made up by the author which disheartened me too. Overall a good book though.

Great book

I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. Great mix of factual knowledge and a great story line.

Beautiful and inspiring story of female perseverance

I loved the various narrators bringing you along in each woman’s story and the depth of each character. This was a fascinating story that more women deserve to know and celebrate.

Wonderfully Written Story.

I enjoyed everything about and included in the story. Yes it is partly fiction but most of a true story of the events, thoughts and beliefs

Page Turner

Wondering if Nazis really did try to sabotage American team and probably others. Surprising that other countries let Jews go to Germany while Hitler was in power.

Great read, as a woman and a runner!

Loved this historical fiction, and made me grateful for these pioneering women in the sports world.

Great story

Didn't want this story to stop. Captured the incredible struggles women athletes faced during these eras especially black female athletes. A must read for today's female athletes eager to understand the historical trailblazers!

Great read on fast girls & Olympics

Betty & US Olympics women was an inspiration to many young girls. Great historical read for book clubs.