How 11 Athletes Overcame Challenges in Their Youth to Become Stars
May 16, 2016
Adult author and journalist Gregory Zuckerman (The Frackers) and his sons assemble a straightforward, often inspiring collection of short biographies of athletes who achieved greatness despite personal tragedies and other setbacks. Born in the Republic of the Congo, Serge Ibaka survived war and the death of his mother to go on to play with the NBA; tennis star Althea Gibson (the only woman included) proved her abilities on the court despite facing violent prejudice as an African-American athlete; and Major League Baseball player R.A. Dickey was a victim of sexual abuse. The underdog stories (basketball stars Dwyane Wade, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James are also included) reveal that dedication and perseverance pay off, as well as that sports can serve as needed outlets and refuges. Ages 8–12.
March 15, 2016
Stories of 11 athletes overcoming adversity to become the cream of their sports, from Wall Street Journal writer Zuckerman and his two sons. Some of these athletes' stories are well-known, how they excelled despite the most serious obstacles, be it having only one hand and dreaming of being a baseball player (Jim Abbott) or standing down the racism that attended tennis, as Althea Gibson did. Others may be more obscure. Soccer goalie Tim Howard had to struggle with Tourette's and obsessive-compulsive behavior; Stephen Curry was small enough that he had to be a walk-on at Virginia Tech to even get a chance at basketball. There is poverty, sexual abuse, physical abuse, abandonment, illiteracy, and even civil war in Congo. While the subjects can carry almost any weight, the Zuckermans struggle to bring them to life. Often luck was the key to success: being in the right place at the right time and seen by someone who got and kept the ball rolling. And while it is never easy to explain transcendent sporting ability, quotes like "It was like I was floating on air," from Tim Howard, or--without diminishing LeBron James' mother's influence--"He had his mother to love and comfort him" have little insight to offer. There is both solace and inspiration in these 11 heroes, but it doesn't take much to imagine that for each of them, there were dozens who didn't get the break. (Nonfiction. 8-12)
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April 1, 2016
Gr 6-8-In this collection of profiles, the authors outline the early lives and significant challenges of 11 standout athletes, tracing some of the personal traits that helped them succeed despite long odds. Only one of the athletes is a woman, tennis great Althea Gibson. Her chapter is especially motivational, detailing her endurance of hateful attacks and racist barriers. At the close of each chapter, the athlete weighs the demands he or she has faced and reflects on important lessons learned. Several athletes describe sexual and physical abuse, the loss or absence of parents, or, in the case of Congolese-born NBA forward Serge Ibaka, coming-of-age in a war zone. Though the narrative is fluid throughout, the authors occasionally lapse into play-by-play patter, describing, for example, basketball star Stephen Curry "knocking down threes," meaning three-point throws, though elsewhere they take pains to define elementary aspects of the sports. In an afterword, Gregory Zuckerman credits the idea for the book to one of his sons, both of whom are listed as coauthors, a potential selling point. VERDICT Despite some minor blemishes, this will be an easy pitch for middle school sports lovers.-Bob Hassett, Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church, VA
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2016
Grades 3-6 Through firsthand accounts and personal recollections, the authors recount the stories of 11 athletes who achieved notoriety and success in spite of very serious setbacks in their youth. All 11 chapters offer a host of highs and lows, and they reinforce the notion that success does not usually come easy. The stories, which include highly recognizable names like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade, recount tales of physical ailments, behavior problems, social anxieties, economic struggles, and familial strife. So many of the obstacles that these athletes share are retold using personal interviews and primary source material that young readers will find very relatable. Though the people chronicled are all athletes, their stories have morals that are easily transferred to life off the court or the field. The highly relevant message is that no situation is too dire or insurmountable with the right attitude and that young people shouldn't allow setbacks to define them.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)