Lebron James:Rise of a Star (pg 9-42)

Summary-

The book starts off with one Lebron's biggest games against Oak Hill Academy. Lebron attends St. Vincent-St. Mary High School of Akon. This game was broadcasted nationwide on the channel ESPN2 with the top annoucer's calling the game. He was considered "The Chosen One" and that's how Sports Illustrated labeled him. That was huge considering he was only 17. Oak Hill Academy's lineup was stacked with Division I college basketball prospects. The last two times these teams squared off Oak Hill Academy won both times. Lebron James did not want to let his team sown again and he didnt, his team came out with the win. Gloria James was Lebron's mother and she got pregnant at sixteen. Life was hard for her but now being pregnant it became harder. Gloria was one of three children. She had two brothers, Terry and Curt. They grew up on Hickory Street. Most people that lived there earned minimum wage. Everyone in the neighborhood looked out for each other, they looked after one another's child if someone was hit by hard times. Lebron was almost three when he got his first basketball. On Christmas Eve when his grandmother came back from a party she had a massive heart attack. She was only 42 when she passed away. He didnt even know that she had died that day. Lebron James and his mother moved alot dueto the rough times. After living on Hickory Street they moved to Elizabeth Park. which was housing complex. There was a huge presence of drug and alcohol Elizabeth Park. There was pressure on James to get involved with that stuff but he never did. Organized sports was his way to stay out of trouble. It was the only stable thing in his life at the moment. He was first involved with Pee Wee Football. His mother tried to support him the best she could.

Quotation-
Lebron says "Basketball is basically my life, and if i told you something different, I'd be tellin you a lie" (Lee 8).

Reaction-
This book is written in Medias Res. You jump right into the story. This story is about Lebron's life growing up. He had a tough childhood but he strived for the best and look where he is now. Basketball is my life too. I love basketball. His living situation was never stable and he went from house to house. When times were real tough he would go and live with one of his coaches. He created a strong bond with them. Being named the greatest high school basketball player is HUGE honor. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated as a junior. He is an excellent player and he worked hard for it.