Rising Above: How 11 Athletes Overcame Challenges in Their Youth to Become Stars

Description

Discover the inspirational real-life stories of superstar athletes like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Tim Howard, and more! "Packs a powerful message-perseverance and passion pay off.Even non-sports fans will cheer for superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry."--Scholastic Teacher Team USA goalkeeper Tim Howard was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in 6th grade. He went on to become a national treasure after single-handedly keeping America competitive in the 2014 World Cup. Stephen Curry was told he was too small, too weak, and too slow to even receive a scholarship to play college basketball. He outworked everyone and went on to become MVP of the National Basketball Association. Jim Abbott was born without his right hand, yet he refused to be defined by what he lacked. He went on to pitch a no-hitter in the Major Leagues. Athlete after athlete in this book found discipline, hope, and inspiration on the playing field, rising above their circumstances. Filled with first-hand accounts from stars who exemplify the idea of enduring at all costs,Rising Abovewill serve as a must-read source of inspiration for kids and sports fans of all ages. A Scholastic Teacher magazine Summer Reading List selection AMilwaukee Journal Sentinel Summer Reading List selection

Gregory Zuckerman is a Special Writer at The Wall Street Journal and the bestselling author of The Frackers- The Outrageous Inside Story of the New Billionaire Wildcatters; and The Greatest Trade Ever- The Behind-the-Scenes Story of How John Paulson Defied Wall Street and Made Financial History. He appears regularly on CNBC, Fox Business, National Public Radio, BBC, and other major media outlets. He lives with his wife and two sons in West Orange, N.J., where they enjoy the Yankees in the summer, root for the Giants in the fall, and reminisce about Linsanity in the winter. Follow @gzuckerman

Praise for Rising Above: A Scholastic Teacher magazine Summer Reading List selection A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Summer Reading List selection "An easy pitch for middle school sports lovers."--School Library Journal "This collection of mini-bios about athletes who overcame major obstacles packs a powerful message-perseverance and passion pay off. Even non-sports fans will cheer for superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry."--Scholastic Teacher "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."--Booklist "[O]ften inspiring . . . The underdog stories reveal that dedication and perseverance pay off, as well as that sports can serve as needed outlets and refuges."--Publishers Weekly "I would rate this a 9 1/2 . . . it touch[es] your heart very often with the ways these athletes turn[ed] their lives around."--Colorado Kids