Monday, August 11, 2014

Sasquatch in the Paint by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Yes, you read the name of the author correctly.  Kareem has entered the young adult literature arena.  At first, I thought, "Oh, boy...", but I was pleasantly surprised. 
Theo had an amazing growth spurt over the summer before his 8th grade year, and everyone expects him to be a basketball prodigy.  Truth is...he is more talented in academics than in sports, but he does not want to let anyone down.  Through the book, he is met with tough choices that affect all of the people he cares about including Rain--the new girl in school who has nicknamed him, Sasquatch. 
As I stated before, this book is a good sports book, but it is so much more than that.  I loved reading about Theo, and I could see so many of my students in him as he had to make those tough choices. 
I highly recommend this one.  If you like sports books, you will like this one.  If you like books with strong characters who you cannot help but root for, then you will like this one.
Pick up this quick read.  You will not be sorry.

Check out this Inteview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar He even shows you how to do his famous shot.

Book 19