Guts and Glory : Making It in the NBA [Library Binding]

Ken Rappoport (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up

Examines the lives of ten professional basketball players, including Muggsy Bogues, Bobby Hurley, John Lucas, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Buck Williams, who overcame various obstacles on their way to success in the NBA.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9. The 10 players featured in this title were chosen not because of the talent they display on the court, but because of the major adversities they have overcome to reach their status amongst the basketball elite. Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Miller, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Isiah Thomas are among those whose travails are documented. Eight of the athletes are currently playing in the NBA. The problems they faced run the gamut from physical disabilities to chemical addiction, legal trouble, and severe poverty. Refreshingly, statistics and records play a secondary role in these biographical accounts of dedication and perseverance. Rappoport presents readers with information that isn't readily available in books published for this age group and does so in a very readable fashion. As in many of the author's earlier titles, he documents his sources with endnotes, and his research includes several personal interviews. A couple of black-and-white photographs, mostly action shots, appear with each entry. All in all, an interesting look at a unique group of professionals.?Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-7. Although the title may lead readers to think they are going to be treated to some self-help secrets, this is actually a collective biography of 10 outstanding athletes that insightfully describes stumbling blocks to making it in the NBA. Rappoport discusses not only some of the physical obstacles the players faced but also such challenges as poverty. John Lucas, who battled alcohol and drug addiction to stay in the NBA, and Isiah Thomas, who survived the ghetto, are among those included. Rappoport captures each subject in a readable style, revealing the athlete's dedication and perseverance. Black-and-white photographs and source notes. Shelley Townsend-Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 147 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Co (Lib) (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802784313
• ISBN-13: 978-0802784315
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,603,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Guts and Slory: Making It in the NBA, March 5, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Guts and Glory: Making It in the NBA (Hardcover)

The book Guts and Glory: Making It in the NBA by Ken Rappoport was a truly inspiring novel. It shares a brief lifetime summary of ten basketball players who made it into the NBA. But not only did these players make it into the NBA, they overcame huge obstacles in there life. These ten players were Chris Jackson, Muggsy Bogues, Bobby Hurley, John Lucus, Reggie Miller, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Starks, Isiah Thomas, Buck Williams, and John "Hot Rod" Williams. Most of these kids grew up with nothing, living in a poverty stricken neighborhood. Drugs and gang violence were common in their area but they managed to stay away from all of that. Some had personal disabilities. But the one main thing that they all had in common was that they never gave up because of their past, and followed their dream of making it into the NBA. These players were extremely dedicated and loved the game of basketball. They never let their personal challenges get in the way as they beat the odds, and did the unthinkable. My personal favorite came from Muggsy Bogues who was the shortest player in the NBA history at 5 foot 3 inches. In conclusion, I rate this book five stars and recommend it to anyone who loves basketball or who wants to chase their dreams.

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Boy Basketball, April 12, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Guts and Glory: Making It in the NBA (Hardcover)

I really liked this book. It was about people who made it in the NBA and told about their lives. Most of the people I read about had really hard lives, but some people had easier lives than others. One of my favorites was Reggie Miller. He had braces on both legs for the first four years of his life, and he also had an open chest cavity, but that didn't stop him from making it into the NBA. This was a great book and I recommend reading it.