Hakeem Olajuwon [Library Binding]

Bill Gutman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1995 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Millbrook Sports World

Examines the life of basketball superstar Hakeem Olajuwon, from his roots in Nigeria, to his years at the University of Houston, to his back-to-back championships as the center for the NBA's Houston Rockets.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5?Basic information about the Houston Rockets center and Texas Rangers outfielder. Both books feature brief sketches that focus on the subjects' athletic accomplishments, along with an array of full-color and black-and-white photographs. Olajuwon chronicles the Nigerian-born star's career through the Rockets' 1994 championship season, though the appended timeline does list the Rockets' 1995 NBA title. Gonzalez, a native of Puerto Rico, hasn't been on as successful a team as Olajuwon, so his individual accomplishments are featured through the strike-shortened 1994 season. Miles Harvey's Hakeem Olajuwon (1994) and Juan Gonzalez (1995, both Childrens) and George Rekela's Hakeem Olajuwon (Lerner, 1993) are similar titles. Gutman's volumes are acceptable purchases where sports biographies are popular.?Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562945688
• ISBN-13: 978-1562945688
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,683,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The story of a true sports hero, September 13, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hakeem Olajuwon (Millbrook Sports World) (Paperback)

Hakeem Olajuwon is truly one of the good men of sports. A devout Muslim, when another Muslim player in the NBA chose to cover his face when the American National Anthem was played, Olajuwon spoke out and said that Islam dictates that you be a good citizen of your country.

He was also an incredible basketball player, with a drive and determination to succeed that rivaled any other player. However, he is also to be admired for his work ethic, a native of Nigeria, where basketball is an incidental sport, he had to learn the game quickly.

When he enrolled at the University of Houston, he was an immigrant to the United States, not yet fully developed physically and knew little of the subtleties of basketball. Yet, in only a few years, he worked himself into the position where he was one of the best players in the world.

His story is an inspiring one, it will demonstrate to children that success is a combination of talent and work; in most cases the preponderance is work. Gutman captures the essence of Olajuwon, his roots, life and determination to be the best. This is a very good book for children.