Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court (2017)

by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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220	12	123,913	(4.45)	9
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! The first memoir for young readers by sports legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward. But with a talent for basketball, and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. From a childhood made difficult by racism and prejudice to a record-smashing career on the basketball court as an adult, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's life was packed with "coaches" who taught him right from wrong and led him on the path to greatness. His parents, coaches Jack Donahue and John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and many others played important roles in Abdul-Jabbar's life and sparked him to become an activist for social change and advancement. The inspiration from those around him, and his drive to find his own path in life, are highlighted in this personal and awe-inspiring journey. Written especially for young readers, Becoming Kareem chronicles how Kareem Abdul-Jabbar become the icon and legend he is today, both on and off the court.… (more)

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Showing 1-5 of 12 (next | show all)

I got this from AudioFile Sync: Audio Books for Teens. It was one of the 2019 free Summer downloads. Otherwise, I would generally pass on sports. But I do love a great autobiography, which this is. And while I am generally leery of an author narrating their own book, autobiographies seem to be an exception. Even though a little of the reading is a bit stiff, hearing their voice adds to the tone of the "character" I am reading about. It's rare to read about a sports figure who cares about academics, integrity AND sports, and nice to hear that success doesn't always lead to a lot of bad (indulgent) choices. (

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TraSea | Apr 29, 2024 |

I don't even like sports, really, but this book was an inspiration. I have a ton of respect for this human. (

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mslibrarynerd | Jan 13, 2024 |

"Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court" is an engaging and candid memoir that chronicles the life of basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It delves into his childhood struggles in Harlem, his exceptional basketball career, and the challenges of fame and identity. The book stands out for its introspection, addressing themes of racial inequality, political activism, and personal growth. Kareem's inspiring journey from a talented athlete to a socially conscious individual makes this memoir a compelling and thought-provoking read for all audiences. (

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rebecamp | Jul 17, 2023 |

Really stellar autobiography, one that illustrates Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's thoughtfulness, and the deep impact that the Civil Rights movement in America had on his personal development. It's extremely depressing to realize that all of the things he talks about from the 1960s -- race riots over the police killing Black children, casual racism and microaggressions, institutionalized racism, attacks on celebrities of color -- none of those have changed at all. He does an amazing job relating his personal story to the context of the history he's lived through, while talking about the hard work and dedication required to achieve extraordinary athleticism. His journey to Islam and to changing his name was particularly moving. It is a fairly slow paced book, but the work is worth the time. (

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jennybeast | Apr 14, 2022 |

At one time Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward. But with a talent for basketball and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

From a childhood made difficult by racism and prejudice to a record-smashing career on the basketball court as an adult, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's life was packed with "coaches" who taught him right from wrong and led him on the path to greatness. His parents, coaches Jack Donahue and John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and many others played important roles in Abdul-Jabbar's life and sparked him to become an activist for social change and advancement. The inspiration from those around him and his drive to find his own path in life are highlighted in this personal and awe-inspiriting journey.

Written especially for young listeners, Becoming Kareem chronicles how Kareem Abdul-Jabbar become the icon and legend he is today, both on and off the court.

Gmomaj | Jul 18, 2021 |

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Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court

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UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA

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Game of Death (1978 | IMDb)

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A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! The first memoir for young readers by sports legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward. But with a talent for basketball, and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. From a childhood made difficult by racism and prejudice to a record-smashing career on the basketball court as an adult, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's life was packed with "coaches" who taught him right from wrong and led him on the path to greatness. His parents, coaches Jack Donahue and John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and many others played important roles in Abdul-Jabbar's life and sparked him to become an activist for social change and advancement. The inspiration from those around him, and his drive to find his own path in life, are highlighted in this personal and awe-inspiring journey. Written especially for young readers, Becoming Kareem chronicles how Kareem Abdul-Jabbar become the icon and legend he is today, both on and off the court.

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