This informational chapter book begins with the baby King James entering the world. Born to a 16 year old, immature mother, his life was sure to see its ups and downs. The only stability in his early life was his grandmother, who at about age three died of a massive heart attack while his mother was out partying. This lack of stability in his life resulted in absolute turmoil, moving in and out of people's homes for several years. LeBron recalls moving seven times in one year, and missing 89 days of the school year. It is hard to believe that a little boy who experienced what he did growing up developed into such a talented, hard-working athlete.
The author's style is quite informal. He refers to LeBron's mother, Gloria, as "belligerent" and "immature", and claims she was simply not ready for the task of raising a child. He does, however, make it clear through interviews and information from others that although she was struggling, her love for LeBron was never wavering. She was true to him the best she could be.
The organization of the biography was a struggle for me. It moves through time until present day (which was actually 2003- the date of the book bothers me because it doesn't reach "The Decision" of 2010, which is a pivotal time in LeBron's life). The focus, however, is how he became a star. Rather than just sequentially traveling through events in his life, it divides the chapters into themed ideas. For example, one chapter was dedicated to moving around; another was dedicated to the game in high school where he managed to gain fame. Although I think that all of the details the author shares are very important, I would rather the book been divided into ages and travel more sequentially through his life. At times it was difficult to jump back and forth between him being a baby, then talking about fifth grade, then going back again.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. LeBron James is one of the most controversially disputed players in NBA history. My husband and I argue about him frequently; I am in love with him, and my husband hates his guts. I think that rather or not you really like him, it's beneficial to see where he came from. Biographies always have a way of making me love a person, or at least having some empathy for him or her. A man who has won two championships in a row, a man who is frequently referred to as "King" or "The Chosen One" used to play street ball in a milk crate attached to a pole. What person can't find some interest in that?
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