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Becoming Kareem
- Growing Up on and off the Court
- Narrated by: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Biographies
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Summary
The first memoir for young listeners 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-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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about Becoming Kareem
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 30-04-20
It was an amazing story and all you viewers should go read it!!!!!
I like Kareem and the book and I want you guys to read this amazing book. It teaches you everything about him and what he went through to succeed.
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- Fahd K.
- 15-08-19
Kareem, the man, the gentleman
Really enjoyed this, dabbled in a lot of different episodes in his life and mainly focused on his youth and journey building up to his NBA career. My admiration for Kareem as a person only increased after reading this book. A very wholesome and enjoyable read.
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- Clint Zenk
- 23-06-20
Concise and great
Being a Bucks fan by virtue of my birthplace, I never knew much about our team's first superstar or why he left Milwaukee after helping us climb the mountain top so I sought out this book. I knew a little about KAJ's activism, having read biographies regarding Malcolm X, Jim Brown, & Muhammad Ali before this but in light of recent events, I wanted to know more about that era as well. I wasn't disappointed in either desire.
Further, being a quiet, awkward large man myself, I could completely relate to Kareem's early years as he sought to find himself and fit in. His journey from that quiet, tall, young man to a confident superstar is really what this book is about. Broken into short chapters as his journey progressed, it's a really great read. You get to see his life through historical events off the court as well, shaping him as his basketball skills were honed over the same time.
I really loved the book and appreciate the brief time he was a member of our franchise. His accomplishments both on and off the court are amazing. Any kids struggling to learn their place in the confusing world should love and read this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Lydia C.
- 12-10-18
Highly recommend !!!
I loved Kareem's, audible book so much I sent a hard copy of his book to my Grandson a few months ago. My Grandson loved it too.
I hope some day my Grandson will be able to have his hard copy autographed by Kareem some day soon.
1 person found this helpful
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- Jake Knudsen
- 28-07-18
legend in the making
i definitely enjoyed listening to this book. the short chapters made it easy to follow his stories without any fluff. it was really nice to hear about his early life growing up in new york, his personal experiences and thoughts on racial issues. the only thing that could have made it better would have been if he had gotten more into his professional basketball career in the NBA. as a basketball fan, it piqued my interest and was not disappointed with this purchase. this is a good book for young adults, older readers, and just anyone looking for a good autobiography.
1 person found this helpful
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- Nancy Rawson
- 11-02-22
Kareem inspires!
Thought I knew his story, but hearing the details directly from him was really moving. So very inspiring for ANYONE trying to find their own path and speak their own truth.
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- Ayo
- 22-10-21
Very eye opening
I truly enjoyed the story of how he became Kareem Abdul Jabbar . I never knew the journey and the strength it took to make the choices he did. He is more than a great basketball player and know why!
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- ESC
- 18-09-21
Great book for young readers and old!
My 14-year-old son enjoyed listening to this book. And so did I. We learned a lot that we didn’t know about Kareem. This book is as much about his early basketball career as it is about learning important life lessons.
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- cyphrs
- 13-07-21
Kareem!
How can it not be good. Must hear/read and pass along to friends and family
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- Amazon Customer
- 17-06-21
Great. book!
Great read! Very motivational and inspirational. Enjoyed every moment of this story. Recommend this for all young adults.
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- Matthew S. Hall
- 03-06-21
A great book
And I'll send in book I enjoyed the read. And I learned a little something.
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- J. Leonard
- 12-10-20
Excellent
Loved it and I will share it with my sons. They will know who Kareem, though he played many years ago.