Peasreads: Beyond the Game: LeBron James By Andrew Maraniss Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge

Beyond the Game: LeBron James By Andrew Maraniss Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge

I do not watch sports I knew the name LeBron James. I didn't know anything about him, not even the team he played on. 

I don't know why I read this book. It's 72 pages of Mr. LeBron James' life and the rest of the pages are Timeline, History, question and answer.

I learned a lot about Mr. James as a person and his character. This book and others in this series (if written similarly) will be encouraging to young readers. Challenging them also to develop strong character, and to face challenges with dignity and perseverance. This book also teaches the importance of a village and the need for help. 

I hope kids will have the opportunity to read this book. 

Description:

Beyond the Game is a new nonfiction chapter book series about athletes who have stepped up beyond sports to make a difference in the world, from acclaimed author, Andrew Maraniss and illustrator DeAndra Hodge. This is the story of LeBron James and his social justice work.

Before he became one of the most famous basketball players on the planet, before he began speaking out for justice, LeBron James was just a kid.

In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Andrew Maraniss, illustrated by DeAndra Hodge, readers learn more about the life and work of LeBron James—from growing up with a single mother in Akron, Ohio, to his journey to the NBA and ten NBA championships, to his social justice work creating I PROMISE and speaking up for Black Lives Matter.

While known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, LeBron James has changed the world beyond sports.

Complete with black-and-white illustrations throughout, statistics, resources, and ways for kids to make a difference on their own—BEYOND THE GAME is a giftable and inspirational series for every reader.

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I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Peasreads: The Woman in Me

 

Her life and story told in her words. Britney Spears has had an expansive career and her face has been splattered on many covers of magazines accompanied by stories that photos and showed whatever it took to make those people rich. They were never telling her story.

Britney tells the story of her life with raw honesty. She speaks of happiness, joy, sadness, trauma, love, rejection, rumors, heartache, and being used by so many people around her. People who should have loved, protected, and guided her. Her early days when she truly felt joy in the music and dance. How that became an escape for her. She talks about her love life, setting records straight. There is no finger-pointing or blame. Just the truth about who she loved, how she loved, and her dreams for life.

She talks about her boys. In a way that all mothers can relate to. Her desperation to just be able to see them, to be able to be with them. How they were used as a weapon. Used to get her to perform. Her experiences with the paparazzi how relentless and cruel they were. As a mother, I can't imagine what I would have done. Especially with newborns and having PPD.  How far would we go as mothers to protect our children?

Peasreads: HE/SHE/THEY

Wow. What can I say about this book? Informative, equipping, heartbreaking, healing, hope-full. You can read the description below from the publisher. Schuyler Bailar may not have set out to be an educator on gender identity, but I'm glad he saw the need and did his very best to fill that need. Maybe he was more thrust into the role. I don't know. As an Ally I seek to be educated as much as possible. The work, research, and interviews that Schuyler put into this book are invaluable for someone who doesn't have the resources he does. Some questions I may not feel comfortable asking, or may not know who to ask were answered in this book. Number one takeaway is to respect the language the person in front of you prefers, no matter what you have learned or think.

I learned so much. This is a book that all counselors, educators, healthcare workers, Allies, activists, and anyone who has questions should read. Is this book the end all be all book on gender identity? Of course not, this is just the beginning I hope for more books like this to come. Books that guide the layman if you will. I would 100% recommend and gift this book. 

Peasread: I'll Push You

I'll Push You
Patrick Gray, Justin Skeesuck
Paperback: 312 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 6, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1496421701

ISBN-13: 978-1496421708

Peasread: Beauty Begins

Beauty Begins is a Christian/Biblical living book about true beauty. It is about God's definition of beauty, beauty as He created it/US to be. The book talks about how we have lost sight of what true beauty is and are looking at ourselves and those around us through the world's eyes. Instead of seeing that we are created in God's image and are perfect we start letting what society defines as beautiful creep into out thoughts. After a while we forget that true beauty is reflecting God's image, His love, grace, mercy, kindness.
We can never reach the world's standards on beauty, trends change, we're all made differently (fearfully and wonderfully), we can't all fit into one mold.  But God is unchanging. He is constant, and He has made us perfectly, for a perfect purpose. To love well, and reflect him. It's so important that we remember this and Beauty Begins is a helpful reminder that we need to "Make peace with our reflection" and focus on what's important and what is eternal.