True Legend

( 29 )

Overview


#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica makes his return to the basketball court!

There's a reason teammates call him "True." Because for basketball phenom Drew Robinson, there is nothing more true than his talent on the court. It's the kind that comes along once in a generation and is loaded with perks--and with problems. Before long, True buys in to his own hype, much to the chagrin of his mother, who wants to keep her boy's head grounded--and suddenly trouble has a way of ...

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More About This Book

Overview


#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica makes his return to the basketball court!

There's a reason teammates call him "True." Because for basketball phenom Drew Robinson, there is nothing more true than his talent on the court. It's the kind that comes along once in a generation and is loaded with perks--and with problems. Before long, True buys in to his own hype, much to the chagrin of his mother, who wants to keep her boy's head grounded--and suddenly trouble has a way of finding him. That is, until a washed-up former playground legend steps back onto the court and takes True under his wing.

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Editorial Reviews

VOYA - Lorne Carter
Lupica is the greatest sports writer for middle school readers, and this book, True Legend, is a reminder of his dominance. There is a reason teammates call him "True." It is because, for basketball phenom Drew Robinson, there is nothing more true than his talent on the court. From Drew's basketball games to the problems he experiences, the story is absorbing. This reader appreciated how Drew was not depicted as "perfect," as he surprisingly loses a couple of games for his team and even gets in trouble with the police. It makes the book feel real. All in all, if you like sports, this book is for you. Reviewer: Lorne Carter, Teen Reviewer
VOYA - Kim Carter
Only fifteen, Drew "True" Robinson is a basketball legend in the making, and people want to get close to him—"get him stuff"—including Mr. Gilbert, whose money funded the Oakley Academy gymnasium. After scouting Drew in New York City and hiring Drew's mother so Drew can attend and play for Oakley Academy, Mr. Gilbert's friendship develops its own strings attached, sometimes at odds with what Drew knows he owes his teammates. Meanwhile, Drew thinks of school "as being like playing with four fouls. He just [has] to make sure not to foul out." With an important research paper looming alongside some crucial games that will determine Oakley's opportunity to advance toward the league championship, Drew finds his inspiration when he crosses paths with a shadowy figure on the late-night playground court Drew frequents. Determined and persistent, Drew tracks the figure down, and develops a relationship with "Legend," an almost-great basketball player most people think is dead. Legend has more than a few moves to teach Drew, including a lesson that, "You can spend your whole life hiding from the truth about yourself, but it will find you sooner or later." The perfect trifecta of deep knowledge and portrayal of the history and culture of basketball, keen insight into the obstacle course of motivations and temptations facing a talented young man, and perfect-pitch sports writing, True Legend could serve well in a middle school classroom study in character development, and will enthrall reluctant and eager readers alike. Reviewer: Kim Carter
Kirkus Reviews
In a didactic but well-crafted sports story, a teen basketball phenomenon learns not to take his own superstar future for granted. Not yet 16, Drew "True" Robinson has been treated like a star since some of his first forays onto the basketball court. When he spots a talented, solitary older player on his neighborhood court late one night, Drew thinks he's seen a ghost. What he's met is a cautionary tale: The man, who tells Drew to call him Donald, is a former basketball legend who lost everything when he became too invested in the hype surrounding him. When Drew too begins to make mistakes on the court, he seeks out Donald, haunted by the man's story. Like Donald, most characters function equally well as symbols and as people: Mr. Gilbert, the rich benefactor who treats Drew like a luxury commodity; Drew's teammate and best friend, Lee, content to pick up Drew's off-the-court slack for the good of the game. The clear message here is that young athletes should not let fame go to their heads, a case made so well by the story that Drew's continued arrogance and poor decision-making is sometimes difficult to believe. A solid mix of character-driven realism and basketball action. (Fiction. 12-18)
Awards

"Written in a fluid mix of slightly distant exposition and terse dialogue, the tale features plenty of suspenseful, expertly depicted hoops action along with choices both wrong and, ultimately, right made in the face of glittering temptations." --Booklist

*"The perfect trifecta of deep knowledge and portrayal of the history and culture of basketball, keen insight into the obstacle course of motivations and temptations facing a talented young man, and perfect-pitch sports writing. . . Lupica is the greatest sportswriter for middle-grade readers, and this book, True Legend, is a reminder of his dominance."--VOYA, starred review

School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up—Lupica scores another winner with this cautionary tale of Drew "True" Robinson, a high school junior basketball phenom who almost gets lost in the perks and fame that come his way. When Oakley Academy owner Seth Gilbert witnesses Drew's passing and shooting talents, he moves the teen and his mother from New York to California, enrolls him at Oakley, gives Drew's mother a job, and takes charge of Drew's life. The teen readily accepts the computer, chauffeur, and comforts that Gilbert provides. But his starstruck self-perception is shaken when he befriends a mysterious "playground legend," who ultimately explains his own fall from grace. Drew begins to see the consequences of his self-absorbed life: opting for unsuccessful, show-stopping shots instead of passing to an open teammate, flaunting his skills and alienating a girl he likes, letting others help with his schoolwork, and allowing a devoted friend and teammate take the blame when he wrecks the owner's Maserati. In an emotional confrontation with Mr. Gilbert, Drew announces that he will start thinking for himself, making decisions based on his own values of honesty, compassion, and fairness. Loaded with action-packed, suspenseful basketball sequences, crisp dialogue, sharply drawn characters, and keen insight into contemporary basketball culture in America, Drew's story illuminates the realities and choices facing gifted young athletes. Although Drew's talent is basketball, teens will discover in him a universal adolescent need for acceptance, friendship, independence, and self-respect.—Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham School of the Arts, NC
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780399252273
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 9/4/2012
  • Pages: 240
  • Sales rank: 32,011
  • Age range: 10 - 14 Years
  • Lexile: 850L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 6.32 (w) x 9.12 (h) x 1.06 (d)

Meet the Author

Mike Lupica

Mike Lupica lives in New Canaan, Connecticut, and is the host of The Mike Lupica Show on ESPN Radio.
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 29 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(26)

4 Star

(3)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

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1 Star

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 29 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 13, 2012

    Great Book!

    This is probably the best book I've read!! It's very inspiring and an amazing read. I'm 11 and I love basketball and this book just makes me wanna go out and play ball. I recommend this book to anybody, especially people who can relate to Drew (Like Me).

    13 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 23, 2012

    Best ever

    Cant say no to this book and i cant put the book dwn

    10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 10, 2012

    Cant wait

    I love all of his books im currently reading hero its my favorite book hes made so far

    8 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 17, 2012

    ?my fav book

    I love dis book

    7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 27, 2012

    Gooooooooood

    Mad good dude

    6 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 15, 2013

    True Legend by Mike Lupica

    I highly recommend this book to any reader who wants a book they will love and be intreged in from the koment you crack the book open! If you nt like the starting to abonded the book keep READING!!! I hope this helps and makes you want to read this book! :)

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 7, 2013

    Boss

    I really love all mike lupica books but this is clearly one of his best stories

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 13, 2013

    Best book

    I can relate to drew and all the pressure it was very good

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 30, 2012

    Good

    Good book

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 27, 2012

    Hi

    Hey I just met you! *Dun dun* And this is crraazzyy *Dun dun* But here's my number! So call me maybe!

    1 out of 18 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 10, 2013

    Txt me

    361 587 1518 im a girl

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 8, 2013

    Great

    Book

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 6, 2013

    Swaney

    Awsome book ive read all lupicas books so far cant wait to read qb #1!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 24, 2013

    Awsome!!

    "The book was awsome to read! It was vey intense and cool. I would recommend this book to anyone who really jas a heart dor basketball."

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 24, 2013

    Omg

    About 300 pages longest lupica !!!!!!!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 8, 2013

    Awesome

    Best book ever i love mike lupicas books

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 29, 2013

    AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    COMPTLEY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 28, 2013

    Great Fantastic Book

    This was a really good book and always want to keep reading. I am eleven years old who loves bball and don'loce to read until I read this and it made me want to read more books by Mike Lupica!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 23, 2013

    Ava caiati wrote this

    Mike lupica came to my school and i met him i got a autograph book from him i am a girl and I love the the mike lupica books i am 8 years old and i live in new york i go to guggenheim school in port washington

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 23, 2013

    Best Bj

    I can give u a bj if u want it so bad

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 29 Customer Reviews
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