#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. In this age of street agents promising riches to kids barely out of elementary school and college programs being taken down because of recruiting violations, True Legend is a resonant and inspiring novel in the Lupica tradition. ***"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 “Lupica scores another winner with this cautionary tale. . . . 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.” —School Library Journal "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
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"True Legend was a great book in my opinion, like all the other Mike Lupica books I've read. I like these kinds of books, so that plays a part, but it also shows how complicated things are when everyone knows you and has high expectations of someone. Drew Robinson, the main character in the book, is the man of high school basketball. He knows he will make it to the NBA, and everyone does. He has a multimillionaire friend, and he gets him whatever he wants. Drew even gets chauffeured to wherever he wants. But when he gets in trouble after crashing a car, Drew's best friend Lee Atkins takes the blame. Drew finally realizes he has to do things on his own now and be a man. With a blend of school, basketball, and playground legends, this book is great for anyone who loves basketball and seeing what it's like being famous."
— 7703Emil (5 out of 5 stars)
“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“The clear message here is that young athletes should not let fame go to their heads…A solid mix of character-driven realism and basketball action.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Read my review at Let's Talk Books "
— Terrie, 2/17/2014" Good sports novel about what it means to be a basketball star. Will recommend it to my fans of basketball books. "
— Toni, 2/9/2014" I love this book!! One of the best books Mike Lupica has written yet!!!! "
— Jordyn, 1/29/2014" True Legend is story for all basketball athletes that inspires them to be a great player or person. In this book you learn about how True Robinson is young born to play basketball athlete. True is a young 14 year old boy who is a cool, talented, kid. Drew [True is his nickname] in this book faces hard games, cute girl problem, and kept secret about people. I will recommend this book to people who play basketball, have a hard times in school, and who are teen's or pre-teens. Anybody who reads this book will enjoy it. "
— RICH1, 1/27/2014" Reeeaallly gooood! "
— Colton, 1/17/2014" Great book broo. "
— Shanti, 1/3/2014" I think it awesome, because it about basketball and I like basketball. It was about a high student playing basketball and he thought he was better than everybody else "
— Jake, 12/25/2013" It was amazing its my all time favorite book. "
— James, 12/11/2013" It was good for people that like sports books "
— Adam, 11/20/2013" It was an aventure of a life time "
— Kurt, 9/24/2013" Drew Robinson, aka True is a basketball phenom. He knows the game and where it can take him, but does he know who he truly is and what he really wants. Luckily, a couple of new friends and a washed up former superstar help him find his way. "
— Lisa, 9/8/2013" Best basketball book ever!!!!! "
— Alex, 7/31/2013" it was really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really gooooooooooooood!!!!!! "
— Zach, 7/28/2013" Oh my gosh!! this book is a true legend. "
— Treyson, 6/20/2013" Geart book good story and awsome ending. "
— tsukune96, 2/25/2013" it was good- "
— Zach, 12/13/2012" Juvenile about a basketball player. Not terribly believable.Tthe protagonist straightens out too fast and it doesn't take enough work. If teen sports books are your cup of tea, it's probably middle of the road, maybe a cut above. "
— Anthony, 12/1/2012" Good book! Felt as if I knew Drew, Lee, Callie, and Mr. Shockey. Mike Lupica describes basketball games so adeptly that I felt as if I were a fan in the stands. For a player, it might feel as if you're playing ball as you read. "
— ElaBrainBump, 9/17/2012Mike Lupica is a New York Times bestselling author and a veteran sports columnist who spent most of his career with the New York Daily News. For three decades, he was a panelist on ESPN’s The Sports Reporters. He is now a member of the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame.
Prentice Onayemi is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator and a voice and film actor who is known for his roles in The Steam-Room Crooner, AmeriQua, and as Joey in the Tony Award–winning play War Horse.