A parent should reach for this book when their child is feeling defeated by a challenge, whether on the sports field, at school, or in their social life. "Rising Above" is a collection of ten short biographies of famous athletes like Stephen Curry, Carli Lloyd, and LeBron James, focusing specifically on the significant obstacles they faced as kids. These stories highlight themes of resilience, perseverance, and the power of believing in yourself even when others don't. For ages 8-14, this nonfiction book is a powerful tool to show children that struggle is a normal, and often necessary, part of the journey to success, making it an excellent motivator for any child needing a boost of confidence.
The book deals directly with a range of sensitive topics including physical disability (Tim Howard’s Tourette's Syndrome), chronic illness (Lionel Messi's growth hormone deficiency), extreme poverty, parental abandonment, and bullying. The approach is factual, direct, and secular, focusing on the psychological and practical steps the individuals took to succeed. The resolution for every story is hopeful, as each subject becomes a celebrated professional athlete, reinforcing a message of triumph through perseverance.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a child aged 9 to 13, particularly one who is passionate about sports but is currently experiencing a crisis of confidence. This could be a child who was cut from a team, feels they are too small or slow, is being bullied, or is struggling with a learning or physical difference that makes them feel inadequate. They need concrete, real-world examples to see that their current struggles do not define their future potential.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, as each story is self-contained and clearly explained. However, a parent could enhance the experience by pre-reading a chapter that speaks directly to their child's situation (e.g., Stephen Curry's chapter for a child told they're too small). A quick search to watch a highlight clip of the featured athlete in action can also add powerful context to their story of struggle. The trigger moment for a parent is hearing their child say something like, "I'm just not good enough," "I'll never be as good as them," or "I should just quit." The parent has witnessed their child’s passion turn into a source of pain and discouragement due to a setback or perceived limitation.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-10) will primarily absorb the straightforward message: work hard and you can overcome anything. They'll enjoy the exciting sports context and the simple hero's journey. An older reader (11-14) will appreciate the more nuanced psychological aspects: the importance of a growth mindset, the role of support systems, the techniques for managing anxiety, and the social context of challenges like poverty and discrimination.
What Makes It Special
Unlike standard sports biographies that often present a polished, linear path to fame, this book's unique power is its laser focus on the messy, difficult, and vulnerable moments of youth. By showing these icons as kids who struggled with relatable problems, it makes their success feel attainable rather than superhuman. The anthology format allows a child to find a story that mirrors their own, providing a personalized and potent dose of inspiration.
Read plot summary
This book presents ten concise biographies of world-renowned athletes, including Tim Howard, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Carli Lloyd. Each chapter is dedicated to one athlete, but rather than covering their entire life, it zeroes in on a specific, significant challenge from their youth. The struggles covered range from poverty and family instability to physical limitations, bullying, and debilitating self-doubt. The narrative follows each athlete as they confront, manage, and ultimately overcome their personal adversity on the path to stardom.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In Stephen Curry's story, coaches and scouts constantly told him he was too small to succeed. What did he do to turn this 'weakness' into a strength?
2
Tim Howard learned to see his Tourette's Syndrome not just as a challenge, but as something that helped him on the soccer field. How can a challenge in one area of life become a strength in another?
3
Many of the athletes had a key person (a parent, coach, or sibling) who believed in them. Choose one athlete and discuss how that person's support made a difference.
4
The athletes in the book faced different kinds of challenges: physical (like size), financial (poverty), and social (bullying). Which type of challenge do you think would be the hardest to overcome, and why?
5
After reading these stories, how has your idea of what it means to be a 'star athlete' changed?
