Shaq Uncut

Shaq Uncut gives readers an insight into his life since he was a child, up until his retirement from the NBA. Shaq Uncut was written by Shaquille with the assistive help of ESPN analyst Jackie Macmullan. The autobiography takes the readers back to Shaquille’s infant years and explores Shaq’s rough upbringing. The book describes the impact of Shaq’s biological father not being present, and how it affected him later on in his life. The book goes on to tell the story of Shaq’s stepfather in the crucial impact he had on Shaq’s upbringing, and it also gives an insight into how Shaquille received his discipline. The autobiography goes on to analyze Shaq’s High School dominance and his eventual college decision and the controversy that surrounded it. The book goes on to explore Shaq’s 3-year tenure at Louisiana State University and the struggles he faced while he attended the school. Shaq’s decision to forgo his senior year of college to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, Is well documented by the book. The book goes on to explore the draft and his eventual arrival to Orlando. Shaq Would go to win the rookie of the year(An award given to the most outstanding 1st Year player annually.)He would also go on to have one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of the NBA. Shaq’s next few years in Orlando were a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The book goes on to explain Shaquille's departure from Orlando and the dramatic process that preceded it. The book explores Shaq's 8 Year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and his dynamic relationship with the late great Kobe Bryant. At the time Shaq arrived at the Lakers Kobe was just a 17-year-old rookie who was unproven. The book goes on to explain how He and Shaq would develop together and create the greatest dynamic duo in the league’s history. The duo of Shaq and Kobe would go on to win 3 consecutive titles in 2000,2001 and 2002. Even after the duo split in 2004, Shaquille had good words to say about his former Teammate. “Everything Kobe is doing now, he told me back then he was going to do.… ‘I’m going to be the Will Smith of the NBA’’ (Oneal,248). Shaq would go on to retire in 2011, after creating a lasting legacy through not only his dominant play but also through his larger than life persona, and this book does an excellent job of illustrating that. 

I enjoyed this autobiography because it gives me a background look into Shaq's life and his thought process during those important moments in his life. The book also gives newfound information, that previous to this book was unknown. The target audience for this book would be basketball fans or fans of sports in general. I Believe any fan of basketball fans of Shaq would thoroughly enjoy this autobiography, because it gives us readers an inside look in Shaquille's mind throughout his personal life, and playing career.  This is the book that any Shaq fan has been longing for. If you are a true basketball fan, this is the book for you. This book gives background to key moments in NBA History, such as the Lakers 3 peat and Shaq's arrival to the league. 

In conclusion, Shaq uncut is the perfect uncensored, unfiltered and uncondensed autobiography for any basketball fan. This book gives readers an in-depth look at Shaq's personal life as well as his iconic playing career.

Book Review by Quamere J.

Dear Martin

Dear Martin, A novel written by Author Nic Stone. She's known for other great books like odd one out, jackpot and clean getaway, she writes books for Teens. Dear Martin is about a 17 year old boy named Justyce McAllister we’ll just call him Jus. Jus was a senior in highschool but he wasn’t like most kids in his neighborhood of Atlanta Georgia Jus found a way to cut all the negative things out from around his life like drugs and   gangs and got a full ride scholarship to an Ivy league school. 

           

Life in Atlanta wasn’t so easy for Jus, yeah he went to really fancy school and had friends, but he never felt like he fit in. Justyce wrote letters to Dr Martin Luther King sometimes asking for help, or just telling him about his day or what he just went through. Jus couldn't figure out why people looked at him and treated him differently because of his skin even some of his so called friends. Throughout the book Jus was figuring out how to deal with racism and discrimination in a time where racism is completely outlawed, like when Jus got arrested for try to help his drunk girlfriend get home and a Police Officer profiled him as threat and humiliated, assaulted and arrested Justcye. The theme of the book is “Follow your heart, not your head”, Jus realizes that any situation he gets into like participating in a crime or choosing the right girl regardless of what your mom thinks you need to follow your heart. 

I Liked this book because it was very relatable and real and even had parts that could make you laugh and cry. I recommend this book for any teen who feel like an outsider or anyone who wants a taste of what the real world is actually like.

Book Review by Teddy F.

Long Way Down

Long Way Down was written by Jason Reynolds. One thing about his book is the way he wrote it. The way he wrote it you can read this book in an hour but it has so much detail and you understand each single word. Long Way Down is like a suspense book and the theme is violence and also revenge.

Long Way Down takes place in a hood where crime is an everyday thing. One day Will and Shawn were at the park and something went down and Will is trying to get revenge on whatever went down. Will goes through some stuff on getting his revenge and a lot of conflicts with a lot of characters throughout the book. One of my favorite textes in this book is “NO. 1:SCREAMING” this is my favorite because he starts explaining the rules that they have in his neighborhood.

I love this book it’s really fast paced and and I understand each and every word. I can say this book is written for people that had past family members killed also all types of readers. This is a type of book all readers would love. You should chose this book really easy and interesting.

Book Review by Jose T.G.

The Bully

The Bully is written by Paul Langan. This book is a coming of age story and overcoming your fears as you read through the story you will follow the main character Darrell as his life changes in very big ways.

The story is about a boy from Philadelphia, named Darrell Mercer, that makes a huge move across the US to California starting at a new school with a new bully that Darrell has to face without having anybody that he had back in Philadelphia. 

The stories overcoming narrative is very compelling one huge quote that stood out to me while I was reading was “A man’s gotta stand up when someone else is in trouble, even if it means he might get himself into trouble.” that line really stood out to me because as much as it related to the character and what he was going through I know I’ve been in situations where that has happened and it is really awesome that I can really relate to the story in a different way. 

I believe that a lot of people can relate to the character if not maybe even learn from that character to overcome your fears and to not allow people to walk all over you. If you're looking for an underdog story that relates to a lot in the world and something you can learn from I’d recommend The Bully for you.

Book Review by Adrian S.

The Skin I'm In

The book I am reading is called The Skin I’m In by Sharon G.Flake. This book is realistic fiction and young adult literature. She also wrote Money Hungry, Begging For Change, Who Am I Without Him? Even though her books are fiction she is able to provide a setting plot,conflict and ect… to make her books the same realistic and real life problems and solutions.

           

This book is about Maleeka, who is in seventh grade who grows up without a dad, and she gets picked on by others and bullied everyday. She also is betrayed by people she thought were her friends. A new teacher, Miss.Saunders comes along at school and she gets picked on by kids and adults because of a big scar on her face. Miss.Saunders helps Maleeka along the way find her one true identity.  

This book was my favorite one out of all the books Sharon G. Flake has written, I could relate to the main character Maleeka. If you ever been bullied or treated differently for having a darker skin complexion, and being made fun of the clothes you wear, or even looking certain way than others, this book would be a great book for you to read and you won’t regret reading it.

Book Review by Irene H.

Riot

The book I chose is called Riot and it was written by Walter Dean Myers. Myers has written some very good stories; his most popular book is called Monster which has won multiple awards. He mainly published his books in the late 1900’s and in the early 2000’s. This book takes place during the Civil War and it is historical fiction. 

This is a story that takes place in New York City; the main characters are Claire and Priscilla. Claire's mother is an Irish woman and her father is a black man. Conflict arises when rioters start attacking black people and looting black owned stores. Most people don’t know that Claire is even part black, but a girl named Maeve finds out that she is part black and from then on considers her an enemy and hates her just because of her ethnicity.

I do like the storyline of the book and the plot but, the way the book is written is somewhat confusing due to the fact of it being in dialogue. Furthermore I think this book was written for an adult audience, I do believe most people would enjoy this book just purely based on how the book moves along with its story. I would strongly recommend anyone and everyone to pick up this book because it tells of a time in history when our country was more divided than ever.

Book Review by Luke N.