Magic Johnson: Champion With a Cause (ACHIEVERS)

Greenberg, Keith Elliot

ISBN 10: 0822505460 ISBN 13: 9780822505464

Publisher: Lerner Pub Group, 1992

Synopsis

Profiles the life and career of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the talented guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, three-time most valuable player in the National Basketball Association, and discusses his efforts to deal with the AIDS virus

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- Greenberg presents the standard and well-documented details of Johnson's athletic career sandwiched between chapters on how he's dealing with his affliction. While breaking no new ground, the book directly addresses how the the star athlete believes he contracted the AIDS virus and discusses the message he wants to deliver to the public about being at risk. There is no attempt to offer a scientific explanation of HIV or AIDS. While not sloppy in its praise for Johnson, the author uses the term ``hero'' in describing the way he has faced his physical condition. Average-quality black-and-white photographs appear on almost every page. A page of Johnson's college and professional basketball statistics and career highlights is appended. An adequate update to Jim Haskins's Sports Great Magic Johnson (Enslow, 1989). --Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

This is a stimulating, reliable example of cogent sports biography for children. While touching on Johnson's childhood, high school and college experiences, Greenberg's work remains a basic recap of one man's astonishing career in basketball. Characterized by an active, play-by-play immediacy, the book is liberally sprinkled with quotes from the national sports pages, generously laced with fan-pleasing statistics, and complemented by well-placed black-and-white file photos throughout. The biographical matter is framed by an opening chapter, "Hero," that describes last fall's press conference at which the athlete went public with news of his HIV infection. The final chapter, "Looking Ahead," tells of Johnson's new role as a candid and forthright spokesperson for the importance of safer sex and/or sexual abstinence. Ages 9-14.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lerner Pub Group
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0822505460
• ISBN 13: 9780822505464
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 64