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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The 'book' order doesn't really matter, so you can read them in any order. The official order is the best order I think, but you would be not be spoiled or anything if you decided to switch it up. If I were to read this again, I would try to read 1 chapter of each book, then the enxt chapter and so on. I think it would be a cool way to read it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. I mean, Wow. This physical book contained the same story from five different perspectives and it was an amazing ride. Anyone who reads this will be able to relate to one of the players and learn from Rolabi. I’ve been making a point of reading all of the books Kobe was a part of this year and this one taught me more than any of the others (even though those are great too. I am 24 years old and the lessons from that book as well as some of the things Rolabi says just slap you in the face with your own reality.
Kobe’s influence and experience is definitely apparent in this series, but Wesley King, BRAVO. I mean I just don’t know how to explain how eye opening this series is and how difficult it is to write about the same 10 days of events from five different points of view but still encapsulate the reader ENTIRELY. Chef’s Kiss tween writing.
Kobe’s influence and experience is definitely apparent in this series, but Wesley King, BRAVO. I mean I just don’t know how to explain how eye opening this series is and how difficult it is to write about the same 10 days of events from five different points of view but still encapsulate the reader ENTIRELY. Chef’s Kiss tween writing.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Training Camp" is a morbidly fascinating glimpse into Kobe Bryant's deranged egotism. The lavish, garish cover design can not disguise the utter lack of literary substance present in this monument to marketing hubris. Even if kids are taken in the by the concept, they just don't end up liking this book.
I love Harry Potter, and I love basketball, but "Training Camp" did not successfully synthesize these two elements. Like Peanut Butter and Mayo. YUCK.
I love Harry Potter, and I love basketball, but "Training Camp" did not successfully synthesize these two elements. Like Peanut Butter and Mayo. YUCK.
OK all I can say is WOW. What a fantastic read!! There is so much packed in here I don't know that I can adequately describe how I feel after reading this, but I will try...
This book is broken into five parts, each describing a main player's POV. You would think it would get boring or frustrating but that is not the case here. Each perspective brings you closer to the main characters and gets you emotionally involved. I was in tears during some parts of their stories.
Scattered throughout the story, and at the beginning of each chapter are Wizenard Proverbs such as:
"If you don't like being alone, you must learn to like yourself."
and
"There is always a deeper darkness. Find it, face it, and know the night will pass "
These quips are easy to apply to the daily grind of life and really make you look deep and reflect. I will be writing some of these down and taping them around.
Even though the core storyline revolves around basketball, this is a story anyone can enjoy. The main point I took away was that we, as humans, are so quick to judge others' lives. We think someone has it harder or easier when in fact we know nothing at all. If we LOOKED, we would see, and we would find that things are never what we think they are.
This book is broken into five parts, each describing a main player's POV. You would think it would get boring or frustrating but that is not the case here. Each perspective brings you closer to the main characters and gets you emotionally involved. I was in tears during some parts of their stories.
Scattered throughout the story, and at the beginning of each chapter are Wizenard Proverbs such as:
"If you don't like being alone, you must learn to like yourself."
and
"There is always a deeper darkness. Find it, face it, and know the night will pass "
These quips are easy to apply to the daily grind of life and really make you look deep and reflect. I will be writing some of these down and taping them around.
Even though the core storyline revolves around basketball, this is a story anyone can enjoy. The main point I took away was that we, as humans, are so quick to judge others' lives. We think someone has it harder or easier when in fact we know nothing at all. If we LOOKED, we would see, and we would find that things are never what we think they are.
"Never let your desire for more supersede your gratitude for any" - Wizenard Proverb
Imagine a mixture of the movies 'Coach Carter'(a movie on high school basketball starring Samuel Jackson and Channing Tatum) and 'Harry Potter'. That is exactly what Training Camp is. Sportsmanship has been emphasised a lot in PT classes in school and by various eminent sports personalities. But even some of the most professional players don't know what it means to be a sportsman/sportswoman. It all comes down to one person in your life: your coach.
Rolabi Wizenard, a man of mysteries, takes up the job of coaching a young basketball team 'The Badgers' which was based in a devastated and poor state called 'The Bottom'. The book is divided into five parts, each part retelling the same story but from the perspectives of Rain, Twig, Devon, Panyol and Lab, the kids who formed the heart and soul of the team. The main objective of the coach was to make them fearless and play the game that they were meant to play: the purest form of basketball.
I first started listening to this only after Kobe passed. It was such a gem and it showed everything that he was made of and wanted to give others. The book not only stresses on how to be a better player, but also how to be a better human. A mixture of fiction and motivation, it is much needed for every single person seeking to overcome their fears and bring out the best in themselves.
Highly recommended!!
Imagine a mixture of the movies 'Coach Carter'(a movie on high school basketball starring Samuel Jackson and Channing Tatum) and 'Harry Potter'. That is exactly what Training Camp is. Sportsmanship has been emphasised a lot in PT classes in school and by various eminent sports personalities. But even some of the most professional players don't know what it means to be a sportsman/sportswoman. It all comes down to one person in your life: your coach.
Rolabi Wizenard, a man of mysteries, takes up the job of coaching a young basketball team 'The Badgers' which was based in a devastated and poor state called 'The Bottom'. The book is divided into five parts, each part retelling the same story but from the perspectives of Rain, Twig, Devon, Panyol and Lab, the kids who formed the heart and soul of the team. The main objective of the coach was to make them fearless and play the game that they were meant to play: the purest form of basketball.
I first started listening to this only after Kobe passed. It was such a gem and it showed everything that he was made of and wanted to give others. The book not only stresses on how to be a better player, but also how to be a better human. A mixture of fiction and motivation, it is much needed for every single person seeking to overcome their fears and bring out the best in themselves.
Highly recommended!!
I'm DNF'ing this, but I don't know that means it isn't a good book. It's just really not for me. The writing is fine, and I can imagine the premise being of interest to basketball fans...but I really couldn't slog through it. And the prospect of 350 more pages (I got halfway through part 2) was awful. It seemed to have some great messages, but I also felt like I was being hit over the head with them (and I in turn wanted to hit the characters over the head). Plus - these kids are supposed to be like 12 and 13...and I kept forgetting that, and that was a weird issue for me (they seemed more like 17-18).
I also want to point out that this book is covered in VELVET. [Or something velvet-like]. Any public or school librarians out there will know why I'm pointing this out.
I also want to point out that this book is covered in VELVET. [Or something velvet-like]. Any public or school librarians out there will know why I'm pointing this out.
Mini-Review:
5 Stars for Narration by Phylicia Rashad (She was great!)
-2 Stars for Distraction Background Sound Effects/Soundtrack (Not Well Balanced)
4 Stars for Concepts
3 Stars for Characters
4 Star Rating for Children, 3 Star Rating for Adults
This is a children's book/series. It's not written for adults. I can see this story being really cool to little kids but it did not hold the same appeal to me. Cool concept of magic being used to train a young group of basketball players. They learn about themselves, teamwork and how to face their fears.
There were too many action sequences that was not interesting to listen to as an adult. However, I can see a group of 6-8 year olds being enthralled by the story & a good storyteller.
5 Stars for Narration by Phylicia Rashad (She was great!)
-2 Stars for Distraction Background Sound Effects/Soundtrack (Not Well Balanced)
4 Stars for Concepts
3 Stars for Characters
4 Star Rating for Children, 3 Star Rating for Adults
This is a children's book/series. It's not written for adults. I can see this story being really cool to little kids but it did not hold the same appeal to me. Cool concept of magic being used to train a young group of basketball players. They learn about themselves, teamwork and how to face their fears.
There were too many action sequences that was not interesting to listen to as an adult. However, I can see a group of 6-8 year olds being enthralled by the story & a good storyteller.
This is a good book. I recommend this to kids who like fantasy and sports together. I'm glad I took a chance on this book.