I Promise by LeBron James
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I Promise (HarperCollins), written by basketball legend LeBron James, is an inspirational poem that tells a story of love, understanding, bravery and encouragement. It holds a message that’s so important for readers today, especially with the social movements sweeping our country right now. I Promise comes at just the right time to help teach the younger generation what it means to be compassionate, all while motivating them to strive for greatness in their own ways.
The colorful illustrations by Nina Mata (Ty’s Travels, A Readers’ Theater series) enhance the poem throughout, showing readers childlike examples of the characteristics being talked about. Young readers will connect to the story through pictures of children doing things that all children do daily, a familiarity that helps them to understand the book’s message even more readily. My favorite part of the book is how diverse the characters are; almost every culture is represented, showcasing a beautiful and diverse population.
The story is beautifully written in a lyrical format that almost feels like you are being sung to. A poem by LeBron James cannot be complete without basketball references throughout, connecting the sport to daily life. Any child who is a basketball fan will love this aspect of the story and illustrations. The references are subtle but are a cute catch to the poem.
Dedicated to Akron, Ohio, LeBron’s hometown, it is his message to them (and the school that he has built for at-risk youth) to always strive for greatness and have love and compassion in your heart.
This is a perfect back-to-school book to read to students. Beginning and young readers will be able to read this book and understand its important messages, but it would also make an ideal mentor text for teachers of older grades to inspire students in the classroom. Readers of all ages will learn more about compassion, kindness and acceptance, and walk away after reading with a fuller heart, ready for greatness.
