My Shot: Balancing It All and Standing Tall

Gr 7 Up--Elena Delle Donne is a six-foot, five WNBA star, and she's got a great back story and tells it with gusto. Born with natural talent, she learned at an early age to accept the fact that she was different. Basketball was a natural fit for the remarkably tall young girl. Always the perfectionist, she drove herself hard, and as a result, she started to suffer from burnout in her teens. She warily accepted a scholarship at the University of Connecticut, but she abruptly left, and in the course of many soul-searching walks in the woods, came down with Lyme disease, and the symptoms intermittingly forcing her to sit out. Yet she made a decision to trust her instincts and listen to her heart. This mind-set lead her to come back to the sport--this time, very much on her own terms. This upbeat autobiography follows Delle Donne through her many accomplishments. She stresses her personal motto, "Demand Excellence," that lead her to put in the hard work to achieve her goals. Additionally, she offers advice in a direct, accessible manner ("Being an adult is still hard when the going gets tough! Luckily, you can develop skills that will get you through your problems or setbacks."). VERDICT Sports-minded teens will devour this fast-paced narrative. Recommended for all school libraries.--Denise Kim, Bronx High School of Science, NY