Champion

In this stunningly illustrated graphic novel, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's life as a social justice advocate comes to life through the story of a high school student whose promising basketball career is in jeopardy. WINNER OF THE WALTER DEAN MYERS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S LITERATURE Monk Travers is the star basketball player on his high school team. Confident about his future as an NBA player, he doesn’t see the point in caring much about school, let alone his community. But his world is about to change—big time! After getting caught graffitiing his team's rival school, Monk comes to the awful realization that his actions have put his place on the team—and his future—in jeopardy. He’s taken by surprise when his coach offers him an unorthodox way to atone: completing a report on the life of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Monk is ecstatic. He knows all Kareem’s records and stats. He smugly announces that the project will be a snap, but his excitement is short-lived when Coach tells him that the project is not about Kareem’s basketball career—it’s about his life as an advocate for change. As Monk grudgingly begins his research, he discovers a history of struggles, conflicts, frustrations, and violence that he’d never been aware of, awakening a passion for social justice that rivals Kareem’s own. Authored by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar himself, alongside longtime collaborator Raymond Obstfeld, and vividly illustrated by artist Ed Laroche, Champion highlights and celebrates Kareem’s work for good like never before, inspiring fans of all ages.