Kirkus:
Hulking NFL tackle and subject of the film The Blind Side (2009) blends practical advice with autobiography in this intimate ghetto-survival guide.With the help of former Sports Illustrated associate editor Yeager (co-author, with John Wooden: A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring, 2009, etc.), Oher tells his often-compelling Horatio Alger story sans the entertainment-industry embellishment of the Hollywood version of his life in The Blind Side, first a book by Michael Lewis, then a popular movie. Oher's young life was shaped by an intense love for sports, especially basketball and football, but also profoundly affected by the netherworld of the ghettoes in Memphis. The author writes about having to cope with an absentee father and an undependable, crack-smoking mother, and about his time bouncing around the foster-care system and supporting himself through petty theft. Eventually, he made decent money selling newspapers on street corners. His major first steps out of the ghetto came in high school, when, despite early trouble with academics, Oher was accepted to the reputable private school Briarcrest. However, his intermittent homelessness didn't officially end until local Good Samaritan Leigh Ann Tuohy offered him the closest thing to a permanent residence he'd ever had. Tuohy's guardianship served as a launching pad for Oher's successful high-school athletic career, which led to a scholarship with the University of Mississippi and to an eventual first-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens. The book is strongest when Oher conveys his hard-won wisdom through specific examples and anecdotes from his life. When he dispenses more generalized advice, the narrative reads like a generic public-service announcement.Often preachy, but Oher scores points with good intentions and an unrelentingly positive message.(Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2011)
Community Reviews:
Personal Review
This book by Michael Oher is about how he grew up in the ghetto of Memphis, Tennessee. His parents weren't really involved in his life. It tells the stories of him when he was growing up with his 11 brothers and sisters. They were always looking for food and a place to stay. His mother was a crack addict. The book tells how his life turned around for the better. Once you start this book, it's extremely hard to put down. If you have any interest in sports, it is a very heart-warming story. Even if you aren't interested in sports, you can relate to the relationships in the book.
There are many characters in this book. Although, they aren't really characters because it's a true story. Michael Oher is the base of the book. It's all about his life and how he got to where he is today. His mother is Denise Oher. She had 12 kids and was addicted to crack. She couldn't support her kids, so they all ended up in different places. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy ended up being his legal guardians. They find out about Michael through their own two children who are his classmates. Their kids are Collins and Sean Jr. Another important character in the book is Miss Sue. She was Michael's tutor throughout high school and he would definitely not be where he is today without her.
The book goes into great detail about the events that happened in Michael's life. It shows how he ended up in a stable home and how football changed his life. He was surrounded by great people in the end. The book is mostly in order from his first memory, growing up, meeting new people, finding a family, and where he is today. In the end, the book really makes you think about how far Michael came in life.
I liked almost everything about the book. It was a great story and it really connects to the reader. I loved how you get to know the real story behing 'The Blind Side'. I play sports, so I could definitely relate to Michael when sports took over his life. My favorite part of the book was the first few chapters because it really puts Michael's life in perspective to how bad he really had it. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that Michael didn't really know the dates of anything when he was growing up, so it's kind of difficult to put the events in order in your head. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. Even if you don't like sports, it tells a great story about life and relationships with family.
There are many characters in this book. Although, they aren't really characters because it's a true story. Michael Oher is the base of the book. It's all about his life and how he got to where he is today. His mother is Denise Oher. She had 12 kids and was addicted to crack. She couldn't support her kids, so they all ended up in different places. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy ended up being his legal guardians. They find out about Michael through their own two children who are his classmates. Their kids are Collins and Sean Jr. Another important character in the book is Miss Sue. She was Michael's tutor throughout high school and he would definitely not be where he is today without her.
The book goes into great detail about the events that happened in Michael's life. It shows how he ended up in a stable home and how football changed his life. He was surrounded by great people in the end. The book is mostly in order from his first memory, growing up, meeting new people, finding a family, and where he is today. In the end, the book really makes you think about how far Michael came in life.
I liked almost everything about the book. It was a great story and it really connects to the reader. I loved how you get to know the real story behing 'The Blind Side'. I play sports, so I could definitely relate to Michael when sports took over his life. My favorite part of the book was the first few chapters because it really puts Michael's life in perspective to how bad he really had it. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that Michael didn't really know the dates of anything when he was growing up, so it's kind of difficult to put the events in order in your head. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. Even if you don't like sports, it tells a great story about life and relationships with family.