Believe: The Victorious Story of Eric LeGrand

Gr 6 Up—LeGrand relates events that might be considered tragic, but his story is inspirational. From his days as a restless kid who dreamed of playing in the big leagues, through to his high school days, he was a notable all-around athlete. The Rutgers University football coach courted him when he was just a high school freshman. His athleticism attracted the attention of scouts from major division schools throughout the country, and he received 50 to 100 recruitment letters every day. Only his grades fumbled, but the young man was determined. With the support of a tutor, he pulled his grades and SAT scores out of the dumps. With the endorsement of Rutgers coach Greg Shiano, he pursued his goal and became a part of the team. And then during a pivotal play in his junior year, the dream ended. LeGrand dove for a tackle, his helmet collided with the collarbone of another player, and his spinal cord absorbed the full impact. He broke his neck and crushed two vertebrae. Despite how broken his body was, his spirit hardly wavered. He describes two years of a changed life, daily intensive rehab therapy, and his new goal: walking. Football fans will welcome the detailed descriptions of LeGrand's time on the field. With faith and perseverance, he continues to push himself beyond overwhelming odds.—Alison Follos, formerly at North Country School, Lake Placid, NY