The Wizenard Series: Training Camp (The Wizenard Series, 1)
A People Kid Pick of the week
From the mind of basketball legend and Academy Award–winning storyteller Kobe Bryant comes this radically original portrait of five young basketball players, one enlightening coach, and the awesome transformative power of the game. Filled with insights about the mental stamina and emotional clarity that peak performance requires, this is an indispensable story for young athletes, coaches, educators, and anyone interested in the astonishing potential of team sports to unlock individual growth.
THE GAME WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
Magic doesn’t seem possible for the West Bottom Badgers. They’re the lowest-ranked basketball team in their league, and they live in the poorest neighborhood in Dren. Nobody expects them to succeed at anything. Plus, every kid on the team has secret struggles of his own.
When a new coach named Professor Wizenard arrives on the first day of training camp, the Badgers can’t explain the magical-seeming things they see and hear. Every player experiences unique and strange visions―visions that challenge everything they thought they knew about basketball, and about their lives and their secrets off the court. To survive the increasingly intense ordeals of training, the Badgers will need to take unimaginable risks, learn to trust their teammates, and confront the darkness within themselves.
Reviews (322)
Kobe Bryant/Take note
Was VERY HAPPY to receive this book - I purchased this for my 12 yr old grandson who is very into Harry Potter, wizards, basketball and a avid reader...The book itself is beautifully designed...BUT there are some flaws I think should be looked into.....the suede or velvet outside cover, is nice looking, but when packed into padded envelope it was not wrapped to protect it, thus the velvet, suede was ripped in one place and the corners of the book were worn.....of the suede,velvet.. the binding of the book was very LOOSE not stable.....I know these things may not be important to everyone but, if you are 12 yrs old and would like this series to become one of your collectibles it will not stand up...the ribbon bookmark is a GREAT additional and the set up of the chapters are very eye catching... I know my grandson will love this book and will past it on to his twin sister, another basketball lover, when he is finished reading awaiting second book. I purchased this book after seeing Kobe Bryant on television speaking about it...and immediately pre ordered knowing if he was involved it would be good.....Content is EXCELLENT!!!
Inspirational book for kids and adults
Awsome book to read. Me and my daughter are reading it together. Great content I highly recommend it. I don’t rate this book based on its outside materials but the content inside ;)
Possibly too confusing for young readers
I read several reviews before purchasing this book. In most cases the reviewers started out by saying “ they just started reading this book” I would be curious to know what they thought of the book if they finished reading it. I ppurchased two copies for my ten year old basketball fanatic grandsons. I found they started reading the books and soon gave up. So, I read the book to see what I thought. It was confusing even for an adult. Too many totally random magical happenings to suit me or logic. The book would have been much better without so many absurd happenings orchestrated by the magical coach.
Great Book with Positive Messages for Kids!
Just got my book in yesterday with the pre-order and I was SO impressed. The book itself is awesome - velvet cover, red ribbon to hold your page, nice illustrations. Started reading last night and I'm already hooked - the story is about the team: all the individual personalities and how they work together to become a team (plus action, adventure, basketball and magic along the way).
Wizarding + Basketball = Perfect Book for Boys!
I heard Kobe Bryant describe this book as "if Harry Potter and the Olympics had a baby," and Jimmy Fallon described it as a combination of Harry Potter and basketball. For boys who love Harry Potter and sports, this book is a slam dunk (no pun intended). Our son loves the book and has already told my husband (his basketball coach) that he needs to read it. By retelling the story from 5 points of view, the book serves as a useful tool in our discussions with our son about various points of view, empathy, etc. The story is also entertaining. I hope they publish more books soon.
Sports Lessons for Life 💜
I am an avid reader, a secondary school math teacher, and a sports fan. First, I covered the book old school style by making a book cover from a paper bag. Then, I jumped in. The book is the first in a series, and we are being introduced to the characters by living training camp from each players point of view. I love the lessons about perspective, compassion for one another, and judgement. We all make judgements about one another based on what we see. We don’t always know where that person is coming from; their history, motivation, hurts, fears, etc. I’ve given the book to a friend who coaches at my school and will give this book as a gift to friends and family for the holidays. Just remember, if now is not the time for you to read the book, it’s ok. It took me 3 years and numerous starts to read The Shack. But, when I finally got through the first chapter, I enjoyed the book. Training Camp I read in 4 days over spring break. It was an easy read and I loved the characters. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Exquisite Book
This is one of the best books I've read. I'm a 4th-6th grade basketball coach. I relate to this book so well I wish I was professor wizenard! Kobe did an out of this world job telling this story, the author writes well. Very descriptive and entertaining. I read once but will read again for sure. My 11yr old son loves it as well. I coach him and he won't listen to me but hears professor loud and clear through text on a page. BUY NOW! Not to mention the weight and texture of the cover and pages, really great work Kobe!
Creatively Inspirational
Kobe Bryant is a creative genius! With the help of his writer and creative concepts, this book for a 29 year old me was just what I was looking. The different perspectives and life lessons each fictitious basketball player had brought the book to life. The Wizenard proverbs at the top of each chapter of the book inspired me, but some Wizenard proverbs were interwoven through what the professor taught as a coach. I recommend this to anyone who just loves the game of basketball and any youth or student who plays the game today!
Really pulls you in
Love it so far
Great life lessons
I am a 73 year old women and I reviewed the book to see if I thought it would be appropriate for an 11 year old boy. I loved it for him and I loved it for me. I was very impressed with the life lessons the wizard taught the team. I will be reading any future books.
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