Must-read for anyone who works with kids

Let's start by recognizing that this is not great literature, nor is it a "football book". It IS a personal account of a young man determined to succeed in spite of his circumstances, and how he went about acheiving his goals. Without being in any way exploitative, Michael Oher does not pull punches in describing life with his birth family and in the foster care system. Throughout, he balances the negative experiences with stories of love, family loyalty, and people who went out of their way to help. He shows us that love and caring transcend race and socio-economic status.

The assumption is that the reader/listener has seen the movie The Blind Side, and I was glad to have already listened to the Tuohys' book, In a Heartbeat. This book doesn't criticize either, but it corrects some things from the first and fills in some gaps from the second. The focus is on convincing young people that they have options, that they can "make it", and encouraging them to make good choices to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.

The final section, with excerpts from letters to Michael and a list of some resources available to help at-risk kids, is better suited to print than audio; still, it gives the listener a start on ways to get involved in helping other kids beat the odds.

14 people found this helpful

Not the Blind Side

I loved The Blind Side book, this wasn't it. I was so intrigued by his story, but at times I felt he seemed arrogant and such a sense of entitlement. My favorite parts were the stories of his brothers and sisters, the loved they share is amazing and would love to hear more.

5 people found this helpful

Even better than "The Blind Side"

What did you love best about I Beat the Odds?

I recommend this to anyone who works with kids/teens, especially those straying off the right path. A good intro may be to show the Blind Side in class (or your organization) and assign this as a reading or audio assignment. Very powerful, I predict Michael Oher will even go beyond the fame of professional football. He's quite introspective and articulate, he knows firsthand the challenges faced by many youth who don't have many positive role models. The first 3/4 of the book leads up to where the Blind Side story picks up. Enjoy and be motivated.

3 people found this helpful

I love Michael Oher.

Any additional comments?

I love Michael. His life is proof that when opportunity knocks, it is up to us to answer the door.

Most of us have some type of awful event in our lives, from our genes to our relationships, but we must overcome the pressures to remain in the continuous cycle. I love good role models in sports, they just don't get as much press as the bad boys/girls, so finding someone like Michael is my chance to cheer.

Michael is a great role model. I think everyone can learn something from this book. The small part to learn is how Hollywood rewrites "true" stories, the big part to learn is how to make a difference in life.

4 people found this helpful

Must Read!

Any additional comments?

Just a really good, interesting book. Explains so much about the movie, his journey, his ambitions and inside the foster care system, the good, the bad and the ugly.

1 person found this helpful

Michael proves he is a well educated professional

This is a well written story of Michael Oher's life. You can tell he truly wants to reach those kids out there who need inspiration and guidance. He proves he's not a typical high maintenance athlete who is chasing the money but a well educated professional who wants to give back.

1 person found this helpful

"Blind Side" The real story!

Would you listen to I Beat the Odds again? Why?

Yes,
Compelling, honest, compassionate and inspiring.

What does Michael Boatman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It feels like Michael Oher is actually telling you his story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I beat the odds . . . from zero to hero!

1 person found this helpful

Behind The Blindside

great book to learn about things not mentioned in the movie. michael oher is great!

Worth Reading - The Real Story

I’m so glad I read this book! I loved the movie but had heard there were some inaccuracies that bothered Michael Oher. I enjoyed learning the real story and especially learning more about the real Michael Oher. His work ethic, determination, and grit were inspiring and his message is so important! This book is a must read!

another awesome read

This angle of the book is more inspiring than the movie; will definitely start volunteering