When you hear the name LeBron James, you probably think of chase-down blocks, four NBA rings, or maybe the never-ending GOAT debate. You don't necessarily think of middle-grade fiction. But back in 2021, LeBron teamed up with acclaimed author Andrea Williams to release We Are Family, a novel that hit the New York Times bestseller list and shifted the conversation about what "King James" is doing off the court.
Honestly, it's not just a celebrity vanity project.
The book isn't some glossy autobiography or a collection of "be like me" platitudes. It’s a 256-page dive into the lives of five kids in Ohio—Jayden, Tamika, Chris, Anthony, and Dex. They aren't superstars. They're middle schoolers trying to navigate poverty, family expectations, and the crushing news that their beloved after-school basketball program, the "Hoop Group," is getting canceled.
What We Are Family LeBron James Gets Right About Being a Kid
Most sports books for kids are about the "big game." You know the trope: the underdog hits a buzzer-beater, everyone cheers, roll credits.
We Are Family LeBron James takes a different path. It spends as much time on the characters' home lives as it does on the hardwood. You've got Jayden Carr, who is basically the heart of the story. He's twelve years old, living in a cramped house where his mom has to sleep on a tiny loveseat. He feels the weight of his family’s financial struggle. For him, basketball isn't just a hobby; it’s the only visible exit sign.
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Then there’s Tamika Beck. She’s the daughter of the coach, and she’s a phenom. But she’s a girl in a system that hasn't always welcomed girls. Her dad is battling Parkinson’s disease, which is the real reason the Hoop Group is falling apart. It’s heavy stuff for a "children's book," but that's why it resonates. It feels real.
The Five Friends You'll Meet
The narrative structure is pretty cool because it rotates perspectives. You get to see the world through different lenses:
- Jayden: The talented one carrying the weight of the world.
- Tamika: The trailblazer fighting gender norms and her father's illness.
- Anthony: The tall kid everyone expects to love ball, even though he's looking for something else.
- Chris: The nephew of an NBA star who feels he can never live up to the name.
- Dex: The 4’6” powerhouse who just wants a place to belong.
The Akron Connection and Real-Life Inspiration
LeBron didn't just pick Ohio as a setting because it's his home. He built this story out of the DNA of his I PROMISE School. If you look at the themes in the book—perseverance, community, and the idea that "nothing is impossible"—they mirror the "I PROMISE" philosophy exactly.
Andrea Williams, the co-author, brings a sharp journalistic eye to the prose. She’s a powerhouse writer who has covered the Negro Leagues and social issues, and you can feel that depth here. The dialogue doesn't sound like a 36-year-old NBA millionaire trying to "talk like the youth." It sounds like actual kids in a gym.
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One of the most authentic parts of the book is how it handles the "Hoop Group" itself. It’s a free program. For kids in neighborhoods like the one Jayden lives in, "free" is the difference between playing and staying home. When the program is threatened, it’s not just about losing a sport; it’s about losing a safe haven.
Why This Book Still Matters in 2026
We’re a few years out from the initial release now, but the book has stayed relevant in classrooms and libraries. Why? Because it tackles the "burden of potential."
In the social media age, kids feel like they have to be "the next" something by the time they're thirteen. We Are Family LeBron James argues that you don't have to have it all figured out. It shows that even if the "system" fails you—like the school canceling the program—you can still scrap together your own future if you have a squad behind you.
There’s a specific scene where Jayden almost quits. He takes a job at a pizza shop to help his mom with bills. It’s a heartbreaking moment of a kid being forced to grow up too fast. But his friends don't let him stay gone. They show up. That's the "family" part of the title. It’s not about blood; it’s about the people who won’t let you give up on yourself.
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Practical Takeaways for Young Readers (and Parents)
If you're picking this up for a middle-schooler, or if you're a teacher looking for a classroom read, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Talk about the setbacks. The book is a great conversation starter about what to do when something you love is taken away.
- Look at the gender dynamics. Tamika’s struggle to be taken seriously as a female hooper is a great way to discuss equality in sports.
- Identify the "Support System." Ask the reader who their "Hoop Group" is. Who are the people they turn to when things get tough?
The book ends on a note of resolve rather than a "happily ever after" where all their problems vanish. Jayden’s mom is still struggling. The coach is still sick. But the kids are different. They've learned that they have agency.
To really dive into the world LeBron and Andrea created, start by looking at the real-life LeBron James Family Foundation work. Seeing the "I PROMISE" students in Akron provides the perfect context for why this story was written. It’s not just a book; it’s a mission statement.
Grab a copy, read it with a young athlete in your life, and use it to talk about the stuff that happens after the whistle blows. It’s a solid reminder that while talent might get you on the court, it’s the community you build that keeps you there.