Publishers Weekly
04/19/2021
In 31 intimate, accessibly voiced if transition-lacking chapters, Las Vegas Aces guard Ta’Shauna “Sugar” Rodgers recounts her life, from her youth “surrounded by drugs and violence” in Suffolk, Va., to her current career with the Women’s National Basketball Association. Born in 1989 to Barbara Mae “Bob Mae” Rodgers, the beloved “best candy lady on the block,” Sugar grew up a tomboy in a single-parent household with her older siblings and other family members, discovering a gift for sports despite her mother’s wish that she concentrate on her studies. Bob Mae “worked two jobs and lived on food stamps to make ends meet,” but Sugar reminisces on the good times her family had. Bob Mae also provides encouragement through Sugar’s early golf career, as Sugar meets Tiger Woods, features in his foundation’s Coca-Cola commercial, and later represents his team in a California invitational. With her sister in jail and her mother beginning to succumb to lupus, Sugar’s home life degrades, but she perseveres to attend college and reach the WNBA. Clearly illustrating her mother’s strong influence and her supportive community, Rodgers pulls no punches in this raw, emotional rags-to-riches memoir. Ages 11–up. (May)
Jacqueline Woodson
"They Better Call Me Sugar is fabulous—so infinitely readable and engaging. Sugar Rodgers is such a clear-eyed and thoughtful writer and a huge inspiration. There are so many young people I can’t wait to give this book to."
Booklist
"[Rodgers] now has a new goal: sharing her story with others. She certainly accomplishes that in this raw, compelling memoir of a girl growing up in difficult circumstances but with the wits, confidence, and drive that made her an All-Star. An inspiring autobiography."
Ms. Magazine
"In her inspiring and candid debut memoir, WNBA star Sugar Rodgers opens up about her challenging youth and her path to college, a successful career and a fulfilling, empowered life."
From the Publisher
"WNBA All-Star Sugar Rodgers shares her story of growing up, poverty, family life, school, sports, friends, and how she eventually shaped a successful career as a professional basketball player for herself."
—YALSA's The Hub, A Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Featured Review
"Rodgers pulls no punches in this raw, emotional rags-to-riches memoir."
—Publishers Weekly
"[Rodgers] now has a new goal: sharing her story with others. She certainly accomplishes that in this raw, compelling memoir of a girl growing up in difficult circumstances but with the wits, confidence, and drive that made her an All-Star. An inspiring autobiography."
—Booklist
"WNBA champion Rodgers reflects on her childhood and road to athletic glory...Encouraging tidbits will stay with readers, such as, 'Stars are stars because they work hard even when the lights are not on'...This memoir...has a bold bounce."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Rodgers’s childhood and conflicts are ones many readers will be able to identify with and find hope in her motivation."
—School Library Journal
"The memoir is filled with anecdotes and memories from her childhood on, written in short, easy to read chapters...I would recommend They Better Call Me Sugar to young teenage girls who are seeking a role model or girls who are interested in sports careers. It will resonate and inspire them."
—The Cyberlibrarian
"Sugar Rodgers's story will be inspirational not only for young girls, not only for young athletes, but for everyone. You never know the mountains people have to climb to reach the level of success they have achieved."
—Etan Thomas, former NBA player, author of We Matter: Athletes and Activism
"Having had the privilege of playing and working with Sugar Rodgers, I've been blessed with a front row seat to watch her grow into the woman she is today. My hope and prayer is that everyone, both young and old, gets an opportunity to read this book and let Sugar—the athlete, the woman, the survivor—have as much of an impact on their lives as she has had on mine."
—Swin Cash, three-time WNBA champion, VP of Basketball Operations with the New Orleans Pelicans
"It would be too easy to say that Sugar Rodgers's memoir is a slam dunk. It's more than that—it's a three-pointer from deep. If you want to know what it takes to shoot for your dreams in sports and in life, read this book."
—C.J. Farley, author of Around Harvard Square
"They Better Call Me Sugar delivers an empowering testimony that takes the reader into the visual life of Sugar Rodgers along with her journey of loss, laughter, growth, courage, and success. As an English teacher, I have read many books over the years. However, this book is now number one on my list as the BEST book that I have ever read. I cried, laughed and felt every word on every page. It will be a book that transforms the lives of many teenagers and young adults for the future."
—Ariane Williams, English teacher, Deep Creek High School (Chesapeake, VA)
School Library Journal
06/01/2021
Gr 5–8—Rodgers's journey to the WNBA was not an easy road, to say the least. She starts her book with a desire to motivate others and shares her struggle to succeed by discussing her childhood growing up in an overpoliced neighborhood in Virginia. As a child, Rodgers's mother supported her involvement in golf and eventually basketball. The loss of her mother, brother, and father, as well as siblings in jail and frequently moving homes, didn't cultivate an environment for Rodgers to thrive, but through support, determination, and a lot of natural skill, she found her way to the basketball court. Although the writing style is not cohesive and there are some confusing time lines, the book is easy to read, and many readers will find the vernacular relatable. It ends with advice that provides hope to readers who might not see a clear path to their dream. Rodgers's childhood and conflicts are ones many readers will be able to identify with and find hope in her motivation. Her motivation model is based on being able to take constructive criticism, that "someone thinks you are good enough to correct." VERDICT This book does contain some swearing, including derogatory terms, and potentially triggering life events such as death, imprisonment, and physical abuse. Although this work would best suit middle schoolers, some caution should be taken for sensitive readers.—Samantha Hull, Ephrata H.S., PA
Kirkus Reviews
2021-02-05
WNBA champion Rodgers reflects on her childhood and road to athletic glory.
Written in accessible, colloquial, first-person language, Rodgers’ story is presented with a raw focus on her childhood growing up as the youngest daughter of a big, extended family in Williamstown, a neighborhood in Suffolk, Virginia. Through short chapters filled with anecdotal insights, Rodgers talks about the influence her mother had on her engagement with sports, including golf and, eventually, her passion for basketball. Although her early life proved to be chaotic, with community members in and out of jail around her, Rodgers’ mother was a stabilizing agent, preparing her to train, learn, and grow as an athlete and a young woman; indeed, the book is dedicated to her mother’s memory. Rodgers also acknowledges coaches, family members, and friends who have made an impact on her career, enriching her journey through the connections they made. She acknowledges the people who supported her triumphs and shared her challenges, staying by her side no matter what. Encouraging tidbits will stay with readers, such as, “Stars are stars because they work hard even when the lights are not on.” Although the chapters are short and easy to engage with, they end abruptly, leaving each section feeling disconnected. Some anecdotes wander widely, never coming back to find a focus to tie everything together.
Disjointed storytelling fouls the play, but this memoir still has a bold bounce. (Memoir. 14-18)
