The incredible true story of one high school student's determination to triumph against the challenges of autism-and his opponents on the basketball court...

On February 15, 2006, the Greece Athena Trojans high school basketball team took the court for the final game of the regular season. With four minutes and nineteen seconds left on the clock, and the Trojans nursing a comfortable lead, the coach sent Jason McElwain-an autistic student and the team manager-to the scorer's table. He scored twenty points, including a school record six three- pointers. J-Mac, as McElwain became known, was carried off the court on his teammates' shoulders, and a videotape of the game quickly found its way onto national television, making J-Mac a household name.

An inspiration to people everywhere, Jason McElwain's amazing accomplishment was broadcast on CN, ESPN, and local newscasts across the country, moving President Bush to tears with his courage and determination. The Game of My Life is one of the few books written by an autistic author-a riveting chronicle of how J-Mac overcame a lifetime of adversity.

"J-Mac's story gives young people everywhere a lot of hope and not just young people living with autism, but all young people. It teaches them to never give up on their dreams and to be ready for their shot when called upon. God blesses us with special people who can be a beacon of light for others. Jason is one of those special people."
- Earvin "Magic" Johnson

"Jason was given that one opportunity to shine. He stepped on the court for 5 minutes and captured the imagination of everyone. His story is an inspiration for all parents and provides hope for those facing a diagnosis of autism."
Ð Doug Flutie, Former NFL Player and Co-founder of the Doug Flutie, Jr., Foundation for Autism

"Jason is a warrior and a pioneer at the Peete house. His undeniable courage and infectious benevolent human spirit has been an empowering source of hope not only for we parents dealing with autism but also for the entire human race! We read The Game of My Life as a family and we were uplifted on every level. From the swish of a basket to the stroke of a pen, Jason is heroically providing the world a long-overdue education on autism, promoting inclusion and erasing a stigma that has held back too many of these valuable children from reaching their full potential as human beings."
- Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete

"J-Mac rocks! His book rocks! I have autism like him. But I am not autism. He makes me proud and he showed me I could do great things with my life even when somebody tells me I cannot."
- RJ Peete, Age 10

"The Indianapolis Colts got to know Jason McElwain during our 2006 season when he worked for us as a ball boy in training camp. Jason is a tremendous young man who happens to be autistic. I learned a lot from him and I learned even more from his book. The Game of My Life tells how he became nationally known, but it is much more than a story about one game. It talks about autism, about life, and about how much can be accomplished by having a great attitude and 'staying focused'."
- Tony Dungy, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts

"A lot of us feel like this is our gift, to have this happen and to have it receive so much nationwide publicity. There are thousands of Jasons out there, carrying the net for the soccer team, keeping statistics for the baseball team, playing the drum for the school band. This serves as a reminder to give these kids a chance whenever possible."
Ð Dr. Catherine Lord, Director of the University of Michigan's Autism and Communications Disorders Center

Jason "J-Mac" McElwain overcame a childhood diagnosis of severe autism, enabling him to attend Greece Athena High School where he earned a manager's position on the basketball team. He works at Wegmans in Rochester, New York, and lives in the neighboring town of Greece.

Daniel Paisner is the author of nearly 40 books, on such topics as sports, politics and entertainment, including seven New York Times bestsellers.

Imprint: NAL Hardcover
Distributor: Penguin Group USA, Inc
Publication Date: 02-05-2008
Pages: 256
Measurements: 9.40in X 6.36in X 1.01in X 1.00lb