How Long to Read Mama Bear

How Long Does it Take to Read Mama Bear?

It takes the average reader 4 hours and 22 minutes to read Mama Bear by Shirley Smith

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

“Brave. Compelling. Provocative. ” —Gabrielle Union Wade, actress and New York Times bestselling author In this moving memoir, Shirley Smith, wife of NBA Champion and All-Star J. R. Smith, tells the story of giving birth to one of the youngest premature babies to survive—using her experience to heighten awareness of the crisis of Black maternal and infant health and pay tribute to Black women’s resilience. Shirley Smith and her husband, NBA champion J. R. Smith, looked forward to the birth of their second child, Dakota, as they celebrated New Year’s Eve with family at home. After dinner, Shirley felt a sharp pain that worsened through the night. Only 21-weeks pregnant, she was in labor. Mama Bear is the story of her 141-day ordeal, from entering a hospital emergency room on New Year’s morning and giving birth to her premature newborn, to taking her daughter home for the first time the following May. In telling her story, written with Zelda Lockhart, Shirley shines a spotlight on the dangers Black women face during pregnancy. Black mothers are twice as likely as their white counterparts to go into labor prematurely and lose their babies—and almost four times as likely to die giving birth. Neither socioeconomic status nor access to quality healthcare seem to matter. Tennis champion Serena Williams experienced life-threatening complications during childbirth, and Beyoncé suffered toxemia with her premature twins. Shirley chronicles the emotional and physical battle she and J. R. endured to save their daughter, and her continual struggles to support her family while nurturing herself. Like many Black women, Shirley was raised to believe that pain is a sign of weakness. The one who kept it together for everybody, she had always put herself second. She parallels this difficult journey to her childhood growing up with an addict mother, and having to raise herself and her brother from a very young age. A chronicle of pain, loss, and infidelity, Mama Bear is ultimately a story of love—a celebration of community, family, faith, healing, the maternal bond, and one woman’s indomitable spirit.

How long is Mama Bear?

Mama Bear by Shirley Smith is 256 pages long, and a total of 65,536 words.

This makes it 86% the length of the average book. It also has 80% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Mama Bear Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 5 hours and 58 minutes to read Mama Bear aloud.

What Reading Level is Mama Bear?

Mama Bear is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Mama Bear?

Mama Bear by Shirley Smith is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

To buy Mama Bear by Shirley Smith on Amazon click the button below.