Nonfiction

My Basketball Book

Find all the basics ion this lively guide.

• The markings on a basketball court

• What basketball players wear

• The three team positions

• The excitement of passing the ball

• The thrill of making a basket

All these and more are included, with a useful glossary at the end.

On the Court with...LeBron James (Matt Christopher Sports Biographies)

Outstanding. Unbelievable. Mindblowing. These are just a few of the words used to describe the talents of LeBron James. He was a sensation in his early days playing AAU ball in Akron, Ohio-and continued to amaze through his four years as a high school phenomenon. Now going into his fifth year as a star of the Cleveland Cavaliers, he is touted as the best player in basketball today. And for good reason: his dunks are monstrous, his no-look passes are things of beauty, his three-pointers seem effortless. But even more importantly, he is that one-of-a-kind superstar whose main goal isn't to rack up the stats-it's to make his team better.

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream

Before basketball star Michael Jordan's name was uttered reverently in households all over the planet, young Michael was just a shrimpy kid trying to play ball with the big boys in the neighborhood. Tired of being teased by the biggest boy on the court, Michael is convinced the only solution is to grow taller. His mama smilingly suggests putting salt in his shoes and saying a prayer every night. His daddy tells young Michael that "Being taller may help you play a little better, but not as much as practice, determination, and giving your best will. Those are the things that make you a real winner." And so they are. At 6-foot-6, Michael may not have grown up to be the tallest player on the court, but he sure did turn out to be one of the best!

As his mother and his sister, Deloris Jordan and Rosalyn Jordan are in a pretty good position to tell us all about what made Michael a star. They create an image of a cozy, loving family life any child would be happy to come home to. Award-winning illustrator Kadir Nelson's oil pictures of the gangly little Michael with hyperlong arms and oversized hands capture the preteen potential as well as his gawky grace. This warm, uplifting story will encourage young readers to chase their dreams with hard work and faith. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

Michael Jordan.

The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he'd never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That's when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion -- patience, determination, and hard work.

Deloris Jordan, mother of the basketball phenomenon, teams up with his sister Roslyn to tell this heartwarming and inspirational story that only the members of the Jordan family could tell. It's a tale about faith and hope and how any family working together can help a child make his or her dreams come true.

Basketball (DK Eyewitness Books)

Slam Dunk! My Basketball Book

J is for Jump Shot: A Basketball Alphabet Edition 1. (Sports Alphabet)

From the first jump ball and its humble beginnings at a YMCA with a couple of peach baskets, to the final buzzer and the glam of an NBA slam, basketball bounces onto your bookshelves with J is For Jump Shot. As with the other Sleeping Bear sports titles (7 titles and over 400,000 in print) it is the perfect introduction to the game. Whether reluctant or voracious, readers will be entertained as they learn the rules, fundamentals, famous players and plays.Young fans and old will find nothing but net with Mark Braught+s dynamic illustrations as their many questions are answered - What was the role of Dr. James Naismith in developing the game? Why do referees sometimes place their palm on their head? And who scored more points than any other NBA player?

Steve Nash: The Making of an MVPWith a foreword by Steve Nash

From a starting point as a relatively short high-school athlete fighting to landing a college scholarship to being named a two-time MVP of the NBA—it’s been an incredible journey for professional basketball player Steve Nash. And now readers have an inside ticket for the entire trip! In this new authorized biography, fans young and old will learn about everything from Nash’s early years in Victoria, British Columbia, where he forged his now-legendary work ethic and hoop skills, to his current superstar turn with the Phoenix Suns. The boy who in junior high school confidently told his mother he would one day play in the NBA has done that and so much more. This is the story of how he has beaten overwhelming odds to become not only a top-flight athlete—but also a widely admired human being.

On the Court with Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant may be one of the youngest basketball players in the NBA, but no one would dare call him inexperienced. The son of former NBA player Joe "Jellybean: Bryant, Kobe spent his childhood watching professional basketball. From the moment he could handle a ball, he was learning to dribble and shoot. At age eighteen he was given the chance to prove his stuff when he was drafted into the NBA. Fresh out of high school, Kobe showed he had the talent and the heart to make it in the pros.

A Little Giant Book: Basketball Facts (A Little Giant Book)

On the Court With... Shaquille O' Neal