Hoop Kings - Hardcover

Smith Jr., Charles R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763614238 ISBN 13: 9780763614232

Publisher: Candlewick, 2004

Synopsis

Cheer on twelve top basketball pros with a dynamic collection of verse by Charles R. Smith Jr., set against vibrant photos of the players in action.

Tim Duncan cashes in double-digit points by banking it off the backboard. Kevin Garnett makes his new-and-improved moves in 3-D. As for the "Super Human Atomic Quake" Shaquille O’Neal, just open the foldout and see what it might take to fill his gargantuan shoes (shown actual size). With pumping, energetic, rap-inspired wordplay, Charles R. Smith Jr. profiles the distinctive playing styles of twelve of the best players in basketball. A striking cover treatment, arresting design, and eye-catching action photos make HOOP KINGS a guaranteed magnet for kids who love basketball—and a valuable find for teachers who love language.

About this title

About the Author

Charles R. Smith, Jr. says that while growing up in California, he spent many hours reading anything he could get his hands on. "Reading books filled with stories and poems inspired me to write my own," he says. "The more I read, the more I wrote. And if I wasn’t reading a book, I was playing a sport: I played everything, particularly basketball, and spent many afternoons on the court, perfecting my jump shot." While working on his high school yearbook as a writer, Charles R. Smith Jr. was introduced to photography and immediately decided to make a career of it. He graduated from photography school and headed to New York to pursue his dream. "I continued with my writing, and, with a heavy influence of rap music, began writing more poetry instead of stories," he says. "Now, I have combined my photographic skills with my love of reading, writing, and sports to create an exciting career for myself!" In addition to the companion book HOOP QUEENS, Charles R. Smith Jr. wrote and illustrated the American Library Association Notable Book RIMSHOTS: BASKETBALL PIX, ROLLS, AND RHYTHMS, among other titles.

Reviews

Grade 3 Up--Combining dynamic illustrations and full-bodied language, Smith's latest collection of poems enthusiastically conveys both love for and knowledge of the game. Twelve superstars dominate the pages, each with his own spread featuring photographic images and a poem designed to match the player's unique style. The book begins with Allen Iverson ("By Any Means Necessary"): "Crooked cornrows/cause chaotic/and catastrophic collisions/with precision./Your mission/and goal:/put the ball/in the hole/using lightning-quick speed/and total body control." Chris Webber ("Velvet Hammer") is represented by four energetic haiku poems: "Relentless reflexes/rattle rising rebounds/into rigid rims." Jason Williams ("The Amazing") is introduced with a circus barker's voice describing him as a magician: "SEE/3-point illusions/baffle your mind/when toes are behind/the arc/and spark/long-distance matches,/lighting a torch/to scorch/nylon nets." And, of course, no book about contemporary stars would be complete without Shaquille O'Neal ("What's in a Name?"): Super/Human/Atomic/Quake." Dominating the center pages of the book, Shaq's actual shoe sole appears on a foldout page. This book will have enormous appeal for all ages; basketball fans will love it, but so will others who respond to color, lively language, and energy. Readers will experience a wild ride!--Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gr. 3-6. The author of Rimshots (1999) again combines digitally altered photos and staccato, rap-style lyrics into a paean to the pleasures of b-ball--in this case, as exemplified by 12 current professional stars. Leaving any traces of vulnerability in the locker room, Kobe Bryant issues "high-flyin' / heart-stoppin' / eye-poppin' / jaw-droppin' / gravity-defyin' / fiery-red / DUNKS"; Troy McGrady performs his "One-Man Show"; and Jason Kidd accelerates "from super / to sonic / to hyper / to light." Smith's page-filling action shots, which appear against wide, dramatically angled or spiraled bands of color, capture a sense of the game's speed and grace. Illuminating notes on each poem's style or central image tempt readers to turn back the pages for repeated looks. With their driving energy, the words and pictures (the life-size foldout of Shaquille O'Neal's size 22G shoe sole is great) seem to jump from the page, even after their subjects have switched teams or otherwise moved on. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0763614238
• ISBN 13: 9780763614232
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 42