More Than Just a Game

Kirkus Best Informational Picture Books of 2021

STARRED REVIEW! "Moore's succinct and musical prose pairs well with Ollivierre's dynamic, movement-focused illustrations to outline a rich history of the sport's growth in popularity due to the unique circumstances of the early 20th century."--Kirkus Reviews starred review

A look at how Black players came to shine on the basketball court.

Today, the NBA is around 74% Black but, when basketball first started to catch on, it wasn't easy for Black people to play. They couldn't enter segregated YMCAs or attend privileged colleges. So Black Americans made their own spaces, playing in dance halls before the dancing started, and eventually forming teams called the Black Fives. More than Just a Game celebrates the history of basketball from a Black perspective, revealing how it changed Black communities and how they made the sport into what it is today.

“STARRED REVIEW! "Moore's succinct and musical prose pairs well with Ollivierre's dynamic, movement-focused illustrations to outline a rich history of the sport's growth in popularity due to the unique circumstances of the early 20th century."--Kirkus Reviews starred review”

"A strong choice for elementary and middle school libraries for its more complete and more nuanced look at the history of basketball."--School Library Journal

"This will be useful for reports, and the contagious enthusiasm will shine through during read-alouds. It should prove popular wherever kids are into basketball--which is basically everywhere."--Booklist

STARRED REVIEW! "Moore's succinct and musical prose pairs well with Ollivierre's dynamic, movement-focused illustrations to outline a rich history of the sport's growth in popularity due to the unique circumstances of the early 20th century."--Kirkus Reviews starred review

Kirkus Best Informational Picture Books of 2021

Madison Moore is an artist, maker, and writer. She's a recent graduate of the University of Chicago and an editor. In her free time, you can find her swimming in the lake or playing ultimate frisbee. She is the author of two books. Visit her online at thegirlandthelamb.com. Lonnie Ollivierre was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, grew up in Brooklyn, and lives in Georgia. He taught himself to draw and paint from comic books he collected. His goal is to inspire, educate, and uplift others through his art.

Kirkus Best Informational Picture Books of 2021 STARRED REVIEW! "Moore's succinct and musical prose pairs well with Ollivierre's dynamic, movement-focused illustrations to outline a rich history of the sport's growth in popularity due to the unique circumstances of the early 20th century."--Kirkus Reviews starred review A look at how Black players came to shine on the basketball court. Today, the NBA is around 74% Black but, when basketball first started to catch on, it wasn't easy for Black people to play. They couldn't enter segregated YMCAs or attend privileged colleges. So Black Americans made their own spaces, playing in dance halls before the dancing started, and eventually forming teams called the Black Fives. More than Just a Game celebrates the history of basketball from a Black perspective, revealing how it changed Black communities and how they made the sport into what it is today.

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