More than Just a Game

Starred review from August 1, 2021
The lamentably untold story of how basketball made its way from peach baskets in all-White YMCAs to dance halls in Black American neighborhoods, then to everywhere else in the world. Today, the ubiquity of Black and brown faces on basketball courts can be easily taken for granted, but the origins of the sport looked noticeably different when James Naismith purportedly first invented the game in 1891. 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. Big-city dance halls and ballrooms provided a perfect venue for Black participation in a sport that had previously been exclusive to Whites-only colleges and gymnasiums; a Chicago team was even named after the Savoy Ballroom, where it played. Before it wraps up with the NBA's transition into an integrated league with the year of its formation in 1949, this book does an excellent job of celebrating the legacies of a few of the Black players, teams, and contributors to the early days of basketball. Readers will appreciate the connections drawn to the sport today, and if they look closely, they may even see some familiar faces in the art. A brief but nonetheless impressive sports history that is too often overlooked. (player profiles, additional resources) (Informational picture book. 4-9)

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September 1, 2021
Grades K-3 Basketball, invented in 1891, was sweeping the country by the early 1900s. African Americans weren't allowed to play on white courts or in white YMCAs, so Black players found their own spaces, such as ragtime dance halls and jazz ballrooms, where crowds would cheer ""ally-oops and eight-count steps"" before the start of the evening's entertainment. This history of basketball celebrates early African American teams (a.k.a. Black Fives), highlights stand-out players and managers, and describes the inventive workarounds and rapidly growing enthusiasm that turned games into community events. The text is lyrical and upbeat; the realistic, vibrant illustrations capture the joy of moving, whether in intense encounters on the court or on a swinging dance floor. Back matter includes brief profiles of Black basketball icons past and present, information on the Black Fives Foundation (an organization that seeks to preserve the history of early basketball), and source notes. 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.

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October 1, 2021

Gr 4-8-A beautifully illustrated introduction to the ways Black Americans impacted the shape and structure of one of America's most popular sports. What isn't often popularized is the way this sport was introduced to the Black community. In this incisive text, readers learn about the Black Fives (all-Black basketball teams that played between 1904 and 1950), the Harlem Globetrotters, and the grueling path to an integrated basketball league. It is written in an engaging format reminiscent of ESPN's behind-the-scenes commentary. The text and the images combine to illuminate the full story of basketball and draw readers into the stands for a bird's-eye view of the game. The quick, light, and pleasurable read is filled with illustrations in a rich color palette, and the elongated bodies of the players highlight the graceful nature of the sport. This would pair well with Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball by Jen Bryant and Steve Sheinkin's Undefeated. VERDICT A strong choice for elementary and middle school libraries for its more complete and more nuanced look at the history of basketball.-Desiree Thomas, Worthington Lib., OH

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