Allie's Basketball Dream

by Barbara Barber, Darryl Ligasan (Illustrator)

Overview

Allie's story of self-determination is one that young athletes, both boys and girls, will recognize. Perfect for anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of practicing and playing hard, Allie's Basketball Dream is a spirited tribute to perseverance.

Basketball is Allie's favorite sport-she's loved it ever since her father took her to her first game at Madison Square Garden. When her dad gives her a new basketball of her own, she hits the neighborhood courts, full of confidence. Once there, her enthusiasm ebbs as her shots fall short of the basket-at least at first.

Allie's story of self-determination is one that young athletes, both boys and girls, will recognize. Perfect for anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of practicing and playing hard, Allie's Basketball Dream is a spirited tribute to perseverance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781880000724
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	04/01/2013
Edition description:	1ST
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	191,295
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Barbara E. Barber is the author of poetry that has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Writer, and Midwest Poetry Review. She lives in New York City.

Darryl Ligasan is a native of the Philippines, and now lives in New York City, where he works as an illustrator and designer, and teaches at the School of Visual Arts.

Editorial Reviews

"Children will appreciate Allie's triumph and tenacity, as well as the glowing illustrations." — Booklist

"Repeatedly told that 'basketball's a boy's game,' a girl's confidence falters and then rebounds in this encouraging tale. Barber's message is deserving. . .the rebuffs Allie weathers are countless, and then applause is just as universal." — Publishers Weekly

CCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

From the Publisher

Repeatedly told that "basketball's a boy's game," a girl's confidence falters and then rebounds in this encouraging tale. Allie tries out her brand-new basketball, a gift from her father, at a city playground. Although she wants to be a professional player, first she has to get the ball in, and not even her girlfriends want to play. Allie finally convinces one boy that girls can shoot hoops too, and her father returns just in time to see her make a perfect basket. Barber's (Saturday at the New You) message is deserving, if delivered with a heavy hand: the rebuffs Allie weathers are countless, and then applause is just as universal. Ligasan (Caravan) contributes stylized art, created by transferring pencil sketches into a computer. His high-tech medium imparts a three-dimensional look and some playful distortions, too, an effect like that of wide-angle lens. By bringing objects in and out of focus, he effectively portrays motion, adding bounce to a story of perseverance. Ages 4-up. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

K-Gr 2-Allie, a young black girl, receives a basketball as a gift from her father. Having been in love with the sport since she attended a game at Madison Square Garden, she's anxious to test her skills with her new ball. Her father walks her to a park where she shoots a few hoops with little success. As time goes by, Allie runs into friends and acquaintances who decline to join her on the court, some even commenting that they thought basketball was "for boys." Undaunted, the girl begins to find the range of her shot, and those who previously scoffed at her efforts begin to take notice. This pleasant though unremarkable story presents a strong female protagonist and a multiethnic supporting cast. The full-color illustrations, "created using a variety of traditional and digital techniques," radiate from the page, producing an almost fluorescent glow. An additional purchase for libraries looking for picture books about sports.-Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI

School Library Journal