Hoop Kings

by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Overview

With pumping, energetic, rap-inspired wordplay, Charles R. Smith Jr. profiles the distinctive styles of the best players in basketball

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 Shaquille O’Neal, just see what it might take to fill his gargantuan shoes (shown actual size). With pumping, energetic, rap-inspired wordplay, Charles R. Smith profiles the distinctive playing styles of twelve of the best male players in basketball.

An International Reading Association Children’s Choice

A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

A Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices List Selection

Back matter includes notes on the poems and an author’s note.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763635602
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/11/2007
Series:	Sports Royalty
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	5.31(w) x 7.69(h) x 0.18(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

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.

Editorial Reviews

"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!
—School Library Journa (starred review)

From the Publisher

After paying homage to Hoop Queens, Charles R. Smith Jr. now focuses on 12 male NBA superstars in Hoop Kings. Memorable imagery and slick rhythms (not to mention an actual-size Shaq shoe print on a foldout) combine to create poetic portraits (such as the one for Allen Iverson: "Crooked cornrows/ cause chaotic/ and catastrophic collisions/ with precision"). Smith's signature bold photographs, playful type, and electric colors and design blend 1970s-era basketball, modern street ball and hip-hop influences. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Gr 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 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Another of Smith's poetic tributes to hoops and the star athletes of the game and a companion to his earlier Hoop Queens. Readers of previous collections will get more of what they expect in this collection of 12 poems, each dedicated to a different player who is currently well-known and at the top of his game. This would include Kobe Bryant, whose career on the court is currently being overshadowed by events in a courtroom, but pure fans won't mind. They may, however, object to the changes of the colors of uniform, for example the Lakers purple and yellow is now red and black or the chartreuse green on the page for Timberwolf Kevin Garnett. Surprisingly dominant player Shaquille O'Neal doesn't seem to get a true poem, but a double-page spread that showcases his actual shoe size. Smith does add a page for himself and some insight into his thoughts about the players leading to his poems. A solid jump shot, but no slam-dunk. (Poetry. 8-14)

Kirkus Reviews