How Basketball Works [Paperback]

Keltie Thomas (Author), Greg Hall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: How Sports Work

Basketball brings together dynamic maneuvers, fast-paced athletic grace, and an especially sleek style for a sporting event loved the world over. The third book in an award-winning series, How Basketball Works combines Keltie Thomas’s energetic writing with Greg Hall’s witty illustrations to present an exciting look at the science and sport of basketball.

Whether readers are fresh on the hoops scene or pounding the hardwood for a pro career, How Basketball Works has something to offer. The book looks at a wide variety of topics, including what makes a basketball the shooting, passing, and slam-dunking tool that it is; the parts of the court — floor, basket, and backboard — and how each affects a player’s game; how to suit up for success in a uniform with attitude; refining skills like jump shots, passing, blocking shots, and more; going beyond the skills to develop mind and body for b-ball battle; tall tales — how height became a dominating force on the court; and much more. The book also includes photos of pro basketball players past and present, along with “Quick Hit” factoids and fun “Try This” activities to help in skill development.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. This guide to basketball offers information about the game's origins, history, and equipment as well as positions, training, skills, and stats, even the players' shoes. Let other books drone on about the rules of the game (covered here in a single page, right before the lengthy glossary); this offers tips, fascinating factoids, and need-to-know anecdotes, such as how Michael Jordan was motivated by his failure to make the varsity team in high school or how Sheryl Swoopes worked as a bank teller before the 1996 Olympics spurred the birth of the WNBA. The writing style is razzle-dazzle energetic, and many sections of text conclude with an exclamation point or a pun. The layout features numerous sidebars and brightly colored photos and digital drawings. Even longtime fans will learn something from this engaging, enthusiastic book. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

If your reader is into basketball, he or she will devour How Basketball Works. (Chronicle Herald )

From its bright, appealing cover to the fast-paced action inside, this book, the third in the “How Sports Work” series, is a slam dunk! Thomas’s writing style is fast-paced and lively, engaging the reader throughout the book. Jam-packed with information, this book not only demonstrates Thomas’s thorough knowledge of the game, but also her ability to combine history, science and sport and to select interesting stories about NBA players and teams. Abundant photos, diagrams and Hall’s often amusing illustrations, along with the vibrant colors and graphically appealing layout, perfectly complement the text. Enjoyable, entertaining and informative, this book is a sure winner! (CM Magazine: Canadian Review of Materials )

How Basketball Works [is the third book to combine Keltie Thomas’ energetic style of writing with Greg Hall’s witty illustrations.…This latest installment in the How Sports Works series starts with the basics — the basketball — then moves on to the science of refining your shots, the scoop on the jump shot, passing, blocking shots and more. (Edmonton Sun )

How Basketball Works contains a wealth of information on the game. The right combination of science, history, and entertainment blend neatly into a winning formula. (Matt Zeysing, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA )

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Maple Tree Press (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897066198
• ISBN-13: 978-1897066195
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #520,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview for kids, January 17, 2008

By 

Deb W. (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Basketball Works (Hardcover)

This book is a good overview of basketball. It has a short history, playing tips, and information about some of the stars of the game. It's written in a magazine type format with lots of inset boxes and short blurbs. It's colorful and held my childs attention. I think this book is appropriate for all children up to about age 14 who want an overview of basketball.