For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me [Hardcover]

Eloise Greenfield (Author), Jan Spivey Gilchrist (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1997 | Age Level: 4 and up

This inspiring poem encourages children to view life with the same determination and passion that Michael Jordan displays in how he plays basketball. By listening to their inner voice and looking to those who love and support them, children can find their own way to fly. Distinguished poet Eloise Greenfield and celebrated artist Jan Spivey Gilchrist honor the beauty of the human spirit and offer a timeless message that will resonate with readers young and old.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Michael Jordan's grace on the basketball court and understated salesmanship as a spokesperson for everything from athletic shoes to hot dogs has inspired a generation of kids who want to "be like Mike." In their latest collaboration, Greenfield and Gilchrist (Night on Neighborhood Street) try to harness Jordan's motivational abilities as a way of inspiring their readers to persevere in their own goals; however, author and artist achieve uneven results at best. Greenfield's metaphor-laden verse first describes Jordan on the court, then likens a child's important decisions in "the game of life" to the ones the athlete makes in play ("I take my stance/ I make my move"). A preponderance of eagle images in the illustrations and several creepy scenes of trees with faces and ghostly "doomsayers" unfortunately amplify the text's melodramatic tone. Though Jordan is arguably the best-known sports personality in decades, this supposed tribute assumes much-it barely includes any biographical data (save for "From North Carolina,/ at guard, six-six,/ Mi--chael Jordan!") and fails to mention Jordan's accomplishments or even his affiliation with the world champion Chicago Bulls; there's little here to hook his fans. The theme of boosting self-esteem and self-confidence may be well-intentioned, but the execution is wide of the mark. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4. A distinguished poet and artist have combined their talents once again in a book that celebrates the human spirit in poetic words and powerful visual images. Starting with the image of a young Michael Jordan following his dream onto the basketball court, the poem then focuses on two children, a boy and girl, overcoming the "voices/of naysayers/You can't, too hard,/you can't" to find the strength within themselves to follow their own dreams: "I take my stance/I make my move./For the love of the game/of my life/I live." The vibrant watercolors show a Michael Jordan who is as large as life. The children are depicted in their pajamas, in keeping with the dreamlike feel of the art and text. Throughout the illustrations, an eagle is shown hovering in the background, dramatizing the gravity-defying moves of the athlete and the need for the children to find their own wings: "I listen to my heart/beating my rhythm." The overall effect is a powerful blending of words and pictures that delivers a message that needs to be heard by children growing up in a hostile world.?Connie C. Rockman, formerly at Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers; 1st edition (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060272988
• ISBN-13: 978-0060272982
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,941,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, October 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me (Hardcover)

This book is inspirational! You don't even have to know who Michael Jordan is to understand the message in this book: follow your dreams, no matter what. Terrific!!!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For The Love of the Game: Michael Jordan & Me, July 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me (Library Binding)

This was an excellent book with a strong positive message to all kids

1 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Michael Jordan was never my hero!, November 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me (Hardcover)

Michael Jordan never impressed me as a player! I personally think this book was self glorification! He may be the greatest , but not as a player in my book! I did like the pictures, and there were a lot of facts that I did not know about(like his contract with Nike shoes) but I feel like I wasted my money on this book! I don't reccomend you buy it but then again, we all have different tastes.