HOOP KINGS by Charles R. Smith, Jr.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Smith, Charles R. JR. 2004. HOOP KINGS. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763614238

PLOT SUMMARY:
HOOP KINGS puts basketball players in verse form. It spotlights famous basketball players like Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garrett and Kobe Bryant. Each player, twelve in all, has an individual poem that describes and highlights the players best attribute. The poems are accompanied by large photos of the player. Each photograph illustrates the player in action with a spectacular display of athletic abiblity. An enormous actual-size footprint of Shaquille's basktball shoe accompanies his poem on a large fold out page in the book. The poems are also identified by the player's numbers instead of page numbers. To end the experience. Charle R. Smith, Jr. offers notes with a commentary on the player and why he wrote in the style that he did about that player.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The basketball players that Smith chose to write about is probably one of the most appealing qualities of this book of poetry. His choosing current famous players makes this book appealing to many who might not otherwise choose a poetry book. The photographs of the players in action would be another factor that would draw reluctant readers to HOOP KINGS, especially boys who might not choose to read poetry. The display of Shaquilles' life size shoe print adds to the credibility of what the author says about the players. The author's admiration for the 12 talented male athletes is evident through is writings and the notes he adds about each at the end of the book. Sports fans of many ages would enjoy reading this poetry about the athletes in HOOP KINGS. Boys, especially who might not be interested in poetry, would find the book fun and entertaining. They may suddenly decide that poetty is interesting.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST - " Illuminating notes on each poem's style or central image tempt readers to turn back the pages for repeated looks."
COOPERATIVE CHILDREN"S BOOK CENTER CHOICES - "Twelve other NBA stars are celebrated in jamming action poems accompanined by large photographs embellished with electric designs."
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION - "This is another visually impressive book by Charles Smith, Jr., who has authored other books that blend his love of basketball and poetry."

CONNECTIONS:
HOOP KINGS encourages students to read poetry that is different from traditional literature. Encourages the athletic student who otherwise might not read anything.

Use this book in a poetry unit. Divide class into groups and assign different kinds of poetry books. Let students discuss why they like the type of potry they chose and try writing their own poetry of the chosen type.