Strong to the Hoop (PB) (1999)

Notable Books for a Global Society, International Reading Association (IRA)
Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Marion Vannett Ridgway Award Honoree
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, National Council for the Social Studies/ Children's Book Council
Original Art Show, Society of Illustrators

A boy finally gets to play basketball on the main court with the older boys, and has to prove he can hold his own.

James has always settled for watching his big brother Nate play basketball from the sidelines. Then one day, a player is injured and James is asked to join the older boys' game. This is James' chance to prove himself on the main court, and he knows there is much more than game point riding on his last shot.

John Coy's energetic prose captures the intensity and emotion of the competition, while Leslie Jean-Bart's photo collages deliver the urban pace of the game.