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Basket Ball
American Sports Histories (Related to this series)
- Author
- Kadir Nelson
- Narrator
- Cary Hite
- Publisher
- Hachette Audio for Young Listeners
- Publish Date
- 13 January 2026
- Run Time
- 2 hours 28 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Basketball has evolved by leaps and bounds since its origin over 125 years ago, but what remains is the passion of the players, the heat of competition, and supreme strategy and athleticism on the court. In this visual tour de force, celebrated artist Kadir Nelson weds his love for the game with showstopping paintings that bring its heart-pounding history to life.
The sage voice of an elder player narrates the journey from the early days of the slow game of “basket ball” to today’s dazzlingly athletic and fast-paced sport. Engaging profiles of revolutionary players—including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry—are featured, along with notable quotes from major figures of the game. With each breathtaking page turn, fans young and old will learn the gripping story of the all-American game and meet its iconic, indomitable heroes.
Critics Review
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* "Jam-packed with well-researched historical context, each chapter is compelling.... A backboard-shattering slam dunk."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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Praise for We Are the Ship:
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Award
A New York Times bestseller
"Nelson continues to top himself with each new book." —Kirkus Reviews
"Pitch-perfect history of Negro League Baseball. " —Horn Book
“The stories and artwork contained here are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers.” —Booklist
“An engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages.” —School Library Journal
“One need not be a baseball fan to enjoy this book.” —Library Media Connection
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Kadir Nelson
- Narrator
- Cary Hite
- Duration
- 2 hours 28 minutes
- Release Date
- 13 January 2026
- ISBN
- 9781668654729
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Hachette Audio for Young Listeners
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage general interest: Ball games and sports: Basketball, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Places and peoples, Children’s / Teenage general interest: History and the past, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Hobbies, quizzes, toys and games
Synopsis
Award-winning creator Kadir Nelson delivers the perfect gift for basketball fans of any age—a beautifully illustrated history of the game and its key players over the years—in this companion to his bestselling We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Basketball has evolved by leaps and bounds since its origin over 125 years ago, but what remains is the passion of the players, the heat of competition, and supreme strategy and athleticism on the court. In this visual tour de force, celebrated artist Kadir Nelson weds his love for the game with showstopping paintings that bring its heart-pounding history to life. The sage voice of an elder player narrates the journey from the early days of the slow game of “basket ball” to today’s dazzlingly athletic and fast-paced sport. Engaging profiles of revolutionary players—including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry—are featured, along with notable quotes from major figures of the game. With each breathtaking page turn, fans young and old will learn the gripping story of the all-American game and meet its iconic, indomitable heroes.
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