Basketball For Kids

Melody is certain that her new basketball coach, Mr. O'Grady, is a leprechaun. Bailey School Elementary's new gym teacher is short, and Irish, and carries a bag filled with special stones. Soon, Melody and the other children are keeping an eye on him. When will they get lucky and catch a leprechaun? 

Leonard was just 20 years old when he was first drafted in the NBA. Since then, he has had many triumphs, and has helped lead his teams to greatness. Discover more about Leonard's career highlights in this exciting biography in the Stars of Sports series.

Breanna Stewart is a basketball superstar! She dominated in high school. Stewart then went on to play college ball for the UConn Huskies. From there she was tapped to play for Team USA in the Olympics—where she scored the last shot! Find out how Breanna overcame a difficult childhood to go on to achieve her dreams.

How many players are on a football team? Why is a baseball white with red stitches? What are triathlons? You've got questions about sports, and Kids' Questions has answers! 

Discover more about Christian Laettner’s last-second shot in the 1992 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Learn about how Kerri Strug landed a near-perfect vault performance on an injured ankle, helping the U.S. gymnastics team win gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Moses and Troy Horne here. Your mental-toughness guides! We know exactly how you feel. If you are reading this, you probably have a young athlete who struggles with in-game stress and maybe even sports performance anxiety. That is why this version was mostly written by Moses. As of the time of the writing of this book, Moses Horne is a 15-year-old elite athlete who can talk directly about the triumphs and struggles of working toward being mentally tough. This is the only book that I know of with input from an actual young athlete. 

Many of the greatest basketball players have earned funny, odd, or interesting nicknames during their careers. Listen to find out the stories behind basketball’s legendary nicknames.

How did pro basketball's biggest stars become the greatest players of all time? By playing the game in ways no one had ever done before! Discover the magic that propelled players like Julius “Dr. J” Irving, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Maya Moore, and others to superstardom.

How do you pick basketball’s GOATs? Michael Jordan and LeBron James get a lot of GOAT nods. But is Steph Curry the greatest shooter? And what about all-time WNBA points leader Diana Taurasi? It comes down to stats, history, and hunches.

What does fashion have to do with the game of basketball? More than meets the eye! From shoes, shorts, and headbands to hairstyles and body art, discover the evolution and influence of basketball fashion both on and off the court.

Did Wilt Chamberlain really score 100 points by himself in a single game? Was the 1985 NBA Draft really fixed to make sure the New York Knicks got the first pick? Was Michael Jordan really let go by his high school basketball team? Get ready to discover the real stories behind these and other great basketball myths and legends!

How has the game of basketball changed since it was first invented? In more ways than anyone back in 1891 could have ever imagined! Discover how a simple game played with peach baskets evolved over time into the complex sport we know and love today.

Hit a buzzer beater! Throw up a brick! Make it rain! Discover the meaning of these b-ball terms and more in Basketball Talk. This action-packed nonfiction book—created in partnership with Sports Illustrated Kids—presents wacky lingo and puzzling phrases from the game of basketball.

How do the best basketball players go from playing pick-up games on a neighborhood court to scoring big-time contracts in the NBA and WNBA? With hard work and determination! Discover the paths players take to turn their street ball and high school hoop dreams into college and professional careers.

Going to a basketball game? Give Elena Delle Donne a few extra seconds to say a few words before her free throw. And watch out for toilet paper at John Brown University's first home game. But first, take time out to learn the ins and outs of good fun and good luck in basketball. This book will delight young sports fan with some of the best and weirdest practices on the court and in the stands.

On opening night, a green dragon flies down to the Orlando Magic’s court on a zip line. At the Phoenix Suns’ arena, a goofy gorilla leaps off a trampoline and slams a big-time dunk. On the Chicago Bulls’ court, a fuzzy red bull shoots T-shirts into the crowd. Basketball fans love to laugh and cheer at the shenanigans of these and many other colorful mascots. Have a blast learning about the zaniest basketball mascots!

From tipoff to the final free throw, Goodnight Basketball follows a young boy as he says goodnight to his favorite sport. Author Michael Dahl (Goodnight Baseball, Goodnight Football, Goodnight Hockey, Goodnight Soccer), captures the thrill and excitement of the action on the court. This Sports Illustrated Kids book will have basketball fans everywhere cheering for bedtime!

When the clock is ticking down and the stakes are high, some players seize the moment and make themselves legends. From buzzer-beating half-court shots to thunderous last-second dunks, some of basketball's greatest moments are chronicled in vivid fashion here. You've got a courtside seat to the action.

Behind every big-time basketball record is a dramatic story of how a player or team achieved greatness on the court. From the greatest three-point shooters to the winningest teams of all time, here are the record-setting moments that will keep basketball fans tuned in for more.

James Harden was a top pick in the 2012 NBA draft, but he wasn’t an instant superstar. Harden worked tirelessly to improve his skill. His dedication paid off, both for him and the Houston Rockets.