  | Legend of gravity : a tall basketball tale Author: Palmer, Charly | |
| Price: $24.48 | ||
Summary:
Gravity is the new kid on the Hillside Projects basketball team, the Eagles. With Gravity on their side, the Eagles feel unstoppable. But when they face-off against the Flyers in the final round of Milwaukee's pick-up basketball tournament, they realize that it may take a little more than Gravity to bring them to victory.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 4.60 Points: .5 Quiz: 517416 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (12/01/21)
School Library Journal (04/08/22)
Booklist (12/15/21)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/12/21)
The Hornbook (+) (00/01/22)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 12/15/2021 Palmer, recipient of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Illustrator Award for New Talent, spins twin tributes to teamwork and to the unrecognized playground greats of his Milwaukee youth with this soaring tale of a b-ball squad’s ride to glory behind their newest member—nicknamed “Gravity” because he jumped so high that everyone on the “Eagles” could go for ice cream before he came down. Possessing more than jaw-dropping ball skills, he’s wise enough to know when it’s time for a pep talk. “I can’t win this game,” he tells the team. “But WE can.” Following initial introductions, the figures often lose distinctive features in the impressionistic illustrations, but the players wear identifying jerseys with the numbers of NBA giants, and the loose, vigorous brushwork captures plenty of speed and vertical motion in the action scenes. The tale is likewise delivered by the Eagles’ one girl player with proper fast-break pacing. A high-stepping solo debut, with hardly any exaggeration. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 04/08/2022 K-Gr 4—A tall tale straight from the neighborhood basketball court. With elongated figures that show emotion and action without being overly literal, the art joins with the story to capture a summer of basketball and an enigmatic hero. "Gravity," as his teammates soon name him, arrives on the neighborhood court one day and quickly finds a dominant place on the team with his impressive basketball skills. The team comes to rely on him and his prowess as they make their way to the neighborhood championship. In the end, Gravity cannot do it all on his own but teaches his friends the valuable lesson of the importance of teamwork. This highly inspiring tale has a great deal of heart and will appeal to readers who enjoy basketball and characters who inspire. The art is expressive and sophisticated; combined with the story, this makes for an outstanding addition to the canon of tall tales. VERDICT A brand new tall tale that will encourage readers to invent or locate heroes of their own. Include this immensely engaging tribute to the power of being part of a team into any sports book collection.—John Scott - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
