Hoop Queens

Sports Royalty

by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Cheer on twelve professional women basketball players with a collection of vivid poems by Charles R. Smith Jr. set against vibrant photographs of the players in action.


Seven-foot-two-inch Margo Dydek blocks shots like a "Fly Swatter." Ticha Penicheiro feeds the ball to her teammates like a "Chef . . . mixing / and tossing / and chopping / and whipping." And then there’s "Fire Starter" Chamique Holdsclaw, rapidly racking up points and "blazing a trail with moves that scorch."

These are just three of the twelve women profiled by Charles R. Smith Jr. in a remarkable group of poems honoring the unique talents and determination of some of the best female players in professional basketball. With its arresting visual layout, action photographs on craft paper, and kinetic lyrics illustrating each player’s style, HOOP QUEENS will grab the attention of any kid who loves basketball - and score a slam-dunk with teachers of poetry. The book’s special cover treatment includes a cloth spine and cover stamping, giving a textured feel.

Genres: Poetry, Sports, Basketball, Childrens, Middle Grade

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2003

About the author

Charles R. Smith Jr. is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet with more than thirty books to his credit. His awards include a Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem "My People" and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his biography of Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. He is the author of Rimshots, Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Tall Tales, Short Takes, Diamond Life, and I Am America. A father of three himself, Charles brings his love of basketball and baseball right down to the toddler set in Let's Play Basketball! and Let's Play Baseball! His recent work celebrates subjects he's been interested in since he was a kid, such as The Mighty 12, which honors Greek gods and goddesses. He currently lives in Poughkeepsie, NY, with his wife, Gillian, and their three kids. You can visit him online at www.charlesrsmithjr.com.

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I'm not a basketball fan, I couldn't help but enjoy these poems. In fact, I thought these poems were actually better than the ones he wrote for Hoop Kings. Again, as with Hoop Kings, I enjoyed Charles R. Smith's notes at the end, when he explains why he chose the images and poetic forms he did for each poem. I met Smith at a dinner for local librarians, and was impressed then with the fact that he doesn't just recite his poetry--he performs it. Reluctant readers may enjoy this. Recommended!

[Kellen Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hoop Queens" is a book by Charles R. Smith Jr, that focuses on basketball but from the perspective of female players. Like "Hoop Kings," it offers a collection of poems or stories celebrating the achievements, skills, and stories of notable female basketball players, capturing their experiences, successes, and the impact they've made in the world of basketball. This book I liked a lot because it showcases some of my favorite female basketball players such as Dawn Staley, who is a coaching ideal of mine, and 11 other great women basketball players

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly the end of basketball season, and this book of poetry, highlighting a dozen female b-ball greats like A'Ja Wilson and Diana Taurasi, Charles R. Smith, Jr. writes a poem for each, and in his poem notes at the back, adds information about each one, and sometimes about his writing. For those young girls playing/watching/dreaming, one of which is a granddaughter and another is a neighbor's daughter, this will delight, may show what else can happen from their love of basketball!
The pages are filled with action as AP photos accompany the poems!

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles R. Smith Jr. pays tribute to some of the pioneers of modern women's basketball in poems that highlight the strengths of each athlete. The athletes featured herein have paved the way for so many more women and girls over the last 20 years, time for another volume!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In poppin' rhythm and rhyme, this thin poetry collection celebrates the athletic prowess of 12 WNBA players, circa 2003. Great for sports lovers, of course, but also for young students of verse.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d love to read a current version of this!

[Roshea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am doing my book report on hoops queens by Charles R. Smith Jr. This book has a total of 35 pages. This book is basically about female girls he enjoyed watching. This is a book with few poems. If you like poems and basketball you will enjoy this.
First i wanna start off by saying i really did enjoy this book. I like how he added multiple basketball players he thought was good instead of one. It was decent how he added rhythm to some of the poems. He wasn't dry with his poems he showed some excitement. I like how he moved the words around a little in some of the poems.
My favorite poem would have to been the one about Teresa Weatherspoon. That was my favorite cause I also like her as a basketball player. Also I like how he describe the way she play in action words. Also the words he used to describe her was on point. Altogether i enjoyed this poem the most.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it