Hoop Kings

Sports Royalty

by Charles R. Smith Jr.

With pumping, energetic, rap-inspired wordplay, Charles R. Smith Jr. profiles the distinctive styles of the best players in basketball

Tim Duncan cashes in double-digit points by banking it off the backboard. Kevin Garnett makes his new-and-improved moves in 3-D. As for Shaquille O’Neal, just see what it might take to fill his gargantuan shoes (shown actual size). With pumping, energetic, rap-inspired wordplay, Charles R. Smith profiles the distinctive playing styles of twelve of the best male players in basketball.

An International Reading Association Children’s Choice

A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

A Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices List Selection

Back matter includes notes on the poems and an author’s note.

Genres: Poetry, Sports, Basketball, African American, Middle Grade

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

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

[Kellen Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hoop Kings" is a book written by Charles R. Smith Jr. This book specifically focuses on basketball and showcases the sport through a series of powerful poems. Smith's book delves into the lives of various basketball legends, both contemporary and historical, celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the sport. The book is not just a collection of poems but a homage to the sport and its iconic players. It's aimed at inspiring young readers to indulge in the game of basketball and to learn the stories of these legends.

[Adam James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles R. Smith, Jr. is the Kwame Alexander of 2003.
Unfortunately, he's also the Kwame Brown of 2003.


(Stephon Marbury?? You had to know that this book wouldn't age well, Robert. Why not use Kareem, or Wilt, or Magic? But Chris Webber? Jason Williams?! You actually sat down and thought about poetry to describe Jason Williams? Someone paid you money to sit at a desk and seriously reflect on the dwindling candle flame of talent that was White Chocolate, Jason Williams?!
Even Jason Williams is confused as to why Jason Williams is in here.)

But it's good! It's SO good! I mean, really just super good!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poems all about basketball! Beautifully written using engaging language and lots of literary devices. These poems feel alive.

[Julia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 100% recommend this book as poetry! It’s the best poetry book I’ve read

[JL Salty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read over the course of two weeks to curate collection for 7th grade poetry project.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith captures the personality and playing style of some outstanding NBA players from the 1990s with poems that beg to be read aloud. Highly recommended grades 3 +

[Krista Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each of these awesome poems is about a basketball player from a while ago - so it is dated in that aspect, but the poems would be great for models for students to write about their own sport greats. Strong visuals and movements both in the illustrations and the way the poems are laid out. Great for MS or Creative writing for HS.

[Jerrod Drye · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a good book for kids to read about some greats and what they did to be great

[Gautam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoop Kings, by Charles R. Smith Jr. is a collection of poems about NBA players, some who play now, and others who used to play. It was published in 2007, and is 40 pages long. It is a quick read, but it is really good.

Here is an excerpt from the book: (Read poem about Tracy McGrady)
I read this book because my brother Gaurav recommended it to me, and also because I need to read a poetry book for the Big 40. I enjoyed reading because of the language and word choice that the author used, and how there are "themes" for each poem (Read some themes). I recommened it to people who know about basketball, but although it won't make as much sense if you read it and you don't know about basketball, the word choice will make it enjoyable for you. Any questions?

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'm not a basketball fan, but Charles R. Smith's poetry is so rhythmic and descriptive that you can't help but be drawn in. I met the author at a local librarians' dinner, and was impressed by the fact that he doesn't just recite his poetry--he performs it. I particularly liked at the end of the book his notes on why he chose the images and poetic forms for his poems. Reluctant poetry readers might like this. Recommended.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhythmic poetry of Charles R. Smith in Hoop Kings was a lot of fun. Unfortunately a lot of the players listed have either retired or will retire soon. So it goes though in the world of professional sports. These poems do a great job of capturing the legacies of these athletes while they were on the court.

[Emerson School Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but awesome collection of spoken-word style odes to male basketball stars. Great for identifying and discussing assonance, alliteration, and meter. A fabulous selection for nonfiction poetry, National Poetry Month, and to pair with biography studies.

[Devin A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really like this book because it tells you poems about the person.
it also shows shaq real foot. mad big
interesting book.
read only if u like poems.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetic celebration of some of basketball's most celebrated players.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I'm not a basketball fan, there is some good use of poetic elements that I can use as examples for my male students who all love basketball. It's a win!

[TyReE´s BaRbErShOp]

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