I Got Next: A Rhythmic Picture Book for Children (Ages 4-8) About Basketball and African American Joy

by Daria Peoples-Riley

It’s game day! In this action-packed picture book from Daria Peoples-Riley, the creator of the acclaimed This Is It, a young basketball player gets ready for a neighborhood pickup game.

A young basketball player practices on the playground, preparing for an upcoming pickup game while his shadow urges him to play hard and leave his heart on the court. As the boy dribbles and weaves, shoots and scores, his shadow gives him the encouragement he needs to overcome pregame jitters and join the competition.

In the companion to her debut picture book This Is It, author-illustrator Daria Peoples-Riley praises hard work, dedication, and the love of the game. With vibrant artwork and a lively, rhythmic text, I Got Next is an exceptional read-aloud. The perfect choice for fans of Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, by Derrick Barnes, and Jabari Jumps, by Gaia Cornwall.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Childrens, Basketball, Fiction, African American, Realistic Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 30, 2019

About the author

Daria Peoples-Riley’s first job was at nine years old, in the children’s section of her hometown library. Much later, she became a teacher, and now she is a full-time author and illustrator. This Is It is her first picture book, inspired by her daughter, her rich cultural background, and their first visit to New York City. She lives with her family in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are great but the story is confusing.

[Niki Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to sell this basketball gem! I love the expressive mean mug "game faces" on the back of the book and between the covers--the scrunched eyebrows and firm mouths. The lyrical, bouncing prose follows a kid as they psych themselves up to volunteer to play the winner of the basketball game currently happening on the outdoor court. This book would make a great pair with CROWN, and not just because it too features a barbershop: they both center the self-confidence and -assurance of black boys. Lovely colors, lovely movement, lovely message.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up at the library and my daughters enjoyed listening to me read it

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. I was already familiar with Ms. Peoples-Riley's work from her last book, This is It, and was excited to hear she was writing a basketball book next. The art is wonderful - with so much detail. The writing has a rhythm to it appropriate to the game of basketball too. The end papers are lovely too, and powerful with the message of "We live here", and pictures of influential African Americans, and simple but powerful one word messages like "poetry", "stories" and "peace".

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We meet the young boy headed to the basketball court, outside a bodega, sneakers thrown over the wires. The edge of the mural at the left edge of the page is familiar to the endpapers. We turn the page to see him approach the cinema with a poster that looks familiar to Peoples-Riley earlier work: the cover of This Is It. He’s headed to the barbershop next door, meanwhile his shadow, wearing a cap, holding a ball announces: It’s game day!

We’re transported to the neighborhood court nearby. The shadow urges the boy to get ready. He’s got to get his game face on. It takes some tries. But it isn’t just about posture, so the shadow wants to see his skills. He shows that he knows what he’s doing, keeping up with the shadow’s prompts (which reads like an imagined scenario whispered under a lone player’s voice). He makes the shot.

The shadows voice is taken up by its owner’s:

Shadow: They might be stronger, faster, quicker—
Boy: I’ll leave my heart on the court.

Their exchange continues. Continuing in the intensity the narrative has been building. A coach, an oath-taker. He’s ready. He’s been reminded that he has what it takes.

Unexpected is how ‘I got next!’ closes with a collective pronoun: it isn’t just the boy (no long accompanied by his shadow) who’s got next. It is all the boys on the court. The boy’s dream a shared one: to be able take their chance to play; to show what they’ve got; to maybe win.

The scope of the book’s world is a small part of a neighborhood, spaces where a community would convene. It’s an urban world awash in gray with moments of color, a small tree, bush, brush... The blue tint of a building. The backdrop leaves nothing to distract from the expression and movements of the boy and the ball. He is the life and color on the court, green number one jersey and brown skin. That face, and the tilt of his head. He brings an intensity, translating the words into action. He has a plan. He just needs a chance, he needs to announce himself: I Got Next!

Under the author’s bio on the jacket, Daria Peoples-Riley writes: “Though this is a basketball story it is also a visual story about thriving, living things, and people in neighborhoods threatened by gentrification.” A good point (and opportunity) to explore in conversation when sharing this read.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my full review here: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...

I GOT NEXT is a picture book about self-confidence. A boy encourages himself to challenge the other kids who are playing to play him next. With fun though minimal dialogue about playing basketball and game faces, the book is really about encouraging yourself to make new friends.

What I loved: Always great to have books which feature diverse children, and this is a fun one. With minimal dialogue and colorful pictures, children will enjoy this brief read about basketball. The underlying messages are about self-encouragement and self-confidence. The text goes artfully with the images, and it is overall just plain fun.

Final verdict: This is a colorful and fun book about encouraging yourself to make new friends. With basketball and brief dialogue, children will enjoy making their own game faces and learning to say I GOT NEXT!

[Molly Rauch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I GOT NEXT by Daria Peoples-Riley tells the story of a young basketball player who does not quite have the confidence yet to join a neighborhood pickup game, despite his shadow’s eagerness and readiness to play. As the boy practices on the playground, his shadow urges him to play hard and provides encouragement to overcome pregame nerves so the boy can join the game, ready to try his best.
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With plenty of game faces and basketball drills, the collaged artwork with its gouache effect and watercolor on paper wonderfully complements the bounciness of the text, which is perfect for reading aloud. The themes of self-confidence and perseverance will resonate with elementary readers and encourage kids to practice, put on their game faces, and say, “I GOT NEXT.”
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Favorite Line:
“I’ll leave my heart on the court.”
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Suggested Reading Age: K-Grade 3

[Christina Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was heading for a 4-star rating when I paused for a moment because all things combined (the text and the art), this story is bigger than a pickup game of basketball played on the neighborhood courts, especially as you take in the illustrations on the endpapers (the mural "We live here"). There you'll find a beautiful representation of seeds sown by some of those who came before us, paving the way for all manner of dreams and pursuits to be realized. Daria Peoples-Riley's work encourages the reader to work hard, play to win, and not give up because "We. Got. Next."

I look forward to adding this book to our collection. It would make a great addition to our K-5 library. I will plan to also read Daria's debut picture book, This is it.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Sports: Basketball
Author identity: Mixed

A boy's shadow amps him up in order to do his best on the neighborhood court. A fantastic way to show that motivation and perseverance can come from within and the power of a positive self-image. The dialogue is perfect for reading-aloud and audience participation. I would love to see a room full of kids put on their GAME FACE.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy's shadow amps him up in order to do his best on the neighborhood court. A fantastic way to show that motivation and perseverance can come from within and the power behind a positive self-image. The dialogue is perfect for reading-aloud and audience participation. I would love to see a room full of kids put on their GAME FACE.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations here, collaged with photographs, watercolors, and cut paper, are gorgeous. The concept, of a boy's shadow encouraging him to play his best game of basketball on the neighborhood court, is exciting. I can't wait to share this with a storytime and ask the kids what they think is going on in these conceptual illustrations.

Themes: Games, Empowerment, Shadows

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pick up game of basketball in this neighborhood starts with putting on your game face. (I was sold at that point that I needed this book in my school library.) This is a fun read aloud that my students love to pull. Those who love basketball already will learn great game vocabulary in this story and those who don't yet love the game are likely to be drawn in by this story!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's game day at the playground basketball courts, and a young player while waiting his turn to play gets some inspiration from his fellow teammate to do his best and be ready by putting on his game face.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy psyches himself up to play basketball against the slightly older boys at the park. There's definitely a rhythm to the words--they're almost lyrics.

Good for older kid and preschool storytimes.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’ll leave my heart on the court.”

It’s game day and it’s time for a young boy to get ready to play ... to put his game face on and win the game. Even if it’s only a playground game, he must “play to win.”

[Ellie Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked how this book read, flowed really well. I liked the story, really fun. I feel like him talking to his shadow/imaginary friend was a little confusing at first but I ended up liking it in the end!

[Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot wait to do this in storytime!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy practices his basketball skills so he can play with others. Preschool and up

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collage illustrations. Spare poetry text. Beautiful and empowering.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't my favorite.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lyrical picture book; read like a poem. Beautiful illustrations as well.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The message was okay, if not a little muddled.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite.

[Wylaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

basketball, game face

[Amanda Geske · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ankles. I break ‘em.”

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read my review and interview with Daria at my blog. https://peacefulheartstoriesandart.bl...

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy's shadow urges him to put on his game face and encourages him to find his confidence and join in the game.

Wonderful vibrant illustrations!

[Allie Outhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly delightful despite socioeconomic grammar.

[John]

Read with Daddy
Great review from Dad!!

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy talks to his shadow? imaginary friend? and psychs himself up to join in the neighborhood pickup game of basketball.