Pass the Ball, Mo!

December 1, 2017
In this companion to Geisel Award-winning Don't Throw It to Mo! (2015), it's basketball season for small and mighty Mo Jackson, who must practice, practice, and practice before the big game. Everyone on the team is taller than the little black boy, and he's struggling to make sure his passes reach their hands. Coach Emma tries to help, but it's not coming easy. "I have to practice passing," Mo tells his dad on the walk home after practice. The big game is Saturday, and Mo's mom prepares him with a big breakfast. Mo and teammate Eve watch from the bench until Eve enters after halftime. The score remains close deep into the second half. Mo will finally have his chance, as his teammate Gail needs to get a rest. "Go in" Coach says, and everyone waits to see if Mo can do what he's been practicing all week. He's quickly backed into a crunch, with the overpowering adversary Big Max blocking his way. "Here goes," Max says as the book races to a surprising finish. The cartoon-styled, detailed illustrations allow emerging readers to follow the developing plot and make predictions using essential character context clues, while an ethnically diverse set of characters and equally diverse array of youth body types found within the story make for a well-rounded portrait of today's readers. Mo's mom and dad are both black, and Coach Emma is both brown-skinned and a woman. Executed well and fun to read, this is a great addition to an already acclaimed series. (Early reader. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2018

POPPreS-Gr 2-The newest title about the protagonist of Don't Throw It to Mo! and Get a Hit, Mo! is all about basketball. Mo is the shortest player on the Bees basketball team, but he has big dreams. He practices passing all the time ("'throw it higher, ' Coach Emma tells him")-at school, at home, even with blueberries into his cereal bowl. When the Bees play the Ducks, Mo is benched for most of the game but gets to come in at the end, when the score is tied. When Mo finally gets the ball, he passes it high-so high that he actually makes a basket and wins the game! The story ends with Coach Emma playfully telling him "it was a very bad pass. But your bad pass won the game." This charming story has many funny and relatable moments for sports lovers and underdogs, and shows the power of practicing and having the support of family, caring adults, teammates, and friends. There is a great deal of diversity featured in the illustrations-Mo and his family are African American, both basketball teams are coed, and the characters are majority people of color. The spot and full-page illustrations are simple, but with great character expression and movement. VERDICT Another enjoyable "Mo" sports story for beginning readers.-Jenny Berggren, Longfellow Middle School, Berkeley, CA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.