Above the Rim

September 14, 2020
Bryant’s richly contextualized account of Elgin Baylor’s life, from his childhood in Washington, D.C., where the “nice parks” were “whites only,” to playing in the nascent NBA in a segregated U.S., shows how a star athlete used his influence to raise awareness and trigger change. Baylor’s astounding athletic talent and quiet character are presented in lyrical snapshots alongside key moments in the Civil Rights struggle, including “the courage of the first black students in Arkansas to sit down in an all-white classroom.” When Baylor sits out a 1959 NBA game to protest segregation, he joins activists who understand that “sometimes you have to sit down to stand up.” Morrison’s lengthened lines in his stylized oil-on-board illustrations sinuously depict Baylor’s gravity-defying grace. Includes author’s note and timeline. Ages 4–8.

September 15, 2020
A new generation of fans will be introduced to the legendary basketball player Elgin Baylor. Elgin Baylor experienced many barriers on his path to NBA success. He grew up in World War II-era Washington, D.C., in a time of segregated playgrounds and a general lack of access to public basketball equipment. Even when he became a prominent player for his all-Black high school's basketball team, local colleges would not allow him admission because they "wanted 'whites only.' " Yet Baylor persevered to become a professional basketball player during the height of the civil rights movement, snapshots of which are interleaved with the primary narrative: the Montgomery bus boycott, the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, a sit-in at a Wichita lunch counter. With Baylor's story, Bryant and Morrison demonstrate that NBA players have a long history of speaking (or, in Baylor's case, sitting) out against injustices in society. Bryant's spare, emphatic text relates how Baylor's Minneapolis Lakers were affected by Jim Crow and how his protest led to a change in NBA policy. Morrison's vibrant paintings emphasize Baylor's lithe athleticism, elongated arms and legs extending balletically. An author's note contextualizes Baylor's story, including the perhaps-surprising information that in his day, basketball was not nearly as popular as it is today. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.5-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 40.1% of actual size.) A timely read about an NBA player who spoke out against Jim Crow injustice. (further reading, notes, timeline) (Picture book/biography. 5-10)

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Starred review from September 1, 2020
Grades 2-5 *Starred Review* When Elgin Baylor was a child, Black players weren't allowed on public basketball courts in his hometown, Washington, D.C. But when he was 14, a hoop went up in a nearby field, and he developed an elegant, airborne playing style all his own. After college, he joined the Minnesota Lakers for the 1958-59 season. Once, they traveled to a West Virginia town where the hotels and restaurants served whites only. The team stayed at an integrated guest house, and Baylor ate sandwiches from the train station. When he refused to suit up for the game, watching from the bench instead, spectators complained. But soon the NBA announced that its teams would not patronize restaurants or hotels that practiced discrimination. After an exceptional season, Baylor was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. The text mentions milestones of the civil rights movement within the story and celebrates Baylor's principled stand against segregation as well as his notable basketball skills. Morrison's captivating oil paintings feature dramatic compositions, rich colors, and the artist's distinctive, elongated figures. Equally impressive is his ability to portray the emotional depths of individuals, from small-minded segregationists to heroes of the civil rights movement. Strong storytelling and riveting artwork make this a memorable picture book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from October 1, 2020

K-Gr 4-Bryant and Morrison team up to honor 11-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor (b. 1934). This captivating account chronicles Baylor's rise to basketball stardom in spite of the obstacles he faced in the segregated cities of his childhood and throughout his career. The poetic narrative captures Baylor's unique style of play in the early days of the NBA: "The way he played was so different that people stopped what they were doing and watched." This observation not only reflects those who witnessed Baylor's seemingly effortless and gravity-defying moves on the court, but it is used to describe those who stopped to watch the historic acts of courage of Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. Neither Baylor's influence nor Bryant's story is limited to the world of basketball. After Baylor staged his own peaceful protest against segregation during an NBA game in 1959, the league took its first steps toward recognizing and rectifying the discrimination that Black players faced as they traveled the country. Morrison's vibrant oil paintings fill the pages with personality, energy, and movement. His signature elongated figures are perfectly suited to depict the 6'5" baller. An author's note, suggested reading, notes, and an extensive time line enhance the value of this book. VERDICT This inspirational and timely portrait of a lesser-known hero of the sports world and the civil rights movement belongs in every school library.-Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs Sch., MA

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