New York,
NY (January
12,
2005) --
The National Basketball Association and Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, today announced the launch of an exciting new line up of NBA licensed children's books for 2005. Scheduled to roll out in March 2005, the NBA books will be supported by a nationwide in-school “
Motivate Me” essay contest through Scholastic Book Clubs, created to encourage kids to pen a slam-dunk essay and get the chance to meet LeBron James at a Cleveland Cavaliers game. To help celebrate and promote reading, James will host a special book fair event at a local Cleveland elementary school next spring. In addition, Scholastic Classroom Magazines, Scope® and Action® will profile LeBron James in upcoming issues due out next spring. Since the inception of the publishing partnership in 1996, the NBA and Scholastic have published nearly 50 children's books together.
The 2005 collection of four NBA titles features two
NBA Readers, a leveled reading series for early readers based on the biographies of NBA stars, LeBron James and Tim Duncan, as well as two other exciting new titles,
NBA Superstars and
NBA Game Day 2005.
“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with the NBA and to offer a terrific new line of books that appeal to children's interests and reading level,” said Ellie Berger, Senior Vice President, Scholastic Trade Division.
In conjunction with the launch of the new NBA-licensed books, Scholastic Book Clubs will introduce an in-school essay writing contest, “
Motivate Me,” which will be featured in the January issue of Arrow® Book Clubs (grades 4-6). Students will be asked to write an essay of 500 words or less about what drives and motivates them. They are also encouraged to use real-life examples of how a particular source of motivation has helped them to reach a specific goal. One grand-prize winner (and a chaperone) will be awarded an all-expenses paid trip to meet NBA star, LeBron James and attend a Cleveland Cavaliers game. The recipient of this prize, along with ten second-place winners will also receive a subscription to NBA
Inside Stuff magazine, an official NBA basketball, and two Motivate Me! Libraries, including
NBA Reader: LeBron James - one for the classroom and one for home.
The “
Motivate Me,” essay writing contest is part of NBA Read to Achieve, a year-round campaign to help young people develop a life-long love of reading and encourage adults to read regularly with children.
“NBA Players understand that reading is the foundation for success in life, and through our Read to Achieve program and our partnership with Scholastic, we are working to help young people build a life-long love of reading,” said Charlie Rosenzweig, Vice President of Entertainment and Player Marketing.
The
NBA Reader: LeBron James offers an inside look at the life of one of the NBA's most recognizable and youngest players to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award (2003-04). Fans can also get up close and personal with Tim Duncan, one of the NBA's biggest stars who helped lead the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Championship - twice, in the upcoming
NBA Reader: Tim Duncan.
Complete with colorful photos and detailed facts and figures,
NBA Superstars profiles 14 of the NBA's top players, including Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Tracy McGrady, and many more. This book offers readers an invaluable resource loaded with the latest information and the hottest highlights of the NBA's brightest stars. Produced in an oversized format, the book also includes 14 full-page photographs suitable for framing. Providing more of an insider's perspective,
NBA Game Day 2005 takes each reader through the locker room and on the road, offering an insightful behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of today's hottest sports. From pre-game speeches to game day rituals, this book gives readers and basketball fans an extraordinary point of view to a whole new ballgame.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site,
www.scholastic.com .
About NBA Read to Achieve
Reaching an estimated 50 million children a year, the NBA Read to Achieve program is the most extensive educational outreach initiative in the history of professional sports. Efforts of the program include the donation of more than a million books and magazines through a variety of reading events and incentive programs, as well as the development of essay contests and on-line programs. In an effort to provide greater access to books and technology, the NBA and its teams, along with companies such as RIF®, Disney and Dell® have also created more than 90 Reading and Learning Centers and more than 80 Reading Corners throughout North America, South America and in South Africa. In addition to being supported by all NBA, WNBA and NBDL teams, Read to Achieve is supported by the NBA's officials, coaches, parents and wives of players organizations, and the NBA Players Association and Retired Players Association.