Basketball Books for Independent Readers

Cover image for Gus and Grandpa at Basketball

Series: Gus and Grandpa

by Claudia Mills Illustrated by Catherine Stock

"A great intergenerational team." --"Kirkus Reviews" Gus loves basketball -- that is, basketball practice with Pete, the coach, and shooting baskets at Grandpa's house with only Grandpa's dog, Skipper, in attendance. Basketball games are another story.

Hoop Crazy!

by Eric Walters

-- chapter book format, large, readable type, appealing illustrations -- an ongoing series with settings both historical and contemporary -- well-developed plots, realistic characters and situations appropriate for the age group -- most titles on Accelerated Reader and Scholastic Reading Counts

Shoot for the Hoop

by Matt Christopher Illustrated by Karen Meyer

Rusty's parents do not want him to play basketball because of his diabetes, so Rusty, with the encouragement of his coach, must prove his ability to play.

Hoop Queens

by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Cheer on twelve professional women basketball players with a collection of vivid poems by Charles R. Smith Jr. set against vibrant photographs of the players in action.

Hoop Kings

by Charles R. Smith

Cheer on twelve top basketball pros with a dynamic collection of verse by Charles R. Smith Jr., set against vibrant photos of the players in action.

Leprechauns Don't Play Basketball

Series: Bailey School Kids, Book #4

by Marcia Thornton Jones , Debbie Dadey

There are some pretty weird grown-ups living in Bailey city. The Bailey School kids meet "Magic" O'Grady, who has more than the average tricks on the court. But could the very short basketball coach from Ireland really be a leprechaun?

The Baily School Kids are going to find out!

The Basketball Mystery

Series: Boxcar Children, Book #68

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Boxcar Children have joined a community basketball league and are thrilled when they find out that Buzz and Tipper Nettleton are coaching their team. But when Tipper's "Most Valuable Player" trophy goes missing, it's up to the Alden children to find out who's behind the trouble.

My Basketball Book

by Gail Gibbons Illustrated by Gail Gibbons

Basketball is a fun and exciting game. In this book, learn about the basics of the sport while reading about a game between the Comets and the Blasters.