I Got Next

PreS-Gr 3–As a young black boy prepares for a basketball game, his shadow encourages him to put his game face on. This figure accompanies and inspires the boy as he practices various basketball techniques. This book’s illustrations wonderfully capture an urban setting with a variety of gray, navy, and pastel hues. Watercolors are used to add a beautiful and soft touch to the cityscape. The boy’s realistic expressions capture his dedication and focus. Throughout the book, his game face becomes a central focal point for readers. The text appears to follow the boy as he dribbles a basketball; it cleverly captures the sense of movement and energy of the illustrations, echoing the play-by-play and reflecting patterns of dialogue often used by sport players completely immersed in a highly energetic game. Basketball terminology is seamlessly woven into this story by combining them with the boy’s demonstration of various techniques. The rhythmic narrative has a soothing flow, making it ideal for read alouds.