Wish I Was a Baller

Gr 5 Up–Shah’s coming-of-age story of growing up in Orlando, wanting to play ball and get the girl, and how he eventually became a journalist, is an excellent example of what happens when passion is combined with hustle. This graphic novel captures the journey of falling in love with a sport, chasing a dream, stumbling through failures, and picking back up again to push forward. Through the narrative, readers discover that even if success isn’t guaranteed, the memories become wins in their own right. While Shah glosses over some of the events of the time, both in sports and culture, his own story is thoughtfully and thoroughly explored with a diverse cast of friends, people who help him (including Shaq), and those who try to stop him. With so few graphic novels centered around basketball, this stands out as a refreshing addition to collections. Doucet’s illustrations perfectly reflect the time period of the 1990s, blending the idea of the baller and hip-hop culture into the tale, all while keeping the book accessible to younger readers. The pages are fun and lively, with bright colors capturing the vibrancy of the basketball teams and Orlando culture.