Before basketball star Michael Jordan's name was uttered reverently in households all over the planet, young Michael was just a shrimpy kid trying to play ball with the big boys in the neighborhood. Tired of being teased by the biggest boy on the court, Michael is convinced the only solution is to grow taller. His mama smilingly suggests putting salt in his shoes and saying a prayer every night. His daddy tells young Michael that "Being taller may help you play a little better, but not as much as practice, determination, and giving your best will. Those are the things that make you a real winner." And so they are. At 6-foot-6, Michael may not have grown up to be the tallest player on the court, but he sure did turn out to be one of the best!

As his mother and his sister, Deloris Jordan and Rosalyn Jordan are in a pretty good position to tell us all about what made Michael a star. They create an image of a cozy, loving family life any child would be happy to come home to. Award-winning illustrator Kadir Nelson's oil pictures of the gangly little Michael with hyperlong arms and oversized hands capture the preteen potential as well as his gawky grace. This warm, uplifting story will encourage young readers to chase their dreams with hard work and faith. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter


From Publishers Weekly
Michael Jordan's mother and sister team up for an inspirational story about this athlete's earliest on-court efforts. Nelson (Big Jabe) is also a strong player here; he contributes animated art, rendered in a cartoon style that is informal yet polished. In the opening scenario, a bully intimidates young Jordan during a basketball game at a neighborhood park, causing him to flub a pass. Michael tells his older brothers, "I am really sorry, guys. If I were taller that wouldn't have happened." When he asks his mother what will make him grow, she advises him to put salt in his shoes and say a prayer every night. Though he obligesDand continues to practice shooting baskets at homeDhis efforts don't immediately pay off. One day, his father convinces him that, rather than being tall, "practice, determination, and giving your best" are the keys to being "a real winner," and Michael runs off to join his brothers in the park, where he makes the game's winning shot. Though the book ends with a rather facile slam-dunk, the authors offer authoritative insight into this six-foot-six-inch-tall hoopster's boyhood spunk as well as reassurance to young athletes impatient for a growth spurt. Nelson handily balances in-your-face on-court action with more reflective portraits of the player's inner growth. All ages. (Nov.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-Deloris Jordan tells of an episode in her famous son's childhood in which the future superstar yearned to be a better basketball player. Michael wished to be taller so that he could compete with the bigger kids, particularly one member of an opposing team. His mother suggested that a combination of salt in his shoes, patience, and prayer would do the trick. Michael, seeing his mother's success with plants, agreed to give it a try, but after several months, he was disappointed to see that he was still the same size. While his mother prayed, he practiced instead of playing but still he didn't grow. When he told his father that he needed to be taller, his father explained that he was already a great player because of his heart, and that "practice, determination, and giving your best" were the things that made someone a winner. Michael returned to playing basketball and made the winning basket for his brothers' team. This readable and entertaining story will delight the superstar's fans. Nelson's illustrations bring the right blend of vivid color, realism, and personality, giving youngsters plenty of details to pore over between readings. It should read aloud well for younger children and their parents, and independent readers will enjoy it on their own.Jeffrey A. French, Euclid Public Library, OHCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Ages 5-9. Who better to tell the story of young Michael Jordan than Michael's mother? This fictionalized tale finds Michael ready to give up his basketball dreams because he is the shortest boy on his team. His brothers try to encourage him and tell him what a good player he is, to no avail. Finally Mrs. Jordan offers her wit and wisdom: put some salt in your shoes and say a prayer every night. Of course what really makes him "grow" is his hard work and determination, as his father reminds him. This is an inspirational tale, tailor-made for young fans of the superstar. The large format and the bold, handsome illustrations will also delight those fans--or anyone who loves a good story. Denia Hester
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books A picture-book winner.

Boston Herald [A] slam-dunk effort.

Chicago magazine An inspiring piece of Jordaniana.


Review
Miami Herald The power of myth-in-the-making.


Review
Miami Herald The power of myth-in-the-making.

ANNOTATION

Young Michael Jordan, who is smaller than the other players, learns that determination and hard work are more important than size when playing the game of basketball.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Michael Jordan. The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he'd never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That's when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion -- patience, determination, and hard work.

Deloris Jordan, mother of the basketball phenomenon, teams up with his sister Roslyn to tell this heartwarming and inspirational story that only the members of the Jordan family could tell. It's a tale about faith and hope and how any family working together can help a child make his or her dreams come true.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Michael Jordan's mother and sister team up for an inspirational story about this athlete's earliest on-court efforts. "The authors offer authoritative insight into the hoopster's boyhood spunk as well as reassurance to young athletes impatient for a growth spurt," wrote PW. All ages. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Michael Jordan's mother and sister team up for an inspirational story about this athlete's earliest on-court efforts. Nelson (Big Jabe) is also a strong player here; he contributes animated art, rendered in a cartoon style that is informal yet polished. In the opening scenario, a bully intimidates young Jordan during a basketball game at a neighborhood park, causing him to flub a pass. Michael tells his older brothers, "I am really sorry, guys. If I were taller that wouldn't have happened." When he asks his mother what will make him grow, she advises him to put salt in his shoes and say a prayer every night. Though he obliges--and continues to practice shooting baskets at home--his efforts don't immediately pay off. One day, his father convinces him that, rather than being tall, "practice, determination, and giving your best" are the keys to being "a real winner," and Michael runs off to join his brothers in the park, where he makes the game's winning shot. Though the book ends with a rather facile slam-dunk, the authors offer authoritative insight into this six-foot-six-inch-tall hoopster's boyhood spunk as well as reassurance to young athletes impatient for a growth spurt. Nelson handily balances in-your-face on-court action with more reflective portraits of the player's inner growth. All ages. (Nov.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

This book is dedicated to all children who have dreams. Learning about the struggles that Michael Jordan encountered as he pursued his childhood dream will help other children recognize that they, too, can achieve their dreams. When Michael was a child he played basketball with his older brothers and their teammates. Because he was shorter than they were, he wasn't able to make the baskets. So he considered giving up his desire to play basketball because he feared that he would never be tall enough to play. The encouragement and support from his big brothers and parents, with a little salt in his shoes, helped Michael recognize that patience, determination and working hard are the key ingredients for achieving ones goals. 2000, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,

School Library Journal