Super Sports Star Kobe Bryant

Gr. 2-5. With large type, colorful photographs, and generous use of white space, books in the new Super Sports Star series will appeal to primary- and middle-grade readers looking for background material on their favorite sports heroes. In Penny Hardaway, Rappoport reports that though the boy grew up in a poor neighborhood, he had enough discipline, drive, and talent to make him a superstar, first with the Orlando Magic, then with the Phoenix Suns. Kobe Bryant tells the story of the L.A. Lakers' guard who learned to play basketball when his family lived in Italy, then became a top player in a U.S. high school, then in the NBA. Each book discusses the player's youth, high-school, and (if applicable) college sports activity and professional career. Sidebars provide sidelights, such as the origin of Kobe's name. Each book concludes with career statistics (ending with the 1999-2000 season), an address for the player, a glossary, and a list of books and Internet sites. Check the Series Roundup for volumes on other players. Carolyn Phelan
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