Review Detail

“Who Got Game? Basketball: Amazing But True Stories!” by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Jez Tuya, has a variety of different sections in the contents. This nonfiction book covers premier pioneers who got the game started, like Julius “Dr. J” Erving, George Mikan, and “Muggsy” Bogues, to sensational stories about glass-shattering dunks and aerial excellence, on to radical records such as the highest-scoring game ever and the three-point king, to triumphant turnarounds in the game.

The sport itself is covered in quite a bit of detail, from its history to journeys of individual players. Coaches and radio announcers are also covered, and there are so many statistics, dates, and other similar details lining the pages, any sports lover will find more than enough to enjoy. Some of the greatest coach quotes are also outlined toward the back of the book, along with a glossary, tips and resources, and some more engaging content to add to the reading experience.

Anyone who listens to sports radio, likes going to games, or merely enjoys learning new facts will find so much wonder in this book. Plus, for anyone who wants to learn more about another sport—baseball—there is a book just like this one about that sport as well, also by Derrick Barnes.