• Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball - Ingram
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Harry N. Abrams, 2020-06-10

Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball

Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball

Jen Bryant, Author

Frank Morrison, Illustrator

Hardcover

9781419741081

$19.99 USD
$19.99 USD
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"Though not as widely known as other basketball legends, hall-of-famer Elgin Baylor was one of the game's all-time greatest players-an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. A member of the early, scrappy NBA and one of the first professional African American players, Elgin (b. 1934) played in the late 1950s and early 1960s for the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers, taking risks on and off the court. Known for his acrobatic style of moving and shooting, he inspired others to get creative with their game. But when traveling for away games, hotels and restaurants weren't as welcoming of Elgin as they were of his white teammates. Together, Elgin and his teammates boycotted places practicing segregation until the entire NBA followed suit. From picture book powerhouses Jen Bryant and Frank Morrison, Above the Rim is a peek into the early days of the NBA, a poetic telling of the life of an under-known athlete, and a celebration of standing up for what is right"--
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With poetic narration and striking visuals, this biography honors Elgin Baylor’s quiet courage in confronting injustice. His stand for dignity off the court resonates as deeply as his grace on it.

Keywords and Themes: Activism & Social Justice • African American & Black • Basketball • Biography & Autobiography • Boys & Men • Character • Civil & Human Rights • Courage • Dignity • Equality • History • Honor • Inspiration • Integrity • Justice • Juvenile Nonfiction • Responsibility • Social Activists • Social Topics • Sports & Recreation • United States - 20th Century

Age Range • 4-8

Pages • 40

Subjects • Biographies • Baylor • Elgin • Basketball players • United States • African Americans • Segregation

Categories • Juvenile Nonfiction | Sports & Recreation | Basketball • Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists • Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Sports & Recreation • Juvenile Nonfiction | Boys & Men • Juvenile Nonfiction | African American & Black • Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Civil & Human Rights • Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States - 20th Century • Juvenile Nonfiction | Activism & Social Justice

Winner of the 2021 Orbis Pictus Award, Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball is a picture book biography of the basketball legend from award-winning creators Jen Bryant and Frank Morrison.

"A new generation of fans will be introduced to the legendary basketball player Elgin Baylor. . . . A timely read about an NBA player who spoke out against Jim Crow injustice." --Kirkus Reviews

"Inspirational and timely." --School Library Journal

Before there was Michael Jordan or LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo, there was Elgin Baylor, shooting, passing, and soaring through the air like no basketball player before him. Here is the story of the basketball icon and African American civil rights advocate, told with beautiful artwork and poetic text:

"In one smooth move,
like a plane taking off,
he would leap . . .
higher and higher
and higher--
as if pulled by some invisible wire,
and just when it seemed
he'd have to come down,
no!"

Hall-of-famer Baylor was one of basketball's greatest players--an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. One of the first professional African American players, he inspired others on and off the court. But when traveling for away games, many hotels and restaurants turned Elgin away because he was Black.

One night, Elgin had enough and staged a one-man protest that captured the attention of the press, the public, and the NBA. With lyrical, moving text from an award-winning author and exquisite, slam-dunk illustrations from an award-winning artist, Above the Rim is a peek into the early days of the NBA, a poetic telling of the life of an under-recognized African American athlete, and a celebration of standing up for what's right.

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