by Kevin Sylvester
Annick Press, 2017
ISBN 978-1-55451-931-6 (pb) $12.95, 90 pp, ages 9 – 12
annickpress.com
Basketballogy is a large format non-fiction description of the history, sociology, and science of basketball. The story begins in the best of places, at the beginning, recounting the story of James Naismith and the birth of the game on a winter day in 1891. This is a full-colour book filled with pictures and diagrams to accompany the rich text. More than simply a non-fiction description of the game, the book includes a trivia game based on the ideas covered in the text, two pages of references, suggested further readings, and a full index. In only 90 pages, Basketballogy addresses a plethora of academic and social issues to interest any reader interested in the game.
Curriculum Connections: This book can easily be read cover to cover or used as a quick and easy reference for specific interests or projects. Almost every academic curriculum issue is covered. There are charts, graphs, and measurements for math. There is a section on the physics of shooting, arcs and angles, geography, civil rights, and women’s issues. The sports-minded student and the researcher will definitely find this book worthy of a close look.
Review by Kent Miller.
This review is from Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Fall 2019 issue.