Amar’e Stoudemire. New York Knicks Power Forward. Six-time NBA All-Star. Author.
That’s right—in 2012, the NBA superstar Amar’e Stoudmire teamed with Scholastic Press to launch the STAT (Standing Tall and Talented), a chapter book series based on Stoudemire’s life. In STAT: Standing Tall and Talented #1: Home Court, we’re introduced to eleven-year-old Stoudemire as he and his friends band together to win back the neighborhood basketball court from a group of bullies. Kirkus notes that the book, “hits all the major points in encouraging boys to read: sports, peer relationships, the value of hard work and family support,” and helps to “address the dearth of chapter books featuring children of color positively engaged in the normal adventures of life.”
On his website, Stoudemire notes his commitment to turning kids, especially boys, into readers. He states, “I decided to write for 
children because although I am an avid reader now, I wish I had read more as a child. I hope that together with Scholastic, we can creatively inspire a new generation to read.”
With five books in the series so far, he seems to be making good on his goal.
The latest novel in the series, STAT: Standing Tall and Talented #5: Most Valuable is in stores now.
This sounds really positive – always good to see new books for boys.
These have been VERY popular in my library, but I really need to get about four copies of each title because they keep getting lost! Definitely a fantastic series for elementary and middle school readers. Just wish Scholastic would publish them in hard back.