Amar'e Stoudemire book 'STAT' a slam dunk
"Home Court," the first book in the "STAT: Standing Tall and Talented" series by New York Knick Amar'e Stoudemire.
When I left for work one day this week, I told Harrison that he had to read at least two-thirds of the new book I brought home. He was already 10 pages into "Home Court" (Scholastic, $17.99 for hardcover/$5.99 for paperback), the first book in the "STAT: Standing Tall and Talented" series by New York Knick Amar'e Stoudemire.
As an 8-year-old who is spending as much of his summer vacation reading as he is frolicking on the beach, he groaned, feeling put upon.
My son finished the 144-page book by the end of the day.
The book is based on Stoudemire's life. Nicknamed STAT, Amar'e is an active 11-year-old boy who is good in school, helps out at his father's landscaping business and enjoys skateboarding. Then some bullies appear in his neighborhood pushing around his friends on the basketball court, and Amar'e steps in.
"I decided to write for children because although I am an avid reader now, I wish I had read more as a child," Stoudemire says in a statement. The NBA All Star went on to say he wants "to inspire a new generation to read."
Judging by the speed with which Harrison finished the book — my husband couldn't even get him off the couch to play — Stoudemire has apparently succeeded in his goal.
