Bob Lanier is an actual former NBA star and basketball Hall of Famer, a fact that today’s Lebron devotees are unlikely to know. This book is loosely based on his childhood experiences.
L’il Dobber is starting the fourth grade and has made a new friend, Gan. Gan wishes he had a cool nickname like L’il Dobber does. As he joins L’il Dobber’s group of basketball playing friends (which includes a girl!) we learn that nicknames can be hurtful, not just cool.
I was thrilled to discover this series when I was a third grade teacher because they are written very simply, probably on a second or early third grade reading level, and yet the interest extends much higher than that. It’s a great choice for reluctant or struggling readers in third and fourth grade. Plus, it features diverse characters and teaches the kids an obvious lesson. It’s a winner of a beginning chapter book. (And the first in a series).
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – “shut up,”
Death, Violence and Gore – There’s a car accident, but no one is hurt.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.
