Ten-year-old James has gone to the basketball court with his brother Nate many times, but one day a players injury actually gets him into the game with the older, stronger boys. James must guard powerful Marcus, whose strength intimidates him. James is skilled, but can he prove himself against the odds? John Coys lively prose and Leslie Jean-Barts dramatic photo collages deliver both the grit of the game and an important lesson about determination. Strong to the Hoop, offered here in Spanish as Directo al Aro, has won an ALA Notable Children's Book award. This eye-catching picture book blends photography and scratchboard drawings in a series of arresting mixed-media collages.... Publishers Weekly