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About The Book

New York Times bestselling team Deloris and Roslyn M. Jordan, Michael Jordan’s mother and sister, are back with this inspiring picture book about playing a good game, win or lose—featuring an introduction from Michael Jordan!

Jonathan loves playing with his friend Michael on the Badgers baseball team, but being a Badger isn’t always easy. Lately, his team has been striking out again and again, and Jonathan wants a win more than anything.

But Michael’s Uncle Jack tells the boys that there is a lot more to playing a good game than winning or losing like trying your best, being a team player, and having fun. Once Jonathan starts playing by Jack’s golden rules of baseball, his confidence returns, and win or lose, he feels like a winner.

About The Author

Deloris Jordan is Michael Jordan’s mother and the coauthor of Salt in His Shoes and Michael’s Golden Rules, illustrated by Kadir Nelson; Did I Tell You I Love You Today?, illustrated by Shane W. Evans; and Dream Big, illustrated by Barry Root. She is also the author of Family First: Winning the Parenting Game, a book highlighting the seven principles of parenting. Through her work with the James R. Jordan Foundation in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the Jordan Institute for Families at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mrs. Jordan is widely regarded as an advocate for children and families. The mother of five children and the grandmother of eleven, Mrs. Jordan lives in Chicago.

About The Illustrator

Kadir Nelson is an award-winning American artist whose works have been exhibited in major national and international publications, institutions, art galleries, and museums. Nelson’s work has won the Coretta Scott King Award, the Robert F. Sibert Award, two Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Awards, and the 2005 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. His beloved, award-winning, and bestselling picture books include We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball; Thunder Rose, written by Jerdine Nolen; Ellington Was Not a Street, written by Ntozake Shange; Salt in His Shoes, written by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan; and many more. Kadir lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (July 7, 2021)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534495784
  • Ages: 6 - 10

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Awards and Honors

  • Volunteer State Book Award Nominee (TN)

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Deloris Jordan

More books from this illustrator: Kadir Nelson