Stoudemire fits neatly into the Basketball Heroes Making a Difference series. His good works match his excellent on-court performance. Sandler begins with the power forward leading the New York Knicks to an eighth straight victory in 2010. The section ends with Stoudemire telling his team, "The sky's the limit," which turns out to be the same words his father said to him before he died, when Stoudemire was just 12. This phrase runs through the book (perhaps a bit too often), but that doesn't distract much from the inspiring story of a boy who came from a rough neighborhood, whose family was often in trouble with the law, and who eschewed college to jump into the NBA. But Stoudemire has not forgotten his troubled roots and has started charities in Phoenix and New York, providing school supplies and educational opportunities. He has also reached out to Africa with a charity that helps with basic necessities such as wells for unpolluted water. The bright, eye-catching design provides a fine background for dynamic photos. The back matter is more about the glossary than further reading, but it adds info.

These consistent titles begin with details of game-winning moments and continue on to introduce the athletes' childhoods, challenges overcome, and their successful NBA careers. The entries each conclude with the subject's charitable work, such as the Wade's World Foundation, dedicated to helping "kids who are growing up in difficult situations." The attractive, clean book design complements the focused texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

SANDLER, Michael . Derrick Rose . ISBN 978-1-61772-439-8 ; ISBN 978-1-61772-484-8 . LC 2011039985. SANDLER, Michael . Dwayne Wade . ISBN 978-1-61772-441-1 ; ISBN 978-1-61772-485-5 . LC 2011039986. SANDLER, Michael . Kevin Durant . ISBN 978-1-61772-440-4 ; ISBN 978-1-61772-486-2 . LC 2011040256. ea vol: 24p. (Basketball Heroes Making a Difference Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Bearport . 2012. PLB $23.93; ebook $30.60. Gr 2-4 Even as it celebrates the on-court success of these NBA superstars, this series places equal weight on their charitable works. Each slim volume follows a star from his youth, including the role family played in his life, to the present, with a generous helping of full-page color photographs. The bibliographies contain articles from major publications, and Sandler enlivens the text with quotations. Though the titles lack clearly stated basic facts (dates of birth, for example) and other information that would have fleshed out the lives of these athletes, young basketball fans will surely enjoy the photographs and stats about the game.