Pass the Ball, Mo!

Mo Jackson

by David A. Adler, Sam Ricks (Illustrator)

Mo may not be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest basketball player, but he won't let that stop him from playing! This Step 2 reader from Geisel Award winner David Adler is now in Step into Reading!

Mo's latest obsession is basketball. He's determined to learn how to pass, but as the shortest member of the team, he can't seem to launch the ball high enough. Can Mo learn to pass in time to help his team win the big game?

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories, for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

Genres: Sports, Picture Books, Basketball, Childrens, African American, Realistic Fiction, Cultural

32 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2021

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third episode of Mo's adventures with sports, Mo takes on basketball, though he is the shortest person on the team. Mo has troubles passing but determinedly practices passing and vows to improve while patiently waiting out his long time on the bench.

This is a tiny little book ideal for those just learning to put together short paragraphs of text on a page. More than just the text, though, it's a wonderful story of a child who doesn't have a lot of natural ability yet has the strength of character to work hard and wait. And it's quite fun.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo Jackson is trying hard to do his best in basketball. Though he is the shortest one on the team, he's got plenty of heart. His coach has him working on passing. He works at practice and at home. When game time comes, can he make a good pass when it counts?

I like that Mo doesn't quite get it together like he had hoped. So often for little sportsmen and sportswomen they have plenty of heart but are still working on the skills. And that is true for Mo too. Mo works hard, which is a great example for kids. They'll never get better without working on their weaknesses. It doesn't quite work like he had hoped, but it makes for a good story twist. Hand this to little sports fans who are just starting to read.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo doesn't let his short stature or time spent on the bench discourage him from practicing and doing his best. This time Mo is determined to become a better passer on the basketball court. He gets help from his father before the big game. Young readers will definitely be able to relate to Mo's excitement when his turn comes to help his teammates. Easy-to-read text and fun illustrations will make this a popular book on the primary bookshelf.

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another entry in the series about Mo Jackson, a sports-loving kid. Although not as good as "Don't Throw It To Mo!", this is still a good story about taking charge of your interest, pursuing it, and working hard at it. Mo ultimately finds success through his perseverance, even if the winning shot he made for the game wasn't entirely intentional.

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo struggles being the shortest one on his basketball team. His dad works with him so he can pass high enough to the other players. On game day he gets into trouble when a huge defender is on him. Will his pass be high enough? In a funny turn of events, it is high enough to score! His team wins because of his basket. We always need more sports books! Cute, fun, and even funny. Love the multicultural illustrations.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/23/2020 ~ What do you do when you love a sport, but you don't have a lot of talent? Practice, practice, practice. I appreciate that this story has a character of color. I'm always looking for more Early Readers with people of color.

(I do get a bit weary that Mo is always able to save the day at the end of the story. Life doesn't always play out quite that way.)

I will be purchasing this series for my elementary library.)

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of adorable - this kid is about as good at sportsball as I am. :-p Better, actually, since he actually managed to accomplish something. Heck, he made the team in the first place, even if it is just Bitty Basketball!

Good emphasis on practice, but since it all comes down to luck in the end, I'm not sure how much of "practice to improve" will stick with readers.

[Mrs. Mazzola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute installment in the Mo series. He's a sports-loving kid who is friendly and hardworking. I love the representation in this series, but this particular book is not exceptional. And though I recognize the desire for a neatly wrapped-up and happy conclusion, the ending is a bit far-fetched for me. Good addition for collections where there are already fans of the series.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series and this one does not disappoint. Mo is working hard to play on his basketball team. He is having trouble passing/throwing since he is shorter than the rest of the team. Colorful illustrations make this a fun book for kids. I love the twist at the end. Great for boys in Grades K-1. Highly recommended.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover is what first caught; loved the look on Mo's face! I also loved the part: "They pass the ball. They shoot the ball. Sometimes it goes in. Most times it doesn't." (I identify!) Hooray for Mo and hard work and good attitudes.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute story about Mo, who really wants to play basketball. It's hard for Mo because he's short! But his supportive family helps him practice and he ends up contributing to the team in ways no one expects.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing twist on the end of this one. I liked it as much as Don't Throw It to Mo!. Good for young readers.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great sports themed beginning reader about Mo! This will be a winner with basketball lovers.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this guy and his heart and wanting to try hard!

[mg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that Mo...

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent beginning reader series for young sports fans.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

More fun with the accidental athlete, Mo.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This time Mo is playing basketball. He struggles to pass the ball to his teammates because they're all taller. He does win the game on a very bad pass.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language is simple and direct describing the action perfectly, fun illustrations and story line.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute beginning reader book from David Adler. Great series that kids love.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice sorry about teamwork and not being deterred by your size

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this Geisel Award Winning series and can see why kids will as well.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid beginning reader.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

More readers he likes to read! Yay!

[Michelle Farella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penguin - Level 2, I. Hardest of the level 2s. Diverse character, longer sentences, simple dialogue, picture for clues, actual plot.

[Kelly]

This is a great addition to the Mo series.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mo has trouble passing the ball as the shortest member of his basketball team but he works hard and is rewarded but not quite how he expects. A great easy reader about hard work.

[Kurt Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the sports-oriented kid who normally doesn't sit still for stories, this one held them to their seats.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for sports books for Chase and stumbled upon this Geisel winner. It teaches valuable lessons about playing sports with endearing characters. Now, I have to find a Super Bowl book.

[Bea Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying your best. Making mistakes. Maybe, there's a reward in trying and failing? successful in unpredictable ways?