Brenda Dales, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Beginning at age five, brief vignettes from Michael Jordan’s life lead to a time during high school when he surpassed his older brother Larry and dunked the ball to win a backyard game. Known as “Rabbit” while growing up in a family of five children because he seemed to hop instead of run, Jordan was not always an outstanding athlete, yet he was consistently resolute about working toward his goal. Although he loved basketball, his first team game in junior high school was baseball. He did not make the varsity basketball team the first time he tried out, but he did capture the eye of the coach and was given an offer of one-to-one coaching. What Michael initially lacked in skill he made up through determination and playing at every opportunity. Cooper develops a compassionate portrayal through glimpses of Michael as a young man who was a mischievous child, a member of a family, a good friend, and a person who unwaveringly practiced his sport. Illustrations are lively and warm with tones of muted yellows, oranges and browns creating soft and sensitive images. A special feature is a page that folds up at the point where Michael out jumps his brother. The page is exquisitely drawn and perfectly matched to create a seamless and enthralling highlight, but unfortunately because of the binding and the way the page must be opened it is fragile at the fold. A biographical note and brief bibliography are included. 2004, Philomel, $15.99. Ages 7 to 11.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 20))
Michael Jordan was a curious, mischievous little boy who was constantly trying to keep up with his older brother Larry. It seemed as if Larry was always just a little faster, stronger, and more skilled. Michael even tried hanging by his arms in an effort to grow faster. Supported by a strong family and attentive coaches, his own intense determination, and of course his incredible talent, he grew up to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Cooper focuses on childhood incidents that display Jordan's strong character, his competitive spirit, his willingness to practice endlessly, and the loving rivalry between the brothers. Cooper's umber-tinted, action-packed illustrations perfectly capture Jordan's determination and achievements, reserving a fold-up page for the magical "Air Jordan" leap. Having retired several years ago, Jordan still remains a hero of legendary proportions-Cooper keeps the legend alive. (biographical note) 2004, Philomel, 40p, $15.99. Category: Picture book/biography. Ages 6 to 12. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, January 2005 (Vol. 58, No. 5))
This earnest biography, apparently based on secondary sources, traces Jordan's early years, focusing on his relationship with his adored older brother, Larry, and young Michael's determination to improve his play in spite of his frustratingly small stature. Listeners who come for the game will find it hard to dodge thinly veiled messages on the value of fortitude in overcoming obstacles, from racism (Cooper cites an episode in which Michael faced discrimination at a public swimming pool) to garden-variety teasing ("With each dribble, he was scoffed at for his ælittle boy' haircut and the way his ears stuck out. . . . And right in front of the girls!"). Details of Jordan's career are stashed in a biographical note, and it won't be surprising if some listeners ask the reader to flip straight to the back. Still, Cooper's warm, softly textured pictures feature plenty of action scenes, and a fold-up-and-out spread of Michael (with an eerily adult face) beating brother Larry at a jump shot is the undisputed highlight of the title. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2005, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004, Philomel, 40p, $15.99. Ages 5-8 yrs.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2005)
Michael Jordan's energy and determination showed up early on, but his ability to win did not. Cooper uses young Michael's defeats to demonstrate how losing can be motivational. Didactic though the picture book text may be, the faces of the people in Cooper's oil paintings tell the story without words, each person distinctly individual and expressive. A long biographical note is appended. Bib. Category: Nonfiction-Sports. 2004, Philomel, 40pp, 15.99. Ages 5 to 9. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Rosemarie Dobbs (The Kutztown University Book Review, Fall 2005)
This is a biography of the early life of NBA star Michael Jordan. It describes Michael’s family life growing up in Wallace, North Carolina and then in Wilmington, North Carolina. Given the nickname “Rabbit” by his family, Michael was always very competitive, especially with his older brother, Larry. Michael aspired to be like Larry, a true athlete. Throughout his junior high school and high school athletic careers, Michael was determined to practice and persevere until he was able to successfully take on his brother in a game of one on one basketball. This is a great biographical picture book of the early life of Michael Jordan. This will definitely attract boys is the lower elementary grades. Floyd Cooper’s illustrations really compliment his text. Children will enjoy Cooper’s illustration of Jordan’s jump on the “fold-up” page. Two pages of biographical notes are included at the end of the book. Category: . 2004, Philomel Books, $15.99. Ages 7 to 10.