The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale

About this book

In his author-illustrator debut, Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe–and Africana Book Award–winning illustrator Charly Palmer spins a tall tale about a neighborhood basketball hero. Have you ever heard of Gravity? No, not gravity, the centrifugal force pulling us to the Earth. I'm talking about Gravity--the greatest ball player to ever lace up a pair of sneakers. Gravity is the new kid on the Hillside Projects basketball team, the Eagles. He once jumped so high that his teammates went out for ice cream before he came back down. With Gravity on their side, the Eagles feel unstoppable.

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Why widely assigned

This Realistic Fiction title, typically at grades 3–6. Written in the 2020s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Texas Bluebonnet Award

  • recommended·3rd grade · Texassource: Texas Library Association — Texas Bluebonnet Award past winners, 2024 winner (grades 3-6)
  • recommended·4th grade · Texassource: Texas Library Association — Texas Bluebonnet Award past winners, 2024 winner (grades 3-6)
  • recommended·5th grade · Texassource: Texas Library Association — Texas Bluebonnet Award past winners, 2024 winner (grades 3-6)
  • recommended·6th grade · Texassource: Texas Library Association — Texas Bluebonnet Award past winners, 2024 winner (grades 3-6)

Common questions

What grade level is The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale?

The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–6. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

How long does it take to read The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale?

It takes about 25 minutes to read The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale (23 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 25 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale?

The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale appears on reading lists for Texas Bluebonnet Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale banned in schools?

The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.