NBA and RIF Reading Resources

The National Basketball Association (NBA), Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), State Farm and the Chris Paul Family Foundation are working together to bring new books and reading resources to schools and students in Houston that were affected by the hurricane this year and to reinforce RIF's commitment to a literate America where all children have the opportunities that literacy provides. 

We have created this special page featuring a collection of books themed to sports, teamwork, and friendship. Complementing the book collection are free literacy resources, games, and activities that will inspire kids to get excited about reading. 

Students, families and educators can explore the interactive games, videos, activities, and lesson plans that accompany each book title. Literacy opens doors to life and we hope these books and activities will inspire the reader in your life. 

State Farm and Paul Family Foundation logos

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Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big

Written by Chris Paul and Illustrated by Frank Morrison
Everybody told Chris that he was too small to play basketball. But he ignored them all...because he...
Pre-K - 3rd
15626

Crispin: At the Edge of the World

Written by Avi
“Asta’s son” is all he’s ever been called. It's appropriate because he and his mother are poor...
4th - 8th
15619

There's a Bat in Bunk Five

Written by Paula Danziger
Marcy's thrilled when her former teacher, Ms. Finney asks her to be a junior counselor at a new...
6th - 8th

Interview with Author Chris Paul

NBA star Chris Paul talks with NBC's Tony Anderson about his children's book "Long Shot". He...

Study Guides for the Three Crispin Books

Jan McDonald, the author of this guide, has over 25 years of experience in the middle school...

Paula Danziger: Author Interview

Author Paula Danziger talks with Scholastic students about her life as a writer and the inspiration...
15616

Today's 12 Hottest NBA Superstars

Written by Tom Robinson
Highlights 12 of the hottest superstars in the National Basketball Association. Each spread contains...
3rd - 6th
15364

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Written by Robert C. O’Brien and Illustrated by Zena Bernstein
The story of a widowed mouse, Mrs. Frisby, who must move her family to their summer home to avoid...
3rd - 7th
15624

This Place Has No Atmosphere

Written by Paula Danziger
In the year 2057 people live in malls, take classes in ESP, and get detention from robots. Fifteen...
5th - 8th

Shooting Hoops Criss Cross for Grades 6-8

Alley-Oops! Answer clues and fill in the spaces to solve this interactive and printable puzzle...

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH: Book Talk Video

A Book Talk on the book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien.

The Giver: Reading Guide

Guide for classroom and discussion for The Giver by Lois Lowry.
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Basketball Teams by the Numbers (Got Game)

Written by Nicki Clausen Grace and Jeff Grace
This basketball book has got game of its own. Perfect for looking at teams from different...
4th - 7th
15617

Big Nate: What's a Little Noogie Between Friends

Written and Illustrated by Lincoln Pierce
Fiesty 11-year old Nate Wright is in a class by himself. In this edition of the graphic novel style...
3rd - 7th
15315

The Giver

Written by Lois Lowry
The story of a dystopian community ruled by the Committee of Elders, which tightly controls every...
7th - 11th

Slam Dunk Word Search for Grades 6-8

Put your basketball terminology to the test. Find and circle words across, down, and diagonally...

Big Nate Author Lincoln Pierce

Meet Lincoln Peirce, the author of Big Nate, and learn how he gets his ideas and how he renders them...

Joyce Carol Thomas

Marked By Fire author Joyce Carol Thomas talks about the history and impact of Brown vs. Board of...
15620

Operation Typhoon Shore

Written by Joshua Mowll and Illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat

After being lashed by a typhoon on their uncle's ship, THE EXPEDIENT, intrepid siblings Becca and...

4th - 8th
15618

The Star of Kazan

Written by Eva Ibbotson

Annika is happy living in the servants' quarters of a house owned by three eccentric professors. She...

3rd - 7th
15623

Marked by Fire

Written by Joyce Carol Thomas
She has grown up--Abyssinia Jackson has--under a vast Oklahoma sky shaded with pecan trees and...
9th - 12th

Interview with Author Joshua Mowll

Joshua Mowll author of the Guild of Specialists Triology talks about his creative process from first...

Eva Ibbotson: Author Interview and Discussion Guide

Interview with The Star of Kazan author Eva Ibbotson and discussion questions.