Community storybook
The Bounce Pass
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 2
Six-year-old DJ loved the squeak of sneakers on the basketball court. Squeak-squeak! His best friends, Zy, Dave, and Santana, squeaked right beside him.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 3
DJ was biracial. His mom was white, and he had her springy curls. His dad, who was Black, was the team’s coach.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 4
Before every practice, Dad gathered the players beneath the hoop and said, “Ready to play?” “Ready!” they shouted.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 5
Today, DJ wanted to make a basket before the buzzer in their practice game. Dad set the clock, and the four friends raced down the court.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 6
DJ caught the ball and bounced it hard. He aimed for the hoop and threw.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 7
Bonk! The ball hit the rim.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 8
Dave caught it, passed to Santana, and Santana passed to Zy. Zy passed back to DJ. He shot again.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 9
Bonk! The ball rolled away. DJ’s cheeks grew hot. He ran after it, but the clock was ticking. There wasn’t much time left. “Pass it forward!” called Dad.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 10
DJ turned. Dave was waiting near the hoop, with both hands up. But Zy was closer, and DJ remembered their favorite pass: a bounce so low and quick it skipped between their feet.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 11
He bounced the ball toward her. Too hard! It flew past Zy and headed straight for the sideline.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 12
DJ dashed after it. One sneaker squeaked; the other slid. He scooped up the ball just before it rolled out. “Here!” Zy called.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 13
This time DJ took a breath. He bent his knees and gave the ball a smaller push. Bounce! Right into Zy’s hands.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 14
Zy passed to Dave. Dave tossed the ball to DJ, who was waiting under the hoop.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 15
DJ stretched up and let it fly. Swish! BZZZT! went the clock.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 16
“Nice basket!” Dad called. DJ grinned as Zy, Dave, and Santana rushed over, their sneakers squeaking all at once.
Community storybook: The Bounce Pass — 17
Dad rolled the ball back to them. “Ready for another game?” DJ caught it and bounced it toward Zy.