Too Short to Make the Shot: Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan

In his playing days, at six foot six, Michael Jordan cast a very long shadow over the game of basketball, but few of his fans know that he was once too short to make his neighborhood team. His mom remembers, though, and Deloris Jordan, with the help of Michael's sister Roslyn, tells the true family story of a star who was once too short to make the shot in Salt in His Shoes.

When hazing by an taller, older kid sends Michael home with a case of basketball blues, he confesses to his mother that he is afraid he'll never grow into his dreams of being a great player. Mama Deloris tells him to put salt in his shoes, say his prayers, and give it time. After four months of patience, practice, and plenty of salt, Michael hasn't grown an inch and completely loses heart. This time Daddy steps in and reminds Michael that practice, determination, and giving his best is what will make him a winner.

Michael decides to give his dad's advice another shot and hurries off to watch the neighborhood team play at the park. With their game already in progress, an injury to a player gives Michael a chance to come in near the end of the game. Confronting the bully, Michael confidently fakes him off and scores the winning goal "right over the tall guy's head." Although he was to grow plenty of inches in his high school years, Jordan never was the tallest guy on the court, but following his parents' advice, he became the biggest star in basketball.

Deloris Jordan's text reads true, and Kadir Nelson's illustrations of Michael in despair and in action tell the story of one little boy's real growth spurt on the way to becoming a man.