Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

For those NBA fans out there with children, you will soon be able to read your young ones books published by one of the league’s biggest stars.

Six-time NBA All-Star and New York Knicks captain Amar’e Stoudemire has signed with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, which has acquired world rights to STAT: Standing Tall and Talented, a chapter book series for middle-grade readers launching in August 2012.

The new series, named after his nickname STAT, will be based on the life of Stoudemire, who overcame many obstacles to become one of the most popular figures in sports today.

While Kevin Durant, Brandon Jennings, and John Wall have been doing work on the Summer League/Pro-Am courts STAT has been getting work done away from the hardwood. Last month we found out he would be hooking up with Big Lead Sports to launch a web site geared towards fashion and sports. Now we find out he’s doing his part to inspire the next generation to start reading at an early age.

“I am excited to create my book series with Scholastic. They are the best in the business so I trust them with my stories. I decided to write for children because although I am an avid reader now, I wish I had read more as a child. I hope that together with Scholastic, we can creatively inspire a new generation to read.”

After the first book is released next August look for the second to hit shelves in October and the third in January 2013. The NFL lockout produced a few nice stories and Amar’e is following suit for sure. STAT may have picked a good time to become an avid reader. With current signs not pointing to an end to the lockout anytime soon he may get to to do quite a bit of reading this winter, for the above pictured Amare Jr. and himself.

WRITTEN BY & FULL STORY HERE  AT losthatsportsblog