It was announced yesterday, August 11, that six-time NBA All-Star and New York Knicks captain Amar’e Stoudemire has signed a deal with children’s publishing giant Scholastic for the world rights of STAT: Standing Tall and Talented, a middle school-aged chapter book series based on the life on Stoudemire.

The new series is titled after Stoudemire’s nickname, STAT, and takes much from the NBA star’s life, during which he overcame several obstacles to rise as a prominent sports figure. Stoudemire hopes through the series of books to positively influence children, especially boys, to read more.

“I am excited to create my book series with Scholastic,” said Stoudemire. “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.”

The first book in the series, STAT #1: Home Court, features an 11-year-old Stoudemire who encounters a group of older boys who bully his friends, and Amar’e is forced to step in. He ses his basketball skills and intelligence to save to the day, thus realizing that basketball is his true passion.

The first book in the STAT series will be published in both hardcover and paperback on August 1, 2012 with new books additionally scheduled for October 2012 and January 2013.

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