What This Book Is About

Young Patty has always been good at sports—running, swimming, footy—so when he decides to try out for basketball, he figures it'll be a breeze. But basketball is nothing like what he expected. The plays are confusing, the older kids are bigger and faster, and for the first time in his life Patty feels completely out of his depth. If he wants to make the school team and have any shot at the finals, he'll need to learn that talent alone isn't enough—hard work, humility, and leaning on your teammates matter just as much.

Written by NBA champion Patty Mills (a proud Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Australian), this is more than just a sports story. It's an authentic, semi-autobiographical tale about growing up Indigenous in Australia, finding your identity through sport, and discovering that the people who support you are what make you strong. Co-authored with Jared Thomas and brought to life by Nahum Ziersch's dynamic illustrations, the book is fast-paced, easy to read, and packed with the kind of real-life energy that makes kids want to get off the couch and play.

Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.

Why We Recommend This Book

For A1-A2 readers (Grade 3), Game Day! is a standout recommendation for three reasons.

First, it's written by a real NBA star. For sports-loving kids (especially those who might not yet love reading), knowing the author actually lived this story is a powerful hook that gets them turning pages.

Second, the book celebrates Indigenous Australian culture with warmth and pride. UWC values intercultural understanding, and this story naturally introduces children to Torres Strait Islander heritage—a perspective rarely found in mainstream children's literature.

Third, the language is accessible and the chapters are short, making it perfect for building reading confidence. The basketball vocabulary adds a layer of practical English that kids can immediately use in their own sporting lives.