NBA Baller Amar’e Stoudemire says he’s got a story to tell! So in a recently inked deal with Scholastic he plans to do just that. With the hopes of improving the reading skills of middle grade-aged children, Stoudemire will publish a series of children’s books based on his life and the obstacles he’s had to overcome. The series titled “STAT: Standing Tall and Talented” is slated to make its debut with the release of the first book in August 2012.

     The first book titled “STAT #1: Home Court” focuses on the life of an 11-year-old Stoudemire whose daily life consists of helping out with his dad’s landscaping company and playing sports with his friends. But things take a turn when he comes across a group of older boys bullying his friends on the basketball part and decides to use his athletic ability and wits to resolve the problem.

     About his decision to create a children’s series, Stoudemire says, “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 next two books of the series are scheduled for release in October 2012 and January 2013.