Keep Calm,Play HardA Young Player’sJourney inNew York City

by Cooper Smith

Keep Calm, Play Hard:

A Young Player’s Journey in New York CityText and illustrations copyright © 2013 by Jennifer Aaker and Cooper Smith

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of briefquotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address [contact info to come]

ISBN-13: 978-1494278342

ISBN-10: 1494278340

Typography and design by Brandon Ly.

This book is dedicated to my family, especially my mom. I want to

thank both my friends in New York and California – for you guys in

NY who are the best for welcoming me, and for my friends in Califor-

nia who made me feel missed. Also, I want to dedicate this to both

the Knicks and Warriors, and one of the most awesomest family in

the world who live in both New York and California– the Essermans.

They are so generous, caring, and kind. And last but not least, I want

dedicate this to all my family who live in DC and California, especially

Nana, Papa, Janny, Richy, Brian, Jojo, Sami, Maile, Kaikai, Landon, and

Uncle Paul. Love, Coop

by Jennifer AakerLyrics by Doug Gleicher

Keep Calm, Play HardA Young Player’s Journey in New York City

Illustrations by Aly Flock

and Cooper Smith

Keep Calm, Play HardA Young Player’s Journey in New York City

Take a seat, and let me tell you an epic tale

about a boy from the Bay all the young kids hail.

5

Age eleven and a baller, his name was Coop.

But he had to move to Manhattan - it was the place to hoop.

6

“I’m gonna run that place. I’m a man of independence!”

He yelled as he gelled his hair for the flight attendants.

He hopped on the plane - next stop: New York.

His eyes were wide thinking of all those basketball courts.

7

Now this kid was known as smart, young and bold,

but now he had to choose: Carmelo, or Blue and Gold.

He didn’t want to pick, but his home felt far away,

so he threw on his Knicks jacket with the hope to stay.

8

Okay fine, just for you, I’ll be flexible,

but there’s no way I’ll be eating all these vegetables!”

First stop, gotta cop the new iPhone quick,

but what’s this? A parental contract? “Dang, too strict!

9

Soon Coop upped his game, posting scores of Instagrams.

A master of the medium, responding to fans.

Phone in pocket, and basketball in hand,

time to really show this city who’s the man.

10

So they walked and walked, seemed to cross the whole earth,

“Man, I feel I walked so much, my eyebrows hurt!”

“But first, let’s stop at Dylan’s Candy Shop.

Me, Dev, and TSloane have to see that spot.”

11

Every candy imagined, a dream come true,

but the only thing missing was a basketball hoop.

Finally they arrived and Coop was right; Dylan’s was the bomb,

giant Nerd boxes, sour candy ropes, dark chocolate for mom.

12

So Coop walked ouside and took a cab uptown

to prove himself King of New York, and earn his crown.

13

He got out of the cab at the Cage, near Washington Park.

All the lights were shut off and the court looked dark.

But he didn’t care, he could ball day or night,

so he got on the court, laced his Nikes up tight.

14

Fake left, drive right, he could do this all day,

“Yo kid, nice shot, do you mind if I play?”

His shot was so smooth, not one dude could guard him.

Eyes closed, he imagined dropping buckets at The Garden.

15

But when he turned his head all he saw were some knees,

then he looked up and saw...

Coop thought to himself, “Who could this clown be?

He must be insane if he’s challenging me.”

16

Carmelo grabbed the ball, said, “Okay - one condition:

If I win you have to try something new in the kitchen.”

At first he thought his

mind was playing tricks

from the candy.

But then he said what

any boss would say:

“You versus me.”

...Carmelo Anthony!

17

“It’s a deal, but if I win, on your home court,

then you gotta declare me the King of New York!”

So they shook hands and soon had attracted a crowd.

Tons of people showed up to see what it was about.

18

Coop was losing, Carmelo was too tough to guard,

then Coop thought to himself, “Keep calm, play hard.”

He went for the steal, turned around and sank a three,

one point away from being King of NYC.

19

He grabbed the ball and said, “For TSloane and Dev!”

Then with a running leap he dunked over Carmelo’s head.

“Like a boss!” he yelled over screams and cheers,

Coop was king - grinning from ear to ear.

20

“Yeah I beat you in ball, but next week let’s try tennis,

and I know that I won, but I’ll still try some lettuce.”

It was quite a day for the boy from the Bay.

Then he shook Melo’s hand and proceeded to say:

21

This story sounds crazy, a phony, a fable,

but that night Coop had a salad at his kitchen table.

22

So when things seem tough,

simply shoot for the stars.

Live life like a boss,

keep calm, play hard.

23

Acknowledgements

I want to thank Doug Gleicher for his rhymes, Aly Flock for her

amazing art, Brandon Ly for pulling the book all together with style,

Johanna Gustafsson for her photographs, and most importantly my

mom for all the hard work she put into this awesome book with me.

25

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for

reading this book. I am

Cooper; I am 11 and live in

NY. This is a book about

a journey about changing,

something that everyone

faces. I hope you like the

book, and move to NY

someday.

Cooper