Amar Shah is an American author, Emmy‑winning writer, and former sports journalist known for his middle‑grade fiction and graphic memoirs that center on basketball and broader sports culture. His work is published primarily by Scholastic and its Graphix imprint.
Early life and education
Shah was born to Indian immigrant parents and raised in Maryland, United States. He began his engagement with sports journalism as a teenager in the mid‑1990s, covering the National Basketball Association (NBA) for local publications and eventually securing an interview with Shaquille O’Neal while still in high school. He later worked as a writer and producer for major sports media outlets, including ESPN, the NFL Network, and Fox Sports, earning multiple Emmy Awards for his contributions.
Career in writing
Middle‑grade fiction
Shah’s debut middle‑grade series, Play the Game, comprises three contemporary basketball novels—Play the Game: The Hoop Con (2024), Play the Game: Take the Shot, and Play the Game: Time to Win. The books follow protagonist Raam Patel as he navigates challenges on and off the court, emphasizing themes of perseverance, self‑confidence, and teamwork. The series has received recognition from the Children’s Book Council and several librarian and teacher awards.
Graphic memoir
In 2025, Shah released Wish I Was a Baller, a graphic memoir illustrated by Rashad Doucet. The work recounts his real‑life experiences as a fourteen‑year‑old sports journalist covering the NBA’s “golden era,” including interactions with figures such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and the Orlando Magic organization. The memoir has been highlighted in Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Shelf Awareness, and Booklist, receiving starred reviews and praise for its authentic 1990s cultural detail.
Other projects
Shah is developing additional middle‑grade projects, including a collaborative graphic novel, a middle‑grade memoir, and an adult coming‑of‑age novel set in the world of professional sports.
Professional background
Before focusing on books, Shah contributed written content to ESPN.com, NFL.com, The Wall Street Journal, The Orlando Sentinel, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Slam Magazine, and The Washington Post. His television writing and producing earned him multiple Emmy Awards, though specific categories and years are not detailed in publicly available sources.
Personal life
Shah resides in Florida. He is represented by literary agent Jas Perry (Looking Glass Literary & Media) and by UTA for potential film and television adaptations.
Selected bibliography
- Play the Game: The Hoop Con (Scholastic Press, 2024)
- Play the Game: Take the Shot (Scholastic Press)
- Play the Game: Time to Win (Scholastic Press)
- Wish I Was a Baller (Scholastic/Graphix, 2025) – graphic memoir, illustrated by Rashad Doucet
References
- Publishers Weekly interview, “Four Questions for Amar Shah,” July 17 2025.
- Author website, amarshahwrites.com (accessed April 2026).
- Scholastic Press author profile, amarshahwrites.com.
Note: All information presented is drawn from publicly available interviews, publisher materials, and the author’s official website. No unverified claims are included.