Hoops

Set in the 1970s after the minting of Title IX, this feminist graphic novel, inspired by Indiana basketball player Judi Warren, follows fictional high schooler Judi Wilson, who dreams of scoring the winning basket during a championship game. But there are no girls’ athletics teams at Judi’s high school, so she sets aside her court desires to become a cheerleader. When her school starts a girls’ basketball team, dubbed the Lady Bears, she’s overjoyed to play, but her team faces many challenges, including being required to practice at the elementary school and make their own jerseys. Teammate Lisa points out that the boys’ team suffers none of these indignities, and, together with Judi and another teammate, speaks out. The athletic director tells them, “When you can fill the gym, you can share it” with the boys’ team. Determined to prove themselves, the girls slowly build a winning streak, setting themselves up for success despite their disadvantages. Set against snowy, ambient Midwestern backgrounds peopled by friendly faced characters portrayed with varying skin tones, Tavares (Dasher) gently relays lessons about equality and activism alongside themes of friendship and fitting in, offering an approachable, motivational entry point into Title IX’s effect on sports history. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)