Hoops by Matt Tavares

Hoops is a graphic novel set in 1976 Wilkins, Indiana.

Judi Wilson is a cheerleader with a secret desire to play basketball. But there is no girls team, until her senior year with the passage of Title IX.

Her school finally gets a girls basketball team, but things definitely aren’t equal or fair. The girls team has no uniforms, has to practice at the elementary school, or late at night after the boys have finished.

The girls on the team persevere even though they have little support, except for their coach and each other. The school doesn’t even provide them with a bus.

Slowly, as the girls show their skill, they gain more supporters. This team shows a lot of heart and determination and eventually plays for the state championship.

I won’t spoil the ending, but please read the endnotes. It is based on the true story of real teammates on the 1976 Warsaw High School first ever girls team.

Based on the rise of interest in women’s sports and continued talk of equality of pay and attention, this book is a must read for middle and YA readers, especially girls.