Hoops: A Graphic Novel by Matt Tavares
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536201367
Genres: Historical Fiction, Sports
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Hoops is a graphic novel inspired by the true story of the first women’s high school varsity basketball team in a town in Indiana.  The girls on this team love to play basketball, but are forced to overcome many obstacles on their path to the playoffs, obstacles the boys’ team doesn’t have to deal with.  The girls refuse to be quiet about the inequities and find different ways to fight for what they need.  This graphic novel is perfect for upper elementary students.  It revolves around the basketball team and their amazing first season, but it also offers a glimpse into life for women in the 1970s and includes elements of friendship and some romance.  The pace of this graphic novel is pretty quick and there is a great balance between text heavy panels and pages and panels and pages that are solely illustrations.  This would be great for any school or public library collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library