We Are Big Time by Hena Khan, Safiya Zerrougui
ISBN: 0593430484
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Sports
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

This middle-grade graphic novel features an all-girls Muslim basketball team in Wisconsin who learn what it means to be part of a team. Aliya is the new girl and has to figure out how to fit in at school, on the team, and in her family. Readers will relate to Aliya’s challenges of being the new kid and dealing with her family’s pressure to prioritize grades over sports. The descriptions of attending an all-Muslim school and the pressures the team faces over their wearing of hijabs and conservative clothing are portrayed realistically. When the team starts winning, the “gotcha” journalist try to trip up Aliya and her teammates but they quickly learn how to gracefully field questions from the public, especially those questions about how they dress. This book is a great companion volume to Hoops by Matt Tavares.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham