4.5
emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel cheers and roots for an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team who are learning how to work together as a team while also discovering who they are as individuals. Alyia and her family recently moved to Wisconsin from Florida. Alyia and her sister will be attending an Islamic school in a bigger, colder city, and she doesn’t even have a good basketball team to keep her mind off the move. This story beautifully captures a teen's growth and self-development over the course of a basketball season. Readers watch as Alyia navigates learning that she is so much more than just a basketball score, and as the team decides how they want the community to see team. This is truly a stellar book that should be on everyone’s shelves.