A work of fiction inspired by a true story, Matt Tavares’s debut graphic novel dramatizes the historic struggle for gender equality in high school sports.
It is 1975 in Indiana, and the Wilkins Regional High School girls’ basketball team is in their rookie season. Despite being undefeated, they practice at night in the elementary school and play to empty bleachers. Unlike the boys’ team, the Lady Bears have no buses to deliver them to away games and no uniforms, much less a laundry service. They make their own uniforms out of T-shirts and electrical tape. And with help from a committed female coach, they push through to improbable victory after improbable victory. Illustrated in full color, this story about the ongoing battle of women striving for equality in sports rings with honesty, bravery, and heart.
SELECTION
| 2023 Junior Library Guild Selection
SELECTION
| 2023 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids
SHORTLIST
| 2023 New England Book Award
An inspiring and heartwarming story about a small town high school basketball team . . . that will be adored by readers of all ages. —Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat
A fast-break story of stout hearts, raw talent, and the will to stand up for what’s right. . . . Hip-hoop-hooray for Hoops! —Scott Magoon, New York Times best-selling illustrator
Poignant and fresh . . . sure to have readers of all ages wanting to shoot hoops!” —Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times best-selling cocreator of the Sunny and Babymouse series
Matt Tavares is the author-illustrator of the New York Times best-selling picture book Dasher, as well as Red and Lulu and several sports biographies, including Becoming Babe Ruth and Growing Up Pedro. He is also the illustrator of Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld, The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas,and Over the River and Through the Wood,among many other picture books. Matt Tavares lives in Maine.
A work of fiction inspired by a true story, Matt Tavares’s debut graphic novel dramatizes the historic struggle for gender equality in high school sports.
It is 1975 in Indiana, and the Wilkins Regional High School girls’ basketball team is in their rookie season. Despite being undefeated, they practice at night in the elementary school and play to empty bleachers. Unlike the boys’ team, the Lady Bears have no buses to deliver them to away games and no uniforms, much less a laundry service. They make their own uniforms out of T-shirts and electrical tape. And with help from a committed female coach, they push through to improbable victory after improbable victory. Illustrated in full color, this story about the ongoing battle of women striving for equality in sports rings with honesty, bravery, and heart.
Awards
SELECTION
| 2023 Junior Library Guild Selection
SELECTION
| 2023 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids
SHORTLIST
| 2023 New England Book Award
Praise
An inspiring and heartwarming story about a small town high school basketball team . . . that will be adored by readers of all ages. —Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat
A fast-break story of stout hearts, raw talent, and the will to stand up for what’s right. . . . Hip-hoop-hooray for Hoops! —Scott Magoon, New York Times best-selling illustrator
Poignant and fresh . . . sure to have readers of all ages wanting to shoot hoops!” —Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times best-selling cocreator of the Sunny and Babymouse series
Author
Matt Tavares is the author-illustrator of the New York Times best-selling picture book Dasher, as well as Red and Lulu and several sports biographies, including Becoming Babe Ruth and Growing Up Pedro. He is also the illustrator of Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld, The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas,and Over the River and Through the Wood,among many other picture books. Matt Tavares lives in Maine.
