Feature Friday is a new series I’ll be running on Fridays. I have so many great books to tell you about, and they are piling up in my reading room. Unfortunately, there is not enough time in my day to share them all. I’m starting a new feature on my social media channels where I’ll share a quick video review of a few books, including children’s, middle-grade, young adult, or adult fiction and nonfiction.
Clicking the photo of the book or item will take you to its Amazon listing. I may receive a small commission if you purchase through any of my links. Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
HOOPS
A Graphic Novel
By: Matt Tavares
Published: March 14, 2023
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Fiction/Graphic Novel
It’s March Madness season and the perfect time to share this book. In fact, I read it while watching the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Go Hawkeyes! If there is a Caitlin Clark fan in your house, get this book!
HOOPS is set in 1976. Judi is a high school senior and wishes she could play basketball like the boys. However, her school didn’t have a girls’ basketball team until it was announced that there would be a practice for any girls interested in basketball. Eight girls show up, including Judi, and even though they don’t have a coach or uniforms and have to practice at night after the boys practice, they don’t give up.
This book is based on a real 1976 girls’ basketball team and actual players like Judi Warren in Indiana. Kids will love how the girls persevere and advocate for themselves and their team. They even had to use electrical tape to create numbers on t-shirts for uniforms. These girls didn’t give up and ended up having a winning season and making it to the Indiana State Tournament. I was lucky to grow up in a high school that had girls’ basketball, and I even played for a couple of seasons (6 on 6, if you know what that means). I loved this book and hope you share it with a basketball fan in your life.
To purchase a copy of HOOPS, click HERE.
Matt Tavares was born in Boston and grew up surrounded by books and reading. From the time he was very young, his mother read to him every night, and his family made countless trips to the public library. Years later, as a studio art major at Bates College, he rediscovered his love for picture books and decided to try to make his own.
When Matt’s not working in his studio on his latest book project, he travels the country speaking (and drawing) at schools, libraries, conferences, and bookstores. He has presented at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Eric Carle Museum, the White House Easter Egg Roll, and he’s even done a few book signings at Fenway Park. Matt lives in Maine with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters. Check out his website, HERE.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this gifted item. This review is my honest opinion.
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Posted Under basketball, Book Review, Children's books, fiction, graphic novel, Matt Tavares, middle-grade