Hoops (HC) by Matt Tavares

Indiana, 1975. The Wilkins Regional High School girls’ basketball team is undefeated — and almost completely invisible.

They practice in the dark, long after the boys have gone home. They sew their own uniforms from T-shirts and electrical tape. No buses. No bleachers full of cheering fans. Just a group of young women who refuse to quit, guided by a coach who believes in them when almost no one else does.

This debut graphic novel — inspired by a true story — brings that fight to vivid, full-color life. It’s a story about the early days of Title IX, about the quiet, stubborn courage it takes to demand what you deserve, and about what happens when a team finds its footing against every odd stacked against it.

The illustrations are warm and kinetic, perfectly suited to the rhythm of the game and the emotional weight of the era. Readers young and old will find themselves leaning in, page after page, rooting hard for the Lady Bears.

• A work of historical juvenile fiction grounded in real events
• Full-color graphic novel format — accessible and visually stunning
• Themes of gender equality, perseverance, and teamwork
• Perfect for young readers who love sports, history, or both

This is the kind of book that earns a permanent spot on the shelf — the one you press into someone’s hands and say, you need to read this. A natural fit for classrooms, book clubs, and anyone who believes a good story can change how you see the world.

Come find it on our shelves. We have a feeling it won’t last long.

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