We Are Big Time

by Hena Khan (Author) Safiya Zerrougui (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

SWISH! Cheer courtside for a Muslim teen as she joins an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team and learns that she's much more than a score. This energetic graphic novel is inspired by a true story!

Aliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic school is bigger, the city is colder, and her new basketball team is...well, they stink. Aliya's still excited to have teammates (although the team's captain, Noura, isn't really Aliya's biggest fan), and their new coach really understands basketball (even if she doesn't know much about being Muslim). This season should be a blast...if they could just start to win. As they strengthen their skills on the court, Aliya and the Peace Academy team discover that it takes more than talent to be great--it's teamwork and self-confidence that defines true success.

For fans of The Crossover and Roller Girl, this graphic novel goes big with humor and heart as it explores culture and perceptions, fitting in and standing out, and finding yourself, both on and off the court.

Select format:
Paperback
$13.99

Kirkus

An inspiring sports story that focuses on more than the score.

 

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

 

An uplifting graphic novel that celebrates female Muslim athletes and highlights how the teens' faith, sport, and relationships intersect.

Hena Khan
Hena Khan is a Pakistani American writer. She is the author of the middle grade novels Amina's Voice, Amina's Song, More to the Story, and the Zara's Rules series and picture books Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, Under My Hijab, and It's Ramadan, Curious George, among others. Hena lives in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland, with her family. You can learn more about Hena and her books by visiting her website at HenaKhan.com or connecting with her @HenaKhanBooks.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593430477
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date
August 06, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV008000 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | General
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV032020 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Basketball
JUV033270 - Juvenile Fiction | Religious | Muslim
Library of Congress categories
Graphic novels
Basketball
Teamwork (Sports)
Muslims
Sports fiction
Self-actualization

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