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!
“A slam dunk!" —Minh Lê
A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST KIDS’ BOOK AWARD WINNERAliya 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.
On sale: August 6, 2024
Age: 8-12 years
Grade: Grades 6-8
Page count: 240 Pages
ISBN: 9780593430484
Reading level: Lexile: GN320L | Fountas/Pinnell: W
Hena Khan is a Pakistani American writer. She is the author of the middle-grade novel
Amina’s Voice, which was selected as a Best Book of the Year by
Kirkus, NPR,
Washington Post, and Chicago Public Library. Her other titles include
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.
Safiya Zerrougui is a cartoonist, character designer, and illustrator based in Montreal, Quebec. She’s worked with Netflix, Disney TVA, and HBO Max as a character designer and visual development artist. Safiya's work pulls inspiration from her Kabyle heritage, fashion history, bold colors, and intricate patterns. Give her a sketchbook, a cup of coffee, and a museum archive website, and she’ll be entertained for hours!
★ "
An uplifting graphic novel that celebrates female Muslim athletes and highlights how the teens’ faith, sport, and relationships intersect." —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "
A lighthearted slam dunk." —
Booklist, starred review
"
An inspiring sports story that focuses on more than the score." —
Kirkus Reviews
"
Zerrougui’s visual storytelling is highly readable and makes excellent use of varied panel sizes and placements to convey character, setting, and b-ball action alike." —
The Horn Book
"
A focused and rewarding sports story that will leave readers cheering for the inspiring Peace Academy team, and a great recommendation for sports fans or new students worried about finding their place." —
School Library Journal
"Winning and brimming with hope,
We Are Big Time is
an utterly engaging graphic novel that reminds us there is more to basketball—and life—than the score." —Samira Ahmed,
New York Times bestselling author of
Internment and
Hollow Fires “
We Are Big Time is a slam dunk! Overflowing with humor and heart, Aliya’s inspiring journey with her all-hijab-wearing basketball team will have readers cheering for more." —Minh Lê, Eisner-nominated author of
Lift and
Green Lantern: Legacy "Don’t come in expecting a story of overcoming prejudice or hate; Hena deftly crafted this story from the girls’ perspectives to broaden readers’ perspective on what a diverse narrative can be. Safiya’s lines are fluid and dance on the page.
A delight for the eyes and heart." —Nidhi Chanani, author of
Pashmina "The perfect sports story:
exciting, moving, and inspiring in every way!" —Christina Soontornvat, three-time Newbery Honoree
