We Are Big Time: (A Graphic Novel)

by Hena Khan, Safiya Zerrougui (Illustrator)

Overview

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

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 Noura's not 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.

Join Aliya and the Peace Academy on a headline-making season where they strengthen their skills and their Muslim identities—all while discovering that it takes more than talent to be great, and that teamwork and self-confidence can define 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593430484
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Hena Khan is a Pakistani American writer. She is the author of the middle grade novels 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!

Editorial Reviews

2024-05-04
High school freshman Aliya Javaid is miffed about moving from Tampa to Milwaukee.

Though she’s now closer to her grandparents, Aliya misses the beaches, food, friends, and her basketball team. At her new Islamic school, she tries out for the girls’ basketball team—only to realize they aren’t that good. But with their new, more experienced, coach, Jessica Martinez, they begin to practice harder, focusing both on skills and teamwork. When Aliya, whose family is Pakistani and Indian, gets overwhelmed by balancing schoolwork and practice, her grandfather’s reminder that mistakes are part of learning helps ground her. Over the course of the season, the team improves, drawing a cheering audience. When they’re unfairly matched against a higher-performing team, Coach Martinez’s advice to play their best stands them in good stead. The all-Muslim, hijab-wearing team attracts a fair share of media attention, though reporters always try to pin them down to identity-related narratives. The girls express their discomfort and collectively decide to steer their interviews to basketball and their hopes for the team. Though some of the dialogue is stilted, the story effectively builds on smaller moments and victories as the girls learn to collaborate, iron out team dynamics, and celebrate small victories. Aliya, too, grows and gains confidence in her abilities and talent. The dynamic illustrations make use of interesting compositions to reflect the game’s pace and the characters’ inner growth.

An inspiring sports story that focuses on more than the score. (character studies, cover concepts) (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

A Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Selection

★ "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

From the Publisher