SYNOPSIS

Judi likes spending time with her best friend as a cheerleader at basketball games, but her real passion is the game itself.

She signs up for her school’s first-ever girls’ basketball team, but the beginning is rough – bad training space, no uniforms, no professional coach.

Even though the girls work hard and show promise in competitive games, the school principal refuses to support their effort.

Undeterred, the team members win at ever-higher levels, and raise money for transport and publicity.

Team spirit starts to build in support of the young athletes when the team qualifies for Regionals.

The (Lady) Bears go on to win the 1976 Indiana State championship in front of a full stadium of adoring fans, and receive an apology from the principal.

(To learn about Judi Warren, the real-life basketball player who inspired this book, check out Phillip Hoose’s We Were There Too!)

PERFECT AGE 9 – 12

We love

• An inspiring story about pursuing one’s dreams and persevering despite challenges – and very topical today, given goings on in women’s basketball…
• An accessible and relatable set of examples about challenges girls may experience day to day, and how not to accept or give up!
• A lovely moment when Stacy and her cheerleading squad showed up to support the team.
• Such a great homage to Judi Warren – who more girls should learn about!

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Do you agree with Judi’s choice to hide from Stacy that she joined the basketball team? What would you have done in her shoes? Why?
• What do you think motivated the coach to pursue the girls’ team effort? Describe some of her possible thoughts as she went along!
• Why does Lisa decide to quit the team (temporarily)? What convinces her to give it another shot?
• What is your favorite moment in the book? Why?