Hoops: A Graphic Novel

Tavares, Matt. Hoops: A Graphic Novel. 2023. 224p. ISBN 9781536201369. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Inspired by a true story, Hoops tells how, in 1975, Judi and her friends joined the first ever girls basketball team, the Lady Bears, at their school as seniors. The passage of Title IX obligated school districts to offer similar sports for boys and girls, so for the first time basketball was opened to all. Judi, who unlike her friend Stacy had always wanted to join the basketball team instead of being a cheerleader, participated in the first tryouts. Without a coach at first, 8 girls practiced despite obvious disparities, such as the lack of training time in their own gym, no uniforms, no busses, and no laundry service. 

As the team started to win, more and more fans started showing up to watch their home games. A sponsorship ensured the games would be broadcasted on the radio, and the enthusiasm built as the team headed into the finals tournament with an undefeated record. Despite being behind, the Lady Bears win the local and regional tournaments and head to Indianapolis for the state championship, which ends with Judi scoring the winning basket to deliver victory and a state title to the school's first ever girls basketball team.

During the season, the girls fought against inequity, requesting similar accommodations tot he boys. Eventually, the girls received a bus for transportation, which was used by their fans as they continued using their RV. The athletic director acknowledged he was wrong when he did not provide laundry services. And all of the team members of the Lady Bears became hometown heroes, blazing a path for girls to participate in organized sports.

Warmly illustrated with beautiful colors, this fast-spaced sports story demonstrates that dedication and persistence can in fact change hearts and an entire culture for the better. 

Hope by Terry Fox

Adhiya, Barbara. Hope by Terry Fox. 2024. 328p. ISBN 9781770416819.

For most Canadians, one of their best known fellow Canadian is Terry Fox, a young man who was struck with cancer in 1977 when he was 18, and who lost a leg in the process of attempting to save his life. Terry Fox lives in the imagination of the country as a symbol of resilience and courage. But who was Terry Fox, and what motivated him to raise funds for the fight against cancer by crossing the country from east to west and running a marathon every day with an artificial leg?

An athletic individual, Terry was light hearted and always saw the positive in people and events. A diagnosis of cancer did not change his outlook on life, and he refused to succumb to despair. After the shock of losing his leg, Terry relearned to walk. During these sessions, he started planning for a cross-country trip as a way to channel his energy and communicate with people why this was important. 

Starting in Newfoundland, Terry began his Marathon of Hope in relative obscurity, but as word spread out, and people became more aware, huge crowds lined the streets to see him go by. Millions of dollars were contributed for cancer research, and the news coverage reached every corner of the country. Through his unwavering determination to defeat cancer, Terry caught the hearts of Canadians, and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Canadians to live.

Though his cancer eventually forced him to stop short his cross-country race, Terry's efforts continued to live on in multiples of events every year, including races across the country and around the world, to raise more funds for cancer research, and to honor the memory of a great Canadian!

Blue Lock, Vol. 2

Kaneshiro, Muneyuki. Blue Lock, Vol. 2. 2019. 208p. ISBN 9781646516551. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

With a round-robin starting in Pod 5, as announced at the end of Blue Lock, Vol. 1, Team Z first faces Team X and their striker. Isagi suggests the team should focus on one player, but because everyone thinks of themselves as the best striker, no one agrees to take on the other roles. A series of games of rock-paper-scissors seal the positions, but the grumbling does not stop. They soon realize that unlike them, Team X came up with a plan of attack that every pass is thrown to their striker, who scores a goal against an inexperienced goalie every time. Team Z breaks down, with everyone trying to do their own thing, and even stealing the ball from each other to be the one who scores a goal and gets to remain behind if the team is eliminated. Predictably, the team loses the match.

In the debrief, they agree to a new plan. Each player has a special weapon they can draw on, whether it be an amazing jump, the ability to read the field, or the best-left sidekick. Team Z creates a new battle plan where each player will have 10 minutes to serve as striker and a particular strategy will be executed.

Their next match occurs against Team Y. Unlike Team Z, Team Y focuses on defense, and only when the opportunity presents itself do they pass it forward, leading to a goal. With a score of 0-1, Team Z faces elimination. But then Isagi realizes that Team Ys formation is not built around their striker but around their midfielder, who, like Isagi, can read the field better than most. Armed with that knowledge, Isagi passes his turn to execute their plan and instead focuses on stopping Team Y's strategist. Will the gamble pay off, or will the team go home?

The story continues in Blue Lock, Vol. 3.

Blue Lock, Vol. 1

Kaneshiro, Muneyuki. Blue Lock, Vol. 1. 2018. 214p. ISBN 9781646516544. Available in the graphic  novels section of the library.

Yoichi is the best striker on his school soccer team, and finds himself in an excellent position to score and earn his ticket to the national championship. Unfortunately, he makes the unselfish decision to pass it to a friend he deems in a better position. His friend misses his shot, preventing the team from moving forward. Depressed, Yoichi returns home, only to find a letter inviting to participate in an exclusive academy for soccer players. Curious, Yoichi agrees to attend.

With its defeat at the 2018 World Cup, the national Japanese soccer team leadership seeks a way to improve their pool of talent. The leadership team appoints Jin-Pachi Ego to set up a facility where the best youth Japanese players can train and outplay each other, to shape the best striker in the world. This facility is called Blue Lock.

When Yoichi arrives at Blue Rock, he discovers a facility divided into five pods each of 60 players. The best 300 youth players in Japan are here. Yoichi discovers that he's rated 299 out of 300. Jin-Pachi Ego presents the objective of Blue Lock, which is to develop the best striker in the world, and that, he believes, can only be done through selfishness. The most selfish and egotistical player will become the best striker Japan has ever produced. And out of 300, only 1 player will be promoted to the national team. The other 299 will never be allowed to play for the national team.

With stakes so high, Yoichi has only one option. Become the best youth striker in the nation!

The story continues in Blue Lock, Vol. 2.

Freestyle

Galligan, Gale. Freestyle. 2022. 272p. ISBN 9781338045802. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Cory and his friends have been part of the same freestyle dance team for ever. The Eight Bitz have participated in countless championships, but this year being their last in middle school, their captain, Tess, has a new routine she has choreographed and wants them to perform. With everyone heading in different directions for high school, this may be their last opportunity to wow the crowd. 

But Cory's grades are bad, and he gets grounded by his parents. And to add insult to injury, he has to be tutored by Sunna, his science partner. Annoyed at the whole situation because now he can't practice with his team, Cory gives Sunna a hard time. Not impressed, his parents lay down the law, and Cory decides to apply himself. When he discovers that Sunna loves the yo yo, he is intrigued. Sunna demonstrates a few tricks, and ties these back to the math tutoring she's doing with Cory, and soon they become friends. 

By experimenting with the yo yo, however, Cory is neglecting his crew and his dance moves. Tess is annoyed, because for her this choreography is her application to the high school of her choice. For Sunna, yo yo is a connection with her older brother, against whom she gets unfairly compared by her parents. As the weeks progress, Cory, Tess and Sunna find that the pressure builds for them to make decisions that will impact their lives. For Cory, will he have to choose between Eight Bitz and Sunna? For Tess, will she get the recognition she needs to propel her forward next year? For Sunna, will her parents accept her for who she is, and not who she should be? Will Cory's friends welcome her into their group? With so many expectations, can this last year of middle school get even more complicated?

Remember Us

Woodson, Jacqueline. Remember Us. 2023. 192p. ISBN 9780399545467.

Old buildings in Sage's neighborhood are going up in flames the summer following her 6th grade. Sage loves basketball, and she would rather shoot hoops with the guys than spend time with the girls she has known her whole life. Except, it seems like relationships between boys and girls are now changing, and Sage feels at a disadvantage. And with so many fires happening, Sage is worried her home is next. When Freddy moves into the neighborhood, Sage is thrilled to finally have a friend that gets her.

As they spend time on the court and hanging out, they observe their neighborhood and how quickly it seems to be changing. Sage is better than most of the boys on the court, but a bully steals her ball and makes her question herself, Sage does not tell Freddy. Is she an athlete, someone who excels at basketball, or is she a girl, someone who wears makeup and fusses with her hair. Sage questions her identity, wondering where she fits in this expanding universe.

When a fire destroys a nearby home and kills one of her friends, Sage and Freddy are there for each other. As summer comes to a close, and as Sage prepares to move to a new home away from the neighborhood and its fires, she must come to terms that the future is never static, and the only constant is change. 

Focused on daily life and memories, Remember Us nevertheless explores universal truths about identity and remembering, effectively conveying the many transitions Sage finds herself in. Fans of growing up novels will appreciate this short poetic read.

Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper

Spangler, Brie. Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper. 2023. 272p. ISBN 9780593428498. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

At 13 and in 7th grade, Gemma is over 6 feet tall and stands out like a sore thumb at her middle school. She loves baseball, but she lives in the shadow of her brother Teddy, an 8th grader with a golden arm who's already talked about being a top prospect in the majors. Her friends only want to hang out with her so they can talk with Teddy. Their mother has left the family, and their father works three jobs to make ends meet. Gemma has become the caretaker for the family, cooking meals, doing laundry, and making sure that everyone, including her younger twin brothers, are taken cared of. On the rare occasions her father's home, he's only interested in Teddy.

Through all of this, Gemma does not have time to play baseball. Teddy is under pressure, as he's preparing to go away for months at a training camp for prodigious athletes. He needs the practice time, and Gemma ends up pitching for him over and over. Folks come to watch Teddy hit balls one after another. But Gemma is under pressure too. She has a big fight with her best friend, and she's tired of playing second fiddle with Teddy. 

So when Teddy brings up the intriguing possibility that maybe Gemma should try out for the same team Teddy will be playing with, Gemma is intrigued. How could she possibly abandon her family to pursue the opportunity to play baseball? But with a video going viral, and with the stars aligning, Gemma might manage to pursue her dream after all!

Beautifully illustrated, Gemma's trials and tribulations show her resilience and her grit as she aims to find her own way in the world. Fans of graphic novels will love this story, and those who enjoy a good sports story should absolutely check it out!

Kill a Man

Orlando, Steve. Kill a Man. 2020. 128p. ISBN 9781949028478. 

When James watches his father, kickboxer DJ Bellyi die during a fight with Xavier Mayne in the ring, his whole world crumbles. This is made worse when it is revealed that DJ Bellyi had thrown gay slurs against Xavier Mayne during the fight. Xavier never fought again. 

Years later, James Bellyi has joined the ranks of the MMA, becoming a star and on track to earn top endorsements. However, during a press conference his next opponent reveals that James is gay, and, taken by surprise, James is unable to defend himself. Suddenly, everything that he has built collapses, as no one in the MMA wants to fight a gay guy. James finds himself cast out and abandoned by his friends, his trainer, and his fans. 

Hoping to return to the MMA and earn a title fight, James turns to the only person who could understand his situation. Xavier Mayne continued to train young fighter, but avoided the limelight. Can James reconciles with the man who killed his father so that he can reach the top? Can Xavier forgive the man he killed in the ring long enough to help his son?

The Golem's Mighty Swing

 Sturm, James. The Golem's Mighty Swing. 2003. 100p. ISBN 9781896597713. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

In the 1920s, America is in the grips of baseball mania. The Stars of David are a team of Jewish baseball players criss-crossing the United States in search of teams to play. Some of the players made it to the majors, but all they did was warming the bench. Equipped with a bus that breaks down, and lead by Noah Strauss, manager and player, the team is always chasing the next dollar. But with anti-semitism ramping throughout the land, most small towns are eager for their local team to take down the Stars of David.

When the team is approached by a Chicago promoter with a gimmick that could increase the team's take, the players are at first reluctant. It's already hard enough fighting local prejudices. However, financial difficulties force their hands, and soon the Golem becomes the center of attraction. The Golem is a legendary creation in Jewish lore, a creature much like Frankenstein, which escapes the control of its creator and wrecks havoc. A large and tall African American player who is not even Jewish is dressed up at the Golem, and the Stars of David find themselves facing the Putnam All-Americans. But prejudices and racial taunts turn a baseball game into a clash of civilizations, and winning becomes less important than surviving.

The illustrations are crisp, and the story is well written. Sports fans and baseball lovers will appreciate this dive into a historical period that saw much stereotyping and racial hatred.

Joy, to the World

Shappley, Kai and Lisa Bunker. Joy, to the World. 2023. 240p. ISBN 9780063242753.

Joy, her older brother and her mother moved from Minnesota to Texas so that their mother could pursue a new opportunity. Joy is really excited to start middle school. She meets new friends and is accepted in their circle. Joy discovers that in Texas cheerleading is huge, and she convinces her mother to let her join the tryouts for the squad. After hard work and training with her friends, Joy is accepted into the squad, and looks forward to their first performance.

Unfortunately, someone discovered that Joy is a transgendered girl, and the superintendent, using a law passed in Texas, orders Joy off the team. Even though both the principal and the nurse knew that Joy was transgendered, and even though she was allowed to use the girls' bathroom, the superintendent's decision forces Joy to go to the nurse to use the restroom, something that is extremely embarrassing.

Accepted and supported by her family, Joy comes out to her friends, who nod and agree that it's no big deal for them. Her best friend convinces Joy to continue practicing, and soon they are joined by more and more misfits at school. Joy's new cheerleading squad even performs at a protest at the Texas State House, making the news and attracting more attention, and attracting support from her idol, a trans activist named Kai, whom she meets in Austin. Despite the obstacles placed in front of her, Joy is resilient and won't let the world drag her down!

A story of courage and standing up for what you believe, Joy only wants to live her life, but forces beyond her control are conspiring to make her the villain of a culture war. Supporters of trans individuals and those who wish to learn more about them will appreciate this story of living life against the odds.

Play Like a Girl

Wilson, Misty and David Wilson. Play Like a Girl. 2022. 272p. ISBN 9780063064683. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Always very athletic, Misty decided to join her school's football team in 7th grade, to the boys' disdain. Surprised that her mother and stepfather would allow her to play, Misty brought her best friend Bree along. Craig, her stepfather, told her this was probably the best time to play, as boys were about her own size, and he looked forward to watch her compete.

Though she thought she was in good shape, Misty quickly realized she needed to work harder to compete with the boys. Bree soon gave up, and Misty found herself along on a boys' team. Her dedication and hard work paid off, however, as she gained a starting role on the team. Her friendship with Bree drifted, however, as Bree and Ava, a long-time frenemy, started spending more time together doing "girly" things, activities that Misty didn't really care for.

As Misty navigates the complicated social and emotional life of middle school, she keeps an eye on the football field, and, from victory to victory, the march towards the state championship. In the end, can Misty find happiness during 7th grade?

Fans of graphic novels and of sports will love watching Misty discover herself, which relationships are important, and which are not. Beautifully illustrated, Misty's true story will stay with the reader long after they've finished reading the book.

The New Girl

Sutanto, Jessi Q. The New Girl. 2022. 350p. ISBN 9781728215198. Available as an ebook from Overdrive.

Born to a Chinese father and an Indonesian mother, Lia Setiawan has never felt like she fitted anywhere. Her extended family in Indonesia makes fun of her for her accent, and her Chinese is not that much better. Living in California with her mother, Lia is a star track athlete, and she receives a full scholarship to Draycott Academy, a private school attended by the children of West Coast elite. 

On her first day, Lia is immediately lost in this new environment. Everyone is rich and has money to blow, and Lia stands out like a sore thumb. She hasn't even moved in her dorm yet that she witnesses a girl being hauled away by security. Beth, her guide, tells her that this is Sophie, a former student who was expelled for doing drugs. 

Lia is fast on the track, fast enough to take away someone else's spot. That girl, Mandy, and her cronies begin to make Lia's life miserable online. An app called Draycott Dirt is used to post anonymous messages, and many of them harass and make fun of Lia. Luckily for her, however, she's made a few friends, including with Danny, the school's pretty boy, who also turns out to be part Chinese and part Indonesian. 

When Lia's scholarship becomes threatened by a corrupt teacher who is selling As for $20,000 a pop, Lia doesn't know what to do. Thinking of finding incriminating evidence that will let her rejoin the squad following her academic probation, she instead discovers a dead Sophie in that teacher's office. Then things get worse, much worse. but when things turn deadly, and as Lia sinks further into trouble, she realizes this is not a problem she can run away from....

Filled with snark and bad decisions, Lia is a fallible character and narrator. She keeps on making the wrong choices, making a bad situation even worse, but, much like a train wreck in slow motion, it is impossible not to read on to see whether she manages to extricate herself from the situations. Fans of murder mystery will appreciate this convoluted guilty pleasure.

Catching Jordan

Kenneally, Miranda. Catching Jordan. Book 1 of the Hundred Oaks series. 2011. 252p. ISBN 9781402262289. Available as an ebook from Overdrive.

As a senior in high school, everyone watching her would think Jordan has everything going for her. Her father is the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. Her brother Mike is now in college, playing for his favorite team. And over 6 feet tall, Jordan also has the best throw on her football team. She's the captain and quarterback for Hundred Oaks' high school team, and a top prospect for any team, if only she weren't a girl.

Jordan really wants to join the University of Alabama's football program, but she keeps getting hints from the athletic director, the coach, and some of the players that she will never see field time if she goes to Alabama. Her father is no help. He never comes to her games, and has not seen her play. She's never kissed a boy, because who would want to date a girl that taller than they are? Thankfully, Jordan has plenty of friends on the football team, including Sam Henry and J.J. This season is shaping up to be a great one, and Jordan is ready to lead her team all the way to the state championship.

Except the arrival of Tyler changes everything. A new senior from Texas and a quarterback, Ty has an arm that rivals Jordan, and the coach agrees to give him play time. How can Jordan shine if she's not playing? Compounding these difficulties, Jordan is falling hard for Ty, and he's falling for her too. With mixed emotions and a roller coaster of a ride, Jordan will need to play the best football, and sort out her own desires and determine what is really important to her before the season is over!

Fans of sports and football stories who enjoy reading about Jordan's exploits and struggles should take a look at Play the Game, a real-life story of a girl who joined the 7th grade football team at her school.

Defending Taylor

Kenneally, Miranda. Defending Taylor. Book 7 of the Hundred Oaks series. 2016. 304p. ISBN 9781492630081. Available as an ebook from Overdrive.

As a senior in an elite private academy, Taylor had everything going for her. She was the captain of her soccer team, had excellent grades, and was looking forward to early admission at Yale, following in the footsteps of her sister and father, the senior Senator from Tennessee. Unfortunately, everything unravels for Taylor when she gets caught in the woods near the school with a backpack containing pills. The backpack belongs to Ben, her boyfriend, who is on scholarship and will most likely get expelled if he's caught, so she takes the blame, thinking she'll receive some punishment.

To her surprise, she is expelled from the school, and her father does not lift a finger to help her. Engaged in a heated reelection campaign, he can't afford to be seen as soft on illegal drugs, even if it is to help his own daughter. Even if he could help, he would not as he is a big proponent of taking responsibilities for your own actions. Taylor is thus forced to attend the local high school, Hundred Oaks. There, she attends mandatory daily meetings with the school counselor, and joins the soccer team where the captain, Nicole, attempts to make her life miserable.

Meanwhile, Ezra, who is the best friend of Taylor's older brother and who was Taylor's first crush, is back in town. He has taken a leave from Cornell, and currently works in construction. Even though his parents are wealthy, he lives in a rundown apartment building, and he has issues of his own. Taylor and Ezra reconnect, and she soon learns that he is dyslexic, and cannot read well enough to keep up with college work. Plus, he doesn't want to study business per his father's wishes, but would rather learn to be an architect. 

Motivated by Ezra, Taylor seeks to undo some of the damages that took place when she took the blame for Ben, but fixing a secret often leads to more troubles. As Taylor learns some hard life lessons, she eventually realizes that the way out is to come clean with her own actions and accept personal responsibility, just like her dad suggested...

A light romantic story peppered with soccer games and underlined by twin stories of drug abuse consequences and doing things for others and not for yourself, Taylor and Ezra's relationship blossoms and grow, not without encountering some turbulence, but in the end they manage to work out their differences. Fans of romance will appreciate this book.

She Drives Me Crazy

Quindlen, Kelly. She Drives Me Crazy. 2021. 288p. ISBN 9781250209160. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.

Scottie's senior year is shaping up to be miserable. Her girlfriend, Tally, broke up with her so she could attend a prestigious suburban school and have the chance to win a basketball championship. Scottie's basketball team does not stand a chance. It barely attracts any crowd, the coach is the robotics teacher that was recruited because no one else would do it, and the Danielle, the team captain and Scottie's best friend, has to be the de facto coach. To top it all off, Scottie's car is accidentally hit by Irene, the captain  of the cheerleader team, one of the most popular girls at school, and probably the most uptight. Irene and Scottie have been enemies for a long time, and Irene even got Scottie's car towed last year.

Forced by their parents to drive together while Irene's car is being fixed, Scottie and Irene get on each other's nerves. Irene and her cheerleading squad do come and watch the girls' basketball team practice, which creates a buzz around the school, and more people begin to attend the games and the practices. When Scottie overhears Irene complain to her best friend Honey-Belle that her parents are making her pay the deductible on the car insurance for the repairs, but that she had already spent the money on cheer camp, and now she would have to quit cheer so she could work to repay them, Scottie comes up with a plan. She will pay Irene to pretend to be her girlfriend until the classic Christmas game against their cross-town arch-rivals, which happens to be the team that Tally is on. Tally is sure to hear of Scottie's new relationship, and this will make her jealous!

Except, both Scottie and Irene begin falling for each other through their pretend dating, and kisses and a memorable sleepover causes both happiness and angst. With the basketball team heading for a state championship, and with their relationship evolving towards mutual respect and possibly love, Scottie and Irene will need to navigate the choppy waters of a high school scene replete with drama and rebounds!

Striking Distance

 Brennan, Sarah Rees. Striking Distance. Book 1 of the Fence series. 368p. ISBN 9780316456678.

Nicholas Cox has always had a chip on his shoulder. Born to a single mother, Nicholas has always wanted to emulate his father, a fencing champion, but fencing lessons cost money, something his mother never had. Now enrolled at the elite Kings' Row private school, Nicholas finds that he lacks the skills that others have worked on for years, but his raw talent compensates for the tutoring he never had.

The fencing team at Kings' Row is made up of misfits. Aiden is as sexy as he is infuriating, and he would rank in the the top 50 in the country if he applied himself, instead of pinning for his best friend, roommate, and completely oblivious team captain Harvard. Seji is Nicholas' roommate, and he hates sharing his room with a slob like Nicholas, but despite his best efforts he cannot avoid becoming friends with the scholarship kid. The other boys on the team all have drama of their own, as they compete with each other to earn a top spot on the team. 

Feeling the need to strengthen their team spirit, which she finds sorely lacking, Coach Williams assign them a series of team building exercises, culminating in them having to share a personal history so that the other team members can understand where they are coming from. Dreading this activity more than anything else they've ever done, all of the fencers wish they could do anything else but write about themselves. Their dream is about to be answered ...

Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke

Maraniss, Andrew. Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke. 2021. 320p. ISBN 9780593116722.

Born in 1952, Glenn Burke quickly demonstrated that he was a natural-born athlete. Amazing at basketball, Glenn excelled at other sports as well. Growing up with a single mother and many sisters, Glenn was always the life of the party, ribbing other people and joking around. He could also be deadly serious, especially while playing a game of hoops. Glenn loved basketball and could not get enough. But when he was offered a $5,000 sign-on bonus by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Glenn could not pass up the opportunity, and he joined the team.

And that is how Glenn Burke found himself on the field on October 2, 1977. His teammate, Dusty Baker, hit a home run in the last regular game of the season, reaching 30 home runs in a year and joining three other teammates who all had 30 or more, eclipsing a league record. Without thinking, Glenn rushed the field and congratulated Dusty with what became known as the first high five. 

As a ball player, Glenn was better than average, but not a standout player. His statistics were fine, but he ran into trouble for his life off the field. Unlike most players, Glenn was gay, and was not hiding it well. His whole team knew, and many sports reporters knew as well. The Dodgers' management wanted to project a wholesome image, and having a gay player in the league in the 1970s was considered a huge risk, as homosexuality was still perceived to be a mental disease. 

Glenn was eventually driven out of baseball in 1979, but then he came out publicly about being gay, noting that from now on no one could ever say that there had never been anyone gay in baseball. The place sports played in his life meant that Glenn was not prepared for other types of work, and he drifted from one job to the next. A costly drug addiction depleted his savings, and he eventually ended up on the streets of San Francisco.  With the emergence of the deadly AIDS virus, the homosexual community was devastated, and Glenn became infected. 

By the early 1990s, Glenn had run out of luck and time. He moved back in with his sister, who took care of him as the disease slowly progressed. Glenn died in 1995, at the age of 43, having lived through a hard life, but leaving behind a lasting legacy for gay rights and the cultural phenomena of the high five. 

Ball Don't Lie

de la Peña, Matt. Ball Don't Lie. 2005. 280p. ISBN 9780385734257. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.

Sticky has been in and out of foster care following the death of his mother. Some families find him distant, others find him difficult, so he ends up bouncing around like a basketball. Lacking stability in his life, basketball is his only love. Sticky can play a mean game of basketball, and could probably earn a scholarship to college. Sticky finds refuge at the Lincoln Recreation Center, a busy sports complex. There, Sticky can let go and do magic with the ball.  And the Rec Center provides him with the family he craves for.

But playing at the Rec can be tough. Most of the guys are African-American, and they are good. Sticky has to compete with them, but he also has to compete with himself. His obsessive compulsive disorder means that he's got to follow the same ritual, and perform the same actions multiple times. Sticky is not mental, he's just got issues, but if he can work through them he might be able to reach the top of the basketball world and move away from the name Sticky to his real name, Travis Reichard.

Told in alternating chapters with his life as a child and meeting his girlfriend, Sticky's story vividly describes basketball sequences, without overdoing it. The characters are realistically portrayed, and share relatable stories. Fans of sports literature will be cheering on Sticky as he finds his way through life.

Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything

Raisman, Aly. Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything. 2017. 359p. ISBN 9780316472708. 

Even as a toddler, Aly Raisman knew she wanted to be a gymnast. Obsessed with a 1996 recording of the Atlanta games, Aly pestered her parents and eventually joined the local gymnastics club. She thrived in that environment, and learned important life lessons concerning hard work and dedication. With her eyes on joining the elite Olmypic team, she transferred to another gym where the trainer had worked with Olympians. Her efforts paid off when she successfully joined the elite ranks and was invited to Olympic training camp in Texas.

Over the next few years Aly renewed her efforts and worked on her techniques. In 2012, she made the Olympic team and reached her goal of participating under the American flag. In London, Aly and the girls' team won several medals, but she finished fourth on the All-Around competition, a position she was too accustomed to. Over the next year, Aly retired and traveled the United States, promoting gymnastics and competing on Dancing with the Stars. The gymnastic bug never left her, however, and she returned to practice, hoping to make the 2016 team. The odds were against her, as the last time a gymnast had made the team two Olympics in a row was back in the 1980s.

Once again Aly defied the odds, and joined Simone Biles and the other girls for another shot at medals. Aly even earned a medal in the All-Around competition, finally defeating her trend of 4th places. Despite all of the hard work and heartaches that it takes to become a champion, Aly describes her life with humor and understanding, and shows the reader that they can accomplish their own goal if they go all out and apply all of their effort!

Dragon Hoops: From Small Steps to Great Leaps

Yang, Gene Luen. Dragon Hoops: From Small Steps to Great Leaps. 2020. 446p. ISBN 9781626720794. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Gene loves superheroes. He enjoys reading about them, watching movies about them, and creating his own comic books about them. Gene is an artist who creates his own graphic novels. In search of inspiration, Gene decides to explore his school's winning basketball team, the Dragons. Led by coach Lou Richie, the Bishop O'Dowd High School team is on the road to reach the California State Championship and win, something that has been denied in the past, with the team reaching the finals but never winning.

The problem is that Gene doesn't particularly like sports. Why bother, when there are all of these superheroes that have stories to tell. If only he could think of one. Reluctantly, Gene begins following the basketball team, and soon notices that instead of being a monolithic institution, each player brings their own stories, passions, and dreams to the team, and that the quest for a championship is very much like a superhero story, filled with villains, last second rescues, and people trying to do the right thing. And in the end, telling the story of each player and of the team will change not only their lives, but Gene's as well, showing him that athletes can also be superheroes.

Fans of graphic novels will appreciate the details and the illustrations, but will stay for the engaging story about high school students who triumph over adversity.