Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map

Author:  Sue Macy

Illustrator: Matt Collins

Peach’s Picks Rating:

 

Year of publication: 2011

City of publication: New York

Publisher: Holiday House

ISBN: 978-0-8234-2163-3

Author website: http://suemacy.com/

Illustrator website: http://www.mattcollins.com/

Media used for illustrations: Corel Painter

Annotation: This informational picturebook tells the story of the first intercollegiate women’s basketball game. It is narrated in first person by Agnes Morley, a Stanford University player, who grew up in New Mexico.

Personal reaction to the book: The first women’s intercollegiate basketball game was played in 1896 in San Francisco. Today’s well-established rivals, Stanford University and University of California, faced off in the exciting match lasting 40 minutes and ending with Stanford winning 2-1. The story is told in present-tense, first person through Agnes Morley. She grew up on a ranch in New Mexico and attended Stanford University where she played basketball. The author cleverly weaves the history of women’s basketball and the differences between men’s and women’s basketball into the exciting narrative; for example the reader learns that “Women [players] are assigned to a section, and they have to stay there. In the men’s game, players are allowed to run all over the court” (page 6). The photorealistic illustrations draw the reader into the action and help explain historical aspects of women’s basketball. Pages 7-8 offer readers an interesting perspective as running legs clad in bloomers cross the court. The illustrator further draws the reader into the action on pages 11-12 when two players from each team fall to the floor tussling over possession of the ball. Finally, the game ends with the reader engulfed by Stanford’s cheering team (pages 25-26). Look closely at the basketball net found on page 20. Notice that it has a closed bottom. The ball must be released by a drawstring. Drawstring baskets are explained in the “Timeline of Women’s Basketball” at the end of the book. The illustrator included this information in the pictures to provide facts and emphasize authenticity. Another illustration that pulls the reader into the story is found on pages 1-2 where Miss Morley excitedly runs to the stadium while holding onto her hat. She has wide grin on her face and her eyes are filled with excitement. The color palette is strong and color saturates each illustration. From a bird’s eye view, the wrap-around cover show Miss Morley and a University of California player going up for the ball. Two players in the background guard one another as they watch the action. Back matter rich in information and fact include an “Author’s Note” offering information about women’s basketball, Agnes Morley, and the Stanford University team. An excellent “Timeline of Women’s Basketball” is also included as well as a list of resources, a list of places to visit, a photograph of the 1896 Stanford team, and “Acknowledgements”. This excellent book offers succinct, accessible information about the history of women’s basketball that is suitable for all ages.

General curricular connections:

• Women’s basketball
• Sports
• History of women’s basketball
• Agnes Morely Cleveland
• Biography

Recommended grade levels:

School Library Journal recommends this book for use with grades 2-5

Booklist recommends this book for use with grades 3-5

Peach’s Picks recommends this book for use with grades 2 and up

Awards/Recognitions:

Booklist starred review

Junior Library Guild Selection

Note: This entry applies to the assignment criteria to review books published during 2010-2011. The title was selected from the list of the Association for Service to Children/ALA Notable Children’s Books – Nominated Titles for Discussion, 2011 Annual Conference - New Orleans, Informational picture books.

Symbolism: Pages 3-4; The illustrator places San Francisco icons and landmarks in the pictures – cable car, Alcatraz Island, Lombard Street

Symbolism: Page 9; Players with “U C” on their blouses. The letters represent “University of California”

Symbolism: Pages 19-20; Blue and gold banners drape the stadium symbolizing University of California’s school colors

Symbolism: Pages 25-26; Red and white banners drape the stadium symbolizing Stanford University’s school colors

Book cover picture retrieved from http://suemacy.com/books