Additional Book Information:

• Copyright: 2023 by Matt Tavares

• Publisher: Candlewick Press

• Publishing Date: March 14, 2023

• Reading Level (Lexile): GN470L

5 key words to describe this book:

• Heartwarming

• Inspiring

• Touching

• Motivating

• Meaningful

ELA CT Common Core Standard that might be met by reading this book:

RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).

Suggested Delivery:

• Independent Read

Electronic Resources: 

• http://matttavares.com/hoops.html 

  • Show students this website prior to reading Hoops to teach them about the author, Johnnie Christmas, and what inspired him to write this book. 

• https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/91752-four-questions-with-matt-tavares.html#:~:text=Hoops%20fictionalizes%20the%20true%20story,well%20as%20the%20state%20championship. 

  • Students can explore this webpage to gain insight into Matt Tavares's motivation behind and process of writing this graphic novel. 

Video to Build Schema:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqtfyZ4XVbA 

ELA Teaching Suggestions:

Key vocabulary that may have to be taught for students to better understand the text:

• Advocate: to support or stand up for someone or something

• Title IX: a law that was passed in 1972 to ensure that students and employees of all genders are treated equally in educational settings

• Discrimination: when someone is treated differently or unfairly based on an aspect of their identity

• Sexism: when someone is treated differently based on one's gender

• Access: the right or ability to enter, look at, or use something

• Equality: ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities 

Reading strategy suggestions to increase literal and/or inferential comprehension:

• Before Reading

  • Show students this Tedx about gender inequality in sports. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/haley_rosen_the_problem_with_women_s_sports 

• During Reading

  • In small groups, dramatize a scene from the book. Write a script, rehearse, and present it to the rest of the class. 

• After Reading

  • Have students pick a national issue and create a speech to be given on that topic by one of the main characters in the book; the speech should reflect the character's beliefs. 

Writing activity that requires students to demonstrate inferential comprehension:

• Write a feature article that tells the story of the book as it might be found on the front page of a newspaper in Wilkins, Indiana (where the story takes place).