Module 7/Information Nonfiction/Biography/July 14-July 20

Basketball Belles:  How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map by Sue Macy
Illustrated by Matt Collins

Macy, S.  (2011).  Basketball belles:  how two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops on 

     the map.  New York:  Holiday House.  

Summary

Told from the point of view of Agnes Morley, the woman who made the game-winning shot in the first women's intercollegiate basketball game in 1896, this book briefly but thoroughly tells the story of how college women finally got the chance to play the game of basketball.  The first game took place between Stanford and the University of California at Berkeley.  Morley was actually a rancher's daughter who was sent to Stanford to learn how to be a lady.  She joined Stanford's first basketball team and they ended up winning the first intercollegiate game 2 to 1.  There were actually 500 fans there, but men were not allowed to watch so it was only women cheering on the two teams.   Refereeing the game was also a woman, only she was wearing high heels. 

My Impression

I really, really, really liked this book.  First, I liked that the story was told in present tense.  It made it seem to have more action.  The book was not very long but that helped add to the action, much like when announcers talk at actual basketball games.  That is the kind of feel the writing had.  What was just as good, if not better, than the writing were the illustrations.  They are computer generated and just phenomenal.  They are very crisp and clean and illustrate the time period very well.  It's actually strange to see the women playing in long sleeve shirts and pants.  The book also has extras, such as a timeline, author's notes, and other sources to look at.  I was disappointed in the timeline though because even though it was published in 2011, the timeline ends in 1997.  I felt the author could have kept that going up until publishing.  

Reviews and Awards

"In 1896, a historic basketball game was played between the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University. It was the first women’s intercollegiate game, played five years after basketball was invented. Agnes Morley, a rancher’s daughter, narrates the story and excels as a Stanford player during the groundbreaking event. The focus is on the play-by-play of the game, which had different rules for women and was attended by 500 cheering female spectators. Collins' digitally created artwork captures the dynamic game and develops the characters, from Morley’s determination as she brands a calf on her ranch to her team’s exuberance at their victory in the game. While seemingly meant to introduce readers to the history of women’s basketball, the story is so brief as to seem slight. Readers will crave more information: What types of shoes do the players wear? Why are the nets closed? How did this particular game come about? What happens next? An author’s note fleshes out some biographical details about Morley and the other players and discusses women's basketball in America. A timeline is included, but unfortunately it ends in 1997 with the introduction of the WNBA. A resource section lists books and places to visit, and a photograph of the 1896 Stanford women’s basketball team concludes the book. The excellent backmatter, however, doesn't compensate enough for the too-slim story. (Nonfiction 7-11). "

(2011, Feb. 10).  [Review of the book Basketball belles: how two teams and one scrappy player put 

      women's hoops on the map].  Kirkus Reviews.  Retrieved from 

      https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sue-macy/basketball-belles/.

2012 Amelia Bloomer Book List

Suggestions for Use

*Have women basketball players come in and discuss why that first intercollegiate game was so important and how the game has changed from then to now

*Take a field trip day and watch a collegiate basketball game