Common Sense Media Review
By Jasmine Baten
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Muslim girls' basketball team perseveres in moving story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In WE ARE BIG TIME, Aliya and her family have just moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to live closer to her grandparent, which is maybe the only thing she likes about Milwaukee so far. That is, until she joins her new Islamic school's basketball team. The team has to learn how to work together and trains hard, which pushes Aliya to learn more about herself even as she struggles to keep up with her school work. As a group of young Muslim hijabi women, the team comes together to support one another and show everyone just how well they can play the game. Based on the true story of the Salam School's girls' varsity basketball team's 2018–2019 season.
Is It Any Good?
Hena Khan's inspiring story and Safiya Zerrougui's vibrant illustrations will have readers cheering for Aliya and her teammates along with the rest of the school. Muslim readers of We Are Big Time, especially young Muslim girls who wear hijab, will see themselves in the characters (and sympathize when the reporters ask their slightly strange questions about being Muslim). Knowing that the story is based on real events just makes this book an even more exciting and heartfelt read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the journalists' questions in We Are Big Time. The girls don't like that the reporters ask them about immigration and politics and try to get them to speak negatively about their families. How would these questions impact the stories reporters tell? What might non-Muslim people conclude from these journalists' stories about the girls and their families?
Coach Jess stands up for the team when people make fun of Aliya and her teammates for being Muslim, and the girls support one another. Do you hear kids at your school make racist and Islamophobic comments to other kids? What can adults and kids do about it?
Many real Milwaukee locations are mentioned in the story. What is the purpose of an author using real restaurants, buildings, and people in a story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Safiya Zerrougui
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 6, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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