Lion on the Inside: How One Girl Changed Basketball. Written by Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir with Judith Henderson, and illustrated by Katherine Ahmed. Kids Can Press, 2023. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"I nab the ball. 
Pivot past him. Drive to the basket. 
Lay up the shot, give him the eyeball
and leave."

I am often in awe of those who stand up for themselves in spite of the roadblocks put in their path. Women making an inroad into male-dominated sports has improved, but still needs work. I was intrigued to hear Ms. Abdul-Qaadir's story. I had not been aware of it prior to reading this inspiring book that is part of the Citizen Kid series from Kids Can Press. 

A Black athlete and a Muslim, Qiisi was the first woman to be allowed to play basketball on a NCAA Division I team while wearing a hijab. From a very young age, she loved to play basketball and took no time to show just how much talent she had for playing the game. By the time she was 12 and wearing her mother's hijab, she was having great success playing against boys' teams. She had begun dealing with remarks about her 'ugly scarf'. 

Both brave women, her grandmother cheered loudly at every opportunity;  her mother suggested quiet confidence when dealing with unwelcome comments and opposition to her playing the game she loved.  In high school, now wearing her own hijab, she felt its power for helping her do what was right. At 17, a referee told her not to wear it while playing. She refused to remove it! Her team and many fans in the crowd made enough of a fuss that the referee reversed the decision. 

Her career in basketball moved on from there. She even played hoops with President Barack Obama at the White House! As an international professional player, she was told once again that wearing her hijab was against international rules of play. Making the choice between her love for the game and her faith is not easy. 

"So I choose. 
I choose not to play. 
That day changes my life forever. 
And my heart 
       is 
       broken."

It takes hard work and three years to change the rule. By then, it is too late for Qisi; not for other girls like her. Back matter adds further facts about this amazing young woman, alongside two photographs. There is also a section to encourage talk, and another with a list of resources for learning even more.