In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle

Sportswriters often use the term "Cinderella story" to refer to an underdog team that makes it big. This book is an anti-Cinderella story -- and the reason why isn't what you might think. The result is a moral tale that every young woman, and everyone who cares about young women, should read.We all remember the story of Cinderella, but we tend to forget the details. If we think about it at all, we think about it as a "dream come true" story. We forget how it happened. Remember Cinderella: the virtuous one, hardworking, uncomplaining, sweet-natured, beautiful under her grime -- and also, deprived, mocked, neglected and shut out. Her dream is to go to the ball, an event to which she had already been invited, along with all the other young women of the kingdom. Somehow she manages to work a deal with her wicked stepmother that will allow her to earn what she's already entitled to: in exchange for doing a seemingly impossible amount of housework, she will indeed be permitted to go to the ball. Virtue, grit, and determination swing into action, but when Cinderella manages to accomplish her half of the bargain, Stepmom reneges on hers -- and Cinderella accepts the outcome and sits herself down in the ashes, giving up what she's earned and accepting what she's given. Not until her fairy godmother shows up and practically drags her to the ball does she get to dance; not until the prince hunts her down and shoves the shoe on her foot does she get her dream.I don't think the name of Cinderella is ever invoked in "In These Girls...", but the book could almost have been written as an antidote to the lessons of the Cinderella story. These are lessons that women and girls learn too well: that if you do all the work and have all the virtues, you can then shyly retire to the background, and your reward will seek you out. The truth, which the Hurricanes learn in the course of this book, is that after you have earned your reward, you must take the final step of reaching out and claiming it. A championship game is not a season, but it is where the rewards of a season well played are either claimed or abandoned. In reading the book, I came to love the Hurricanes, their coach, and their families. They are ordinary, and extraordinary, and they behave in ways that make it seem that the extraordinary is always within reach -- if only we can see it, believe in our right to it, and reach out to claim it for our own.

Hope.. is a wonderful depiction of life, sports, and growing up. I live in Northampton, MA and now play on the "hamp" team that the book talks about. And while Amherst is one of our rivals, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and found that both me and my team could relate to the trials and tribulations that the Amherst team did. Congrats Madeline Blais for a wonderful depiction of the high school athlete... this is a must read for all!

My high-school basketball team gave me this book after I finished my senior year, and I am extremely grateful to them. If you have ever enjoyed participating in, watching, or following high-school sports, this is a book for you! It is full of the things that made me love the game to start with... the determination, pride, euphoria, occasional let-downs, pain, tenacity and adrenaline that I feel when playing basketball are clearly demonstrated in this wonderful book. Pick it up and read it, buy it for your daughters, buy it for your sons!

This book was outstanding! It was such a good story and it was really well written. If you are looking for some inspiration about basketball and teamwork then you should read this book! These girls are just amazing. What made this whole story better was the fact that it was a true story so you know that this REALLY happened. It was almost like a fairy tale- everything went as planned. I can't really describe my feelings for this book, it was incredible. When Jenny hugged her dad after the game I almost cired. Everyone should read this book whether they like basketball or not! I would also like to wish Jamila Wideman a happy birthday! She will be turning 24 on October 16. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMILA!!

I hadn't picked up this book until very recently because I was afraid it would be all about "girl power" and the idea that women are victims. But when I finally did pick it up, it took me only 2 nights to finish. It was so captivating. This book is not so much about the feminist movement as a groups of kids coming together, and concurrently, bringing their communtiy together. Blais also tells the story of each girl and the obstacles they have faced; but not in a "I'm a victim, have simpathy," way. She tells it in an "Is that all you got? I'm gonna walk all over you," way. Inspiring. This book couldn't have been written any more perfectly. As a high school athlete, I was able to associate with so many of the rituals and emotions of the team. I am also from the Amherst area and Blais does a wonderful job of painting a picture of the communtiy and its history. I recommend this book to everyone and anyone, but it should be required reading for every female high school athlete. It is simply unbelivable. You will not be disappointed.