Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
SWISH! Graphic novel We Are Big Time by Hena Khan is set to hit the shelves on August 6.
Based on a true story, the plot follows Aliya joining an all-hijabi basketball programme at her new school in Wisconsin. In order for her team to win, she must prove that she has what it takes to lead as co-captain.
‘Swish’ is a term used to refer to a shot that goes through the basket without touching the rim or backboard.
The book is expected to showcase the everyday struggles of Aliya and her teammates as they deal with micro aggressions and misinformation about Muslim culture, as well as the pressure of press scrutiny.
Pakistani-American writer Hena is known as the author of Amina’s Voice, which was selected as best book of 2017 by several media outlets including NPR and The Washington Post. The award-winning creative took inspiration for her upcoming novel from the Salam School basketball team, which made headlines in 2018 for being an all-Muslim high school girls basketball team from Milwaukee.
