
Lion on the Inside: How One Girl Changed Basketball by Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir with Judith Henderson illustrated by Katherine Ahmed

This nonfiction picture book memoir is about Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir’s love of basketball, accomplishments, and ultimate decision to choose her hijab over her career. For elementary readers the 40 page book reads like a story, and shows what it means to work hard, be talented, stay true to yourself, and be willing to fight for what you believe in. As the Massachusetts State high school basketball scoring record holder and the first NCAA hijab wearing Muslim basketball player, she was forced to leave the fight on the court and instead fight to change the rules regarding headgear for women playing international professional basketball. She won the fight, but unfortunately it was too late for her, she now advocates for Muslim girls in sports to not have to choose to cover or play.
The book has a flow as it starts from her being born into a basketball family, and shooting hoops at three. She plays with her brothers with her grandma, Mudgie, always cheering her on. Her mother’s strength grounds her and at age 12 she puts on her mother’s hijab and heads out to play ball.
At 14 she is wearing her own hijab and playing on the high school team, her hijab is her super power, and reminder to be fierce, faithful, and kind. When the ref halts the game and says she can’t wear her hijab, her team stands with her, until the game resumes.
She gets a full scholarship to the University of Memphis and plays her final season at Indiana State. She meets President Obama and beats him in a game. When she decides to play international though, again she gets told she can’t unless she removes her hijab. She chooses her faith, and when she finally gets the ban overturned, it is too late for her, but not for other Muslim girls.
The book concludes with some photographs, additional information, discussion questions, and places to discover more. I appreciate that it shows her praying, but I wish it gave just a little insight as to why Muslim women cover, why it is part of our faith.
I found my copy at the library, it is available to purchase here.