Rating: 
Summary: Unfortunately Disappointed
Review: Although this book was well written and almost poetic at times, it was a disappointment because Madeline Blais was not able to get to the heart of these young women. I wanted to learn who the Hurricanes were, what basketball means to them and how they interacted as a team. Instead Blais spends a few short pages describing the girls then moves on to an essay about Amherst or a neighboring town. For example, we are told that Jen and Jamilla are the co-captains and a little bit about their backgrounds, families and hobbies. We are even told that they have a tenious relationship, yet we never see it. And this in effect creates a void. As a reader you realize that the element of scenes to enhance the descriptions is missing. This book is 85% exposition and 15% scene. Thus without the scenes we can not truly relate to these young women. We are told, but are never shown. I was disappointed because I expected more of a narrative and instead I got more of an essay or newspaper article. This is where Blais' being a journalist rather than a novelist hurts her. The lack of a strong narrative results in a lack of emotion. I understand the stakes and the astonishment of the team's victories yet with the same distance as someone on the outside looking in. There are little pockets of true insight, where you see a girl get in trouble in practice, or be upset at a loss, but not as close as someone on the inside. The bottom line is that this book is essentially about women in athletics using the Amherst Hurricanes as a way into exploring that issue. The Hurricane's ascent to the top is chronicled faithfully, yet the narrative is sometimes overshadowed by an essay on the town or Title IX, for example. In this way, it makes it difficult to really know the girls and that is unfortunate because they are really the heart of this book. I was very disappointed to finish the book feeling like I didn't really know these very special young women.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally, a sports story about women by a woman
Review: As a former sportswriter and the father of a 10-year-old girl player, this is as good as it gets at capturing the essense of the sports experience from many angles. It's a story about women from a woman's perspective -- not a man's. The difference is what makes this a unique and insightful read. I bought it for my daughter, but I ended up reading it first. It's a "Hoosiers" story set in the 90s that is about girls, not boys. These are characters you care about -- and the fact that they're real makes it even better. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The Agony of Victory
Review: Blais creates an elegant tapestry which depicts the struggles of families undergoing the rite of passage of adolescence. Her characters embody the sacrifices which they and their families make to achieve success. Why should you read this book? First, Blais blends humor and pathos in telling a 'feel good' story. Second, her prose and style simply inspire all readers to improve their writing. Third, she illustrates the generational transition resulting in the empowerment of women and the role athletics has played. Finally, she captures the spirit and the vicissitudes of the relationships between her characters, for example the two hour phone conversation where the team stars become friends instead of rivals. You don't have to worship at the sports altar to enjoy this book, but it won't hurt. If you make the small effort to read this outstanding book, you may understand better how life has improved for your daughters and sons, your peers, and yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful - but ...
Review: I confess to being a fanatic about girls basketball. I've coached my daughters over a total of close to 9 years, and loved every minute of it. I also went to college in Amherst, as did my eldest daughter. She even knows one of the assistant coaches in the book.
I loved the book because of those interests, but I was a bit disappointed that it didn't provide more that would catch the interests of people who are not already passionate about it. I was hoping I would be able to recommend it to the middle school girls I coach to provide them some inspiration, but it didn't fit that bill. It is more of an almost superficial study of some very committed girls without giving any insights as to why they were so committed. Everybody knows that it takes commitment to win championships. Where does that come from?
I recommend the book to the parents of girls who are passionate about basketball. I recommend it to coaches of girls teams. And I recommend it to anyone with ties to the Amherst area. Beyond that, it's an ok read, and pretty short so it won't take a whole lot of time.
p.s. unlike another reviewer, I didn't find a feminist agenda coloring the book.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I first read this book while I was still a member of a high school girls' basketball team. While my teams never reached nearly the pinnacle that the Amherst team did, I think that this book captures the dynamics and ongoing relationships in sports, especially on a girls' team. Each character comes vividly to life after reading it just once, and after a few times, they seem like good friends. This book is a must for anyone who plays sports, watches sports, or is a sports parent.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I first read this book while I was still a member of a high school girls' basketball team. While my teams never reached nearly the pinnacle that the Amherst team did, I think that this book captures the dynamics and ongoing relationships in sports, especially on a girls' team. Each character comes vividly to life after reading it just once, and after a few times, they seem like good friends. This book is a must for anyone who plays sports, watches sports, or is a sports parent.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Story, Beautifully Written
Review: I have read dozens of books about sports, and this one ranks up there with the best. First of all, Madeleine Blais tells a great story, start to finish, of an exciting basketball season played by high school girls at the top of their game. But Ms. Blais makes the reader care deeply about these girls by bringing them to life as full human beings. The snapshots of their home lives, academic efforts, and personal relationships brings these girls alive. Finally, this is a thoughtful book that, without ever preaching, makes you realize that girls are naturally just as competitive and spirited as boys. Indeed, in these girls hope is a muscle. May they all live long, productive, and happy lives.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Story, Beautifully Written
Review: I have read dozens of books about sports, and this one ranks up there with the best. First of all, Madeleine Blais tells a great story, start to finish, of an exciting basketball season played by high school girls at the top of their game. But Ms. Blais makes the reader care deeply about these girls by bringing them to life as full human beings. The snapshots of their home lives, academic efforts, and personal relationships brings these girls alive. Finally, this is a thoughtful book that, without ever preaching, makes you realize that girls are naturally just as competitive and spirited as boys. Indeed, in these girls hope is a muscle. May they all live long, productive, and happy lives.
Rating:
Summary: In These Girls, I see My Own Daughter
Review: If you have a daughter playing basketball at the Junior High or above level, You have to read this book! Madeleine Blais has caught the hearts and souls of these girls of Amherst. The "side trips" into each of the players and their coach's history is an endearing and encouraging experience. By the end of the book ( which, by the way, moves very well), you will hold a warm spot in your heart for these young people, their parents and the town itself. The "Bus Ride" back through town at the end of the book will forever stay with you.
Rating: 
Summary: In These Girls, Hope Is A Muscle
Review: In These Girls, Hope Is A Muscle, was a great book! The reason I chose this book was because I am an athlete myself and can relate almost exactly to the book. My High School basketball team also went to state and won it this year. The last four years we have been so close to winning it, and this was our last real chance to do it. And the same thing happened in this book. When they would explain their feelings about losing the big game, or when they won it all, I knew exactly how they felt. The only thing i had a problem with in the book, was that sometimes the author would go on about someone that meant nothing to the story. So, sometimes i would have to skip a couple pages here and there because i just didnt care. But, it was well worth. I enjoyed the book very much and i recommend it to anyone from an athlete that can relate to it, or even a non-athlete that could get the feel for what its like.
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