Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness and gender discrimination.

Hoop Group easily wins their first tournament games. Due to the games, Jayden can now only work at Slice on weekends. After a Wednesday practice, Grams cooks greens and 7UP cake—food she usually saves for special occasions. Grams went to the Lorain County Library, and the manager told her that the library just received funds for a literacy program for children and adults. The library needs someone to run it, so Grams filled out the application and compelled the manager to interview her right there. Grams doesn’t have the job yet—the library still has to interview other people—so Jayden doesn’t know why Grams celebrates. Grams says that they now have hope, and hope is what counts.

While waiting outside Principal Kim’s office, Anthony reads the graphic novel version of Kwame Alexander’s basketball verse novel, The Crossover (2014). He hears Principal Kim say that next year’s budget won’t include money for Hoop Group. At practice, Principal Kim confirms that there won’t be any money for the basketball program. Dex suggests that Chris contact