Description: As a transfer student to the Georgia O’Keeffe College for Arts and Subtle Dramatics, former sports star Charlie is struggling to find her classes, her dorm, and her place amongst a student body full of artists who seem to know exactly where they’re going. When the school’s barely-a-basketball-team unexpectedly attempts to recruit her, Charlie’s adamant that she’s left that life behind…until she’s won over by the charming team captain, Liv, and the ragtag crew she’s managed to assemble. And while Charlie may have left cut-throat competition in in the dust, sinking these hoops may be exactly what she needs to see the person she truly wants to be.

Review: Charlie Bravo is a recent transfer to the Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics. She is determined to keep to herself and focus on her film studies. Charlie finds it hard to stick to her goals when she runs into a girl named Liv who sets her sights on getting Charlie to join her newly minted basketball team. Liv is full of energy, brimming with optimism, loves leading teams and incessantly tries to woo Charlie for her basketball team. Liv has a great heart, but she can come on way too strong so she ends up recruiting the rest of her ragtag basketball crew to convince Charlie—each in their own unique fashion—just before the first game. Ashley, Nicole, Jay, and Tiffany eventually wear her down with their numerous and humorous attempts, not only welcoming her to their team, but also into their circle of friendship. It takes Charlie some time to thaw and reveal some hurtful memories of her last university. At her new university, however, Charlie might rekindle her love of basketball with her new team and possibly find a new romance.
  Avant-Guards is a fun, quick read that puts female sports in the front and center. The cast of characters are diverse in gender expression (one is nonbinary), race, and sexual orientation. There is also plenty of diversity in secondary characters too. The illustrations were bright and energetic just like the characters. There is a nice balance of humor, heart, and action, but I did feel that there is little plot for the first volume of this graphic novel. Overall a promising start to a new series that features diversity, inclusion, and female sports. I look forward to reading the next volume in the series.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some minor language and scenes of drinking. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Avant-Guards Vol 2 by Carly Usdin, Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu, Giant Days series by John Allison