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(2)
4-6
Tween relationships and identity development are the focus of this engaging contemporary graphic novel. It is middle-school picture day, and Viv is determined to make her mark. Motivated by the potential for online attention and inspired by an affirming social media influencer, she impulsively chops off her signature braid. The act--along with the newly styled haircut that follows--turns heads and boosts her confidence; she finds herself exploring different social connections and trying new activities. However, these new experiences and the attention they offer distract her from her loyal best friends and their long-term project to create a roller-skating routine celebrating a favorite fandom. After she pressures her friends to share their not-yet-ready routine publicly, and it does not go well, Viv is forced to reckon with the impact of her insensitive behavior. The bubbly, thickly lined illustrations showcase the characters' styles and electronic interactions (texts, social media posts, etc.) with panache. The tensions and resolutions are portrayed through heartfelt dialogue and with pacing that feels authentic for the seventh-grade characters and the setting. Recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson.
Reviewer: Elisa Gall
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2023
199 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-3205-9$16.95
|
EbookISBN 978-0-8234-3374-2
(3)
4-6
Sesame Seade Mystery series.
Illustrated by
Sarah Horne.
Precocious youngster Sesame Seade tackles the mystery of Cambridge University's missing gargoyles. Aided by a pair of purple roller skates and classmates Gemma and Toby, Sesame tracks down leads that bring her uncomfortably close to home. With an exciting plot and a perfectly droll first-person voice, this second installment avoids the buffoonery often found in humorous middle-grade novels. Spot art highlights the action.
240 pp.
| Dial
| March, 2015
|
PaperISBN 978-0-8037-4016-7$12.99
(1)
4-6
At summer roller-derby boot camp, coaches, teammates, and celebrity roller Rainbow Bite cheer on twelve-year-old Astrid as she faces the challenges of derby as well as tweendom. When time comes for her big end-of-summer bout, "Asteroid" is ready to roll. Jamieson's dialogue captures coming-of-age within a subculture authentically; the graphic-novel format is used resourcefully. Have this at the ready for Telgemeier fans.
Reviewer: Elisa Gall
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2015
(2)
4-6
Sesame Seade Mystery series.
Illustrated by
Sarah Horne.
Sophie Margaret Catriona "Sesame" Seade is a type-A roller-skating detective in Cambridge, England. Here she solves a kidnapping and exposes corporate funding skullduggery. During her investigations she breaks into the Fitzwilliam Museum, steals a canoe, and escapes from bad guys by strapping on wings and launching herself out a window. The pace is rambunctious; the adults, Dahl-nasty. Spot illustrations support the high-octane humor.
Reviewer: Sarah Ellis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2015
(3)
YA
Before she got cancer, Casey loved freerunning and martial arts. Now that she's in remission, she's having trouble reconnecting with her adrenaline-fueled hobbies--until she joins a roller derby team, whose captain has been sent to Earth to train humans to fight demons. Harris delivers on this innovative premise with a blend of humor, horror, and emotional authenticity.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| October, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2923-3$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Matt Collins.
Macy recounts the real-life rivalry of Midge "Toughie" Brasuhn and the "glamour girl" Gerry Murray by depicting a televised 1948 Roller Derby event. After all the elbowing and smashing, a final spread reveals two respectful grins ("Every hero needs a villain. And every villain needs a worthy opponent"). Painterly, vintage-feeling art suits the setting. An author's note adds historical context. Reading list, timeline, websites.
255 pp.
| Capstone
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62370-023-2$12.95
(4)
YA
Roller Girls series.
UK expat Annie is having a rough time fitting in at her new Midwestern high school, until she discovers roller derby and reinvents herself as Anne R. Key (Falling). The second volume, Hell's, finds Annie's team taking on their archrivals in a special Halloween bout. Somewhat stilted writing and simplistic themes mar the otherwise entertaining blend of sports action and romance. Review covers these Roller Girls titles: Falling Hard and Hell's Belles.
255 pp.
| Capstone
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62370-024-9$12.95
(4)
YA
Roller Girls series.
UK expat Annie is having a rough time fitting in at her new Midwestern high school, until she discovers roller derby and reinvents herself as Anne R. Key (Falling). The second volume, Hell's, finds Annie's team taking on their archrivals in a special Halloween bout. Somewhat stilted writing and simplistic themes mar the otherwise entertaining blend of sports action and romance. Review covers these Roller Girls titles: Falling Hard and Hell's Belles.
(4)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Robert Eberz.
Text by Amy Hsu Lin. Splat the Cat puts on his brand-new roller skates, but the sunny day quickly turns to rain. Chaos ensues as Splat tries to maneuver around the house--still in his skates. As usual, textual and visual silliness reign over storytelling, but kids will enjoy the hijinks, which include Splat dancing to his favorite song "Meow Rock" and spilling Little Sis's pink-frosted fishsticks.
247 pp.
| Scholastic
| May, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-33479-2$16.99
(3)
4-6
Araminta (nicknamed "Minty," a.k.a. "Minty Fresh," her future roller-derby name) meets Raymond, a mysterious boy, in the woods. They team up to investigate the strange behaviors of other neighborhood kids (including Minty's best friend Paz, who's acting too grown-up for roller derby). Meanwhile, Raymond has his own secrets. All ends well in Standiford's perceptive story of changing friendships.
40 pp.
| Farrar/Ferguson
| September, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-36399-4$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Christine Davenier.
Samantha tries out her new roller skates, at first gingerly, then more confidently, then too confidently, skating out the door. She hurtles down a hill, disrupting activities and gathering up objects as she goes. Davenier's effervescent pencil and watercolor illustrations are a match for Ashman's engaging light-as-air verse, propelling the action forward and conveying the madcap quality of the chaos.
104 pp.
| Enslow
| September, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3107-4$31.93
(3)
4-6
Score! Sports Science Projects series.
These collections of mathematics and physical science experiments use popular sports to engage middle school investigators. After general introductions to scientific methods and safety, the texts present various projects and activities, many of which illustrate how scientific data can help improve performance. Detailed instructions and color diagrams, explanations of the featured scientific principles, and suggestions for further study are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Score! Sports Science Projects titles: Slam Dunk! and Wheels!
234 pp.
| Holt
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-8023-0$16.95
(4)
YA
Bliss, an indie-punk misfit in her pageant-obsessed family, finds her true calling when she secretly takes up roller derby and starts dating a guitarist. The small-town-Texas characters, skewered by Bliss's biting commentary, skate perilously close to stereotypes, though the fierce sisterhood of badass skater chicks is well drawn. Cross's exciting play-by-play details make Bliss's enthusiasm for her chosen sport come alive.
40 pp.
| Harcourt/Gulliver
| April, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-15-202495-6$$15.00
(4)
K-3
In their second book, the bunny and hippo have a fight when Hop's plans for celebrating Hip's birthday go wrong. Though neither character is particularly charming (Hip sulks when she doesn't get her hinted-at present; Hop fusses too much), readers will appreciate the grown-up chapter format, the humorous illustrations, and the happy, boisterous ending.