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nermrlib's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not usually a graphic novel person, but this one came highly recommended (and is an award winner!) I want to share this with every preteen girl that feels just a little different.
lostinfrance's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I have heard it talked about in many places around me....podcasts, teaching websites...sitting on a table at my B&N, but I never had a chance to grab a copy...until I had this brilliant idea to track it down at my local library. (Duh!?)
The story is well drawn, sweet....and has great lessons for tweens. A young girl falls into the world of roller derby and decides to learn skills at a summer camp. This causes a fracture in her and her best friends relationship....and as she struggles to stay standing in her roller skates Astrid also struggles to navigate without her best friend next to her. The feelings are raw and true--- and she works hard to be able to compete at a game. It was nice to see someone struggle to become talented...and also see the not so perfect world of being a young teen. I think a lot of tweens (and adults who miss their younger years) can relate to Astrid and stand silently cheering her on as they read the novel.
Read: if you enjoy graphic novels or you want to learn more about roller derby....also read if you just want to be cooler. This book rocks.
The story is well drawn, sweet....and has great lessons for tweens. A young girl falls into the world of roller derby and decides to learn skills at a summer camp. This causes a fracture in her and her best friends relationship....and as she struggles to stay standing in her roller skates Astrid also struggles to navigate without her best friend next to her. The feelings are raw and true--- and she works hard to be able to compete at a game. It was nice to see someone struggle to become talented...and also see the not so perfect world of being a young teen. I think a lot of tweens (and adults who miss their younger years) can relate to Astrid and stand silently cheering her on as they read the novel.
Read: if you enjoy graphic novels or you want to learn more about roller derby....also read if you just want to be cooler. This book rocks.
allowvera's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the story but it was a little too long without need for it. The graphic novel could have been 2/3 the length and told the same story with the same impact. Otherwise, I think its a great graphic novel for young girls needing to build confidence in themselves or not feeling like they fit in.
what_katie_read_in_ca's review against another edition
5.0
Now that's an amazing Middle Grade Graphic Novel!! The kids in our library are going to love this one!!
goldenjunegem's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
maethereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
jerushalynnx's review against another edition
5.0
I read this today to screen it for my young niece who is having trouble with reading. I figure a graphic novel might be a bit more fun and bonus points if it teaches her something about friendship, challenges, and changes in life. This GN hits all the right spots and is vastly entertaining.
danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
So fun and entirely realistic. I'm eternally thankful I'll never be a twelve year old girl again.
jurassicreads's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect to want to read this graphic novel, but I fell in love almost immediately.
We enter the story with the main character, Astrid, realizing that she may be falling out of touch with her best childhood friend due to differing interests. Of course, as many of us who are far away from high school at this point, this is just how the cards fall sometimes. However, Astrid doesn't understand why this could happen, so she throws herself into her newest obsession: roller derby. She isn't any good, and learning means her body and feelings take quite a beating, but it seems better than being depressed and confused over losing her best friend.
I love the way this book demonstrates the lack of control of we feel going on in that middle school-almost high school era of our lives. Astrid feels like the wheels are shaking off the car of life she has been driving, so she tries to cling to the next best thing: a hobby. She always has a phenomenal relationship with her mother that changes and morphs as she comes to be more comfortable with her choices and how her life is changing.
This is an adorable, uplifting book that teaches you to move on from things that seem to be devastating or life changing for the negative. I feel like a lot of people will like it simply for the bright art style and Astrid's sassy, determined personality.
We enter the story with the main character, Astrid, realizing that she may be falling out of touch with her best childhood friend due to differing interests. Of course, as many of us who are far away from high school at this point, this is just how the cards fall sometimes. However, Astrid doesn't understand why this could happen, so she throws herself into her newest obsession: roller derby. She isn't any good, and learning means her body and feelings take quite a beating, but it seems better than being depressed and confused over losing her best friend.
I love the way this book demonstrates the lack of control of we feel going on in that middle school-almost high school era of our lives. Astrid feels like the wheels are shaking off the car of life she has been driving, so she tries to cling to the next best thing: a hobby. She always has a phenomenal relationship with her mother that changes and morphs as she comes to be more comfortable with her choices and how her life is changing.
This is an adorable, uplifting book that teaches you to move on from things that seem to be devastating or life changing for the negative. I feel like a lot of people will like it simply for the bright art style and Astrid's sassy, determined personality.