Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM) on his Always in the Middle website each week. Check it out for more great kidlit!
I first heard of this book when I looked up what year Echo, by Pam Munoz Ryan, was written and learned that both books won 2016 Newberry Honors. So I grabbed the audiobook without really looking, popped on my headphones, and took an hour-long bike ride. I hated it! The plot was streamlined, without any of the artistry I so enjoy, and it featured the predictable friend triangle and accompanying cattiness of pre-middle school girls. Not to mention a lot of obnoxious sound effects like roller skates clattering behind the words.
The audiobook is only two hours long, so I actually finished half of it before I got home and looked the thing up. It’s a graphic novel! Oh!!! That’s why it moved so fast with such efficient language. I was hearing the words but missing all the nuances in the pictures. So I grabbed the Kindle version and began again. And I actually started to enjoy it. Now that I was getting the full story, I came to admire that efficiency of writing. There isn’t room for a lot of text in those cartoon blocks. But Victoria Jamieson manages to tell a comprehensive story in few words and tell it well.
Within, Astrid is just finishing up her last year of elementary school when she views a roller derby bout and signs up for derby camp, expecting her best friend to join her. But Nicole has her own plans for the summer—ballet camp. And joining her will be Rachel, Astrid’s nemesis since the second grade. “She’s much better than she used to be,” Nicole assures Astrid. It doesn’t make Astrid feel better. The associated and predictable snottiness from both Astrid and Rachel still made my skin crawl. Rachel is That Girl you couldn’t stand as a kid, but Astrid is needy, pouty, and jealous. She does, however, “woman up” and attend derby camp alone.
It’s horrible. She’s the worst one there. The only one with zero skate experience. She falls. And falls. And falls. And cries. And picks herself up and keeps going back. And eventually she gets better. Her determination is compelling and her struggle a realistic example of how hard it is to learn a new skill. Kids will appreciate this, because who hasn’t been in the same position?
Though Astrid’s never really any good, she is eventually accepted by her team, and she comes up with a snarky derby nickname, “Asteroid.” (The girls’ many game nicknames are entertaining—Heidi Go Seek, Slamwhich, Panda-Monium, Draculola… So are the names of the hair color dyes they use—Agent Orange, Gang Green. Flaming Flamingo… They made me laugh.) She also comes to understand the importance of being a team player even when she’s not in the spotlight. That is a hard lesson to learn.
I was pretty shocked at how many positive takeaways Ms. Jamieson managed to cram into this short book apart. Apart from athletics, Astrid must navigate the challenging waters of tween relationships and learn to remain friendly even when friends grow apart. She figures out how to reciprocate in those relationships with thoughtfulness and creativity instead of always focusing on herself. She manages to come clean with Mom and agrees to keep the lines of communication open during the tumultuous teen years. And she still sticks to her skating goals despite everything.
If you’ve ever seen roller derby, you realize the subject has the potential for some questionable content: inappropriate stage nicknames, immodest costumes, violence, language, etc. It’s all kept under wraps here. Some of the name calling might make the squeamish cringe—like “rat-faced jerk,” and “As-turd”. Especially if your kids tend to parrot them on their siblings. Nevertheless, I would have given this one a pass to my kids. In an interesting aside, the author actually played roller derby herself, which would be how she pulled off derby camp off so authentically. It’s a unique case of “writing what you know.”
I
’ve seen this one billed as young adult. I’d say middle grade, with strong appeal for ages 10-12. Astrid and Nicole are only preteens themselves. Did I love it? No. I still prefer a regular novel every time. But I did come to respect Ms. Jamieson’s skill in telling a compelling story within the confines of the graphic novel.
Ages 10-12
Grab a copy of Roller Girl off Amazon.
I’m more of a traditional novel reader but did read this one and enjoyed it. Thanks for reintroducing it to anyone new to the title. As always, it’s great to have you participate in MMGM!
Yeah, I’m a few years behind. 🙂 Working back in. And thanks!
Roller Derby camp sounds fun, sure to be a hit. Not sure the audio would’ve worked for me either, but great that you got the physical book also. I unfortunately didn’t get my MMGM post in on time, but I do have a post today of The Cookie Crumbles if you’re interested in checking it out. Have a lovely week.
It took me a few days to make the MMGM rounds last week, and I had trouble leaving comments on some, so I didn’t on all of them. But I did read them all. I’ll wander over!
I do prefer a regular novel. But I did really enjoy this one. My niece adores this book!
I can see the appeal for a young girl. Lotsa girl power inside!
That’s funny that you started reading the audio version not knowing that it was a graphic novel. I’m glad you enjoyed it even if you didn’t love it.
I’ll definitely look closer the next time I check out an audio book, lol!
Your first reaction to this book might be why graphic novels don’t make good audio books. I’m glad you reread it and experienced the images, etc. I haven’t read it, but it does sound good for the audience you describe.
I agree. They’re too visual for an audio-only experience. Slow readers can listen to as they read along, I suppose, but even then the audio would probably move too fast to really take in the pictures.