Match Point!
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
For fans of Roller Girl and The Tryout, a graphic novel about an unlikely friendship that blossoms on the racquetball court.
Rosie Vo hates racquetball because of the pressure she feels from her racquetball-obsessed dad. But her feelings slowly start to change when she becomes fast friends with Blair, the new kid in town, who is super nice and amazing at racquetball.
Rosie’s convinced Blair is the answer to all her dad-problems. If only Blair could win the town’s annual tournament and be the racquetball genius Rosie’s dad has always wanted! But Blair disagrees, hoping to show Rosie how fun racquetball truly is. With her friend by her side, maybe Rosie could gain something more meaningful than just a tournament medal.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gallegos crafts an emotionally resonant graphic novel debut in which a tween learns how to navigate others' expectations. Rosie, portrayed with tan skin, wants nothing to do with racquetball. Her racquetball-playing father, however, insists that she apply herself to training: "You're not motivated to do anything else. If we don't do this, what are you going to be involved in?" he says. Following a failed practice that puts the father-daughter duo at odds, Rosie meets racquetball enthusiast Blair, who reads as Black, while biking around town. As the tweens become fast friends, Rosie—sure that Blair is everything her father has ever wanted in a future racquetball champion—schemes to pair the two up so he can train Blair for an upcoming youth tournament instead of her. Visually unique and intersectionally diverse characters populate this warmhearted jaunt, rendered in eye-catching full color and teeming with onomatopoeia depicted in bouncy, kinetic text bubbles. Grounded personal stakes provide catharsis for readers who can relate to Rosie's struggles connecting with her dad, while the protagonist's budding friendship with Blair showcases a healthy, nuanced relationship rooted in mutual understanding and acceptance of each other's perceived flaws. Ages 10–14.