Play Like a Girl
A Graphic Novel
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4.2 • 6 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Debut author Misty Wilson chronicles her seventh-grade experience as the only girl on her town’s football team in this empowering graphic memoir about teamwork, friendship, crushes, and touchdowns.
Misty never shies away from a challenge, on or off the field. So when the boys tell her she can’t play football, there’s only one thing to do: join their team and show them what she’s got.
But the training is rougher than she thought—and so are the other guys, who aren’t thrilled about having a girl on their team.
Middle school isn’t so easy, either. Misty wants to fit in with the popular kids, but they think a girl playing football is “weird.” Even her best friend doesn’t get it.
Can Misty find a way to score points with her teammates, make new friends, and show everyone—including herself—what it means to play like a girl?
“I am a huge fan of Misty and her courageous journey of staying true to herself. Readers will love her!” —Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series
“This is the book I wish I’d had as a kid. Misty’s passion for football and her fight to play in a male-dominated sport while balancing friendship and crushes makes for a winning read!” —Dr. Jen Welter, first female NFL coach, first female running back in men’s pro football, and founder of Grrridiron Girls
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Seventh grader Misty tackles middle school politics on and off the football field in the Wilsons' debut, a heartening graphic memoir by a husband-and-wife duo. Despite her stepdad and coach's support, Misty is discouraged by the hostility she receives from boys who resent having a girl on their football team. Though her best friend Bree reluctantly plays, too, Bree eventually quits to hang out with effortlessly cool Ava. In addition to Misty's struggles navigating taunts from her teammates, she must also endure painful barbs from both Ava and Bree, including their assumption that Misty doesn't like boys because of her love of sports and seemingly uncaring attitude toward her appearance. Hoping to alleviate rumors and mitigate bullying, Misty experiments with a more traditionally feminine gender expression by wearing skirts and makeup. As Misty juggles school and friendship drama, and hones her football skills, her sense of self takes shape. Expressive and brightly colored art, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier's, deftly captures early 2000s fashion and complicated football plays. Misty's busy blended family's dynamics are refreshing, and conversations surrounding social exclusion are sensitively rendered in this cathartic story of sports and identity. Ages 8–12.
