The Tryout: A Graphic Novel
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4.4 • 105 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Could anything be more mortifying than trying out for cheerleader in front of your whole grade? This hilarious, highly relatable story will make you laugh, cry, and cheer! Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.
An Instant #1 Bestseller!
"A captivating middle-grade gem." - The New York Times Book Review
"Funny, relatable, and genuine." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Captures every nuanced emotion." - School Library Journal, starred review
"Genuinely nail-biting." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Cringe-worthy in the best possible way...inspiring and insightful." - Shelf Awareness, starred review
STAND TALL.BE LOUD.GAME FACE ON.
When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and her best friend, Megan, literally jump at the chance to join the squad. As two of the only kids of color in the school, they have always yearned to fit in-and the middle school cheerleaders are popular and accepted by everyone. But will the girls survive the terrifying tryouts, with their whole grade watching? And will their friendship withstand the pressures of competition?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Soontornvat (The Last Mapmaker) and illustrator Cacao artfully depict cheerleading drama and middle school woes in this moving graphic memoir. Christina lives with her Thailand-born father and white mother in a small Texan town, where they own the first Asian restaurant in the county. Her gregarious father, "always the center of attention," makes self-deprecating jokes in order to fit in, humor that Christina replicates to score points with white classmates, infuriating her Iranian American best friend, Megan. Auditioning together for the cheerleading squad, Christina and Megan face racist remarks from classmates (a bully repeatedly calls Christina "rice girl"). Nevertheless, the tweens endure a long and difficult training, finding a true passion for the sport leading up to their final tryout: performing a routine in front of the entire seventh grade, which votes to determine who makes the squad. Soontornvat's denouement is genuinely nail-biting, and the girls' earnest love for cheerleading is infectious, despite their experiences with outward prejudice. Via emotive close-ups, Cacao confidently conveys the girls' persistence, fluidly injecting their athletic pursuits with lively energy using bright color palettes and varied character design. An author's note and photographs conclude. Ages 8–12.
Customer Reviews
Cheerleader
 Being a cheerleader 📣 sounds great but a agree that the outfits are a little short and bending usual middle school dress code rules.
Really sweet
This book is a treasure! I love how Christina’s friends and family are always there for her! It also a very relatable book for someone in middle school. Also very lovable characters! I don’t have a single thing to complain about it! If your thinking about reading it, go for it!!! I say that you’ll like it just as much as me! Happy reading!
A great book
It’s a great kids book for ages 8-11 years old. I really liked the characters and their friendships. The back story of the main character’s family made it feel like a full and interesting story.