The Tryout: A Graphic Novel
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
STAND TALL.
BE LOUD.
GAME FACE ON.
This pitch perfect graphic memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging is perfect for fans of Smile, New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends.
"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
"Delightfully expressive...a standout." - Booklist
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?
Hilarious and highly relatable, The Tryout by two-time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat and shining new talent Joanna Cacao will make you laugh, cry, and cheer!
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.
My best book ever. LOVE IT 🥰 SO MUCH THANK YOU 🙏
I love it. My name is Annelise and I am 9 years old and I have a sister named Annjanette and she is 6. My brother is 13 and he is VERY MEAN. And I wanna be a cheerleader when I am 17. ❤️🩹 and I hope my best friend can get better soon.
Great Book!
Gifted this to my little sister and she absolutely enjoyed it!