By Victoria Jamieson
Fantastic graphic novel of a twelve year old girl, Astrid, learning how friendships change and finding new interests. She is used to doing everything with her best friend until she realizes they have different interests. She falls in love with roller derby and joins a roller derby summer camp while her best friend is involved in dance. The author does a great job telling about Astrid’s adventures learning something new, making new friends, and discovering who she is.
Great read for the fans of Smile, Sisters, and El Deafo. It does have mild language use (3 times in the story) when Astrid talks about a nickname she was given. Because she is learning who she is, she makes a few changes that also prompts two characters to ask if she is on drugs. Just something to keep in mind when recommending this book for students.
Review by Vanessa Eyre, Robert Frost Media Center
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 6-9
Author Website: http://www.victoriajamieson.com/
Roller Girl
Written by Victoria Jamieson
Dial Books for Young Readers
239 pages
Release Date: March 10, 2015
I have not really been a fan of graphic novels in the past but some of the books I’ve read recently have changed my opinion of them, this book included. I’m loving watching students who haven’t been interested in reading finally get excited about reading the new graphic novels I have in the library. I’m so glad great stories, like Roller Girl and El Deafo, are being told in this format.
I’m so excited about this book being a Beehive nominee this year! I’m not a fan of graphic novels, but this one was amazing. I recommend it to a lot of 5th and 6th graders.