Debut author Misty Wilson chronicles her seventh-grade experience as the only girl on her town’s football team in this empowering graphic memoir—illustrated by her husband—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?
Author’s note, with photograph. Full-color illustrations.
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Gr 5–8—For fans of Shannon Hale and Jennifer Holm, this graphic novel memoir tackles middle school drama on the football field. Misty and her best friend, Bree, decide to join the seventh-grade football team, but they quickly learn that it's not easy to tackle grumpy teammates on the field—or the perils of friendships in the classroom. With no administrative pressures in her way, the only things standing between Misty and her goals are the less-than-welcoming male teammates and her own self-esteem. While the illustration style is inviting and easy to sell to middle grade readers, and the story handles middle school conflicts like shifting friendships in a relatable way, the plot unfolds along a predictable arc, which could prevent readers from feeling fully invested. VERDICT The depiction of football is well done and will be a big draw, but the familiar path of the plot lessens the emotional buy-in for readers. Give this to sports-loving fans of Shannon Hale, Jennifer Holm, Kayla Miller, and Raina Telgemeier.—Aryssa Damron