Just Roll with it (Roller Girl)

 Jamieson, V. (2015) Roller Girl. New York, NY: Penguin Group

Spoilers ahead!

 

Astrid’s best friend is Nicole.  They do practically everything together.  Astrid’s mom likes to take them on evenings of cultural enlightenment.  Most of them are dull, but one night they go to the roller derby.  It is love at first site for Astrid, but not so much for Nicole.  When Astrid finds out there is a roller derby summer camp, she can think of nothing else.  But Nicole doesn’t want to do it, she wants to go to ballet camp.  Even worse, she wants to go to ballet camp with Astrid’s enemy number one, Rachel.

So Astrid finds herself feeling alone at roller derby with no back-up.  They start off and every seemingly is already knows how to do everything! Astrid can’t even skate.  After a rough, tough day at camp Astrid then has to walk home.  Her mom is under the impression that Nicole is also going to the camp and that Nicole’s mom is taking them home.  Astrid hasn’t corrected her.

Astrid doesn’t give up.  She shows up the next day, earning some respect from the other girls.  A girl close to her age, Zoey, gives her a sticker and Astrid begins a new friendship.  It is still hard work, but with Zoey’s support it isn’t so horrible. In addition, Astrid becomes locker pen pals with her favorite player, Rainbow Bite, who gives her words of advice and encouragement.  Astrid decides that to be fiercer, she needs to dye her hair.  Zoey is all too eager assist.  So Astrid gives her mom a fright when she shows up with blue hair.  Exciting news comes when they find out that the campers are going to have a bout during the half time at the next pro game!

After a run in with Rachel and Nicole at the park, Astrid feels she needs to make team.  She doubles her efforts, with Zoey in tow.  The Coaches notice and decide everyone can make the team! The scoring position, the Jammer, is what Astrid really wants.  Zoey gets Jammer.  Astrid is unhappy, and hurts Zoey by not cheering her on.  To make a bad day worse, Astrid’s mom finds out about the Nicole situation.  After an argument, a talk, and a hugging session, they go to Nicole’s house.  Astrid apologizes to Nicole’s mom, and sort of makes up with Nicole.  She turns everything around.  She decides to be the bigger person and invites Nicole and Rachel to the upcoming game.  She goes all out making decorations for the crowd to cheer on Zoey, AKA Slay Miserable.  She even gets Rainbow Bite to make a Slay Miserable poster.  Astrid takes the name Asteroid, and plays her heart out.  She’s still not great, but she does what she can.  It’s just enough to allow Slay to take the win for her team!

This book was a really fun read.  It is colorful, and I like the art style. The paneling and juxtaposition of some of the words made the story really pop.  Even the title page has action!  Astrid has a great imagination and seeing her thoughts drawn out made me laugh out loud.  I like the lesson about how people grow, change, and meet new people.  It is something I think every kid about that age (and beyond) has to learn.

I read this book because it is on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens list