Rollergirl

Astrid Vasquez discovers roller derby in fifth grade when her mother takes her to a local bout. She signs up for junior derby summer camp, determined to transform herself into "Asteroid" - her new derby persona. As she learns to skate and block, Astrid navigates the start of middle school without her longtime best friend Nicole. The story follows Astrid's intense derby training as she prepares for her first bout with the Rose City Rollers junior league. Through bruises, falls, and exhaustion, she pushes herself to improve while dealing with changing friendships and growing independence from her mother. Jamieson's graphic novel format brings the fast-paced world of roller derby to life through dynamic illustrations and authentic derby terminology. The book includes real details about rules, gear, and culture from the author's own experience as a skater. This coming-of-age story explores themes of identity formation, perseverance, and the courage to pursue new passions even when they take you away from familiar territory.

Readers consistently rate Rollergirl highly for its authentic portrayal of middle school friendships and growing pains. Parents and teachers note that it resonates with preteens navigating social changes and identity formation. Readers highlight: - Relatable main character dealing with realistic challenges - Accurate depiction of roller derby culture and terminology - Strong messages about perseverance and finding your passion - Art style that captures emotion and action effectively Common criticisms: - Some felt the pacing was slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more roller derby action scenes - Minor complaints about predictable plot elements Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (48,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,900+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 (parent reviews) "Perfect for fans outgrowing Raina Telgemeier," notes one librarian reviewer. A middle school teacher writes, "Students keep requesting this book and passing it to friends - always a good sign."

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🛼 Author Victoria Jamieson competed in roller derby under the name "Winnie the Pow" while living in Portland, Oregon, which inspired her to write this graphic novel. 📚 The book won a Newbery Honor Award in 2016, making it one of very few graphic novels to receive this prestigious recognition. 🛼 Real roller derby terms featured in the book, like "jammer" and "blocker," originated in the 1930s when the sport was first invented. 🎨 Victoria Jamieson worked as a children's book illustrator before writing and illustrating her own graphic novels, including work for the American Girl company. 🛼 Modern roller derby, as depicted in the book, was revived in Austin, Texas in 2001 and has since grown to include more than 1,200 amateur leagues worldwide.