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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
This was an interesting look into both a culture and a sport that I know nothing about. Fast read and relatable, even if I wasn't the target audience.
A lovely and compelling coming of age story about a young ice skater making a new friend, learning more about herself, and trying to come to terms with and accept her differences after she experiences bullying.
I definitely recommend this at times both funny and touching story to fans of figure skating and middle- grade novels.
I definitely recommend this at times both funny and touching story to fans of figure skating and middle- grade novels.
A lovely and compelling coming of age story about a young ice skater making a new friend, learning more about herself, and trying to come to terms with and accept her differences after she experiences bullying.
I definitely recommend this at times both funny and touching story to fans of figure skating and middle- grade novels.
I definitely recommend this at times both funny and touching story to fans of figure skating and middle- grade novels.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for review.
How refreshing to read a middle grade novel that doesn't dumb down emotions or racial profiling and can still be hopeful and informative. To have a strong female protagonist with flaws is a bonus.
Maxine skates and has her eye on an Olympic medal. She'll take a while to get there, so in the meantime, she practices hard, keeps up her school work, and deals with lost friendships and school bullies.
When she meets Hollie, a new skater in town who is almost perfect, Maxine is not looking for a friend. Who is this superstar here to compete?
When Maxine gets to know Hollie, she finds a friend. And while Maxine's parents throw every extra dollar at costumes and coaching, they still know there is more to life than at the rink. Hollie's mom is pushing for the best of the best, even if that means homeschooling to be on the rink more.
Not only a story in racism and school bullies, it's also a story of perseverance and learning the grass is not always greener in the other yard.
Recommend for grades 3 and up.
How refreshing to read a middle grade novel that doesn't dumb down emotions or racial profiling and can still be hopeful and informative. To have a strong female protagonist with flaws is a bonus.
Maxine skates and has her eye on an Olympic medal. She'll take a while to get there, so in the meantime, she practices hard, keeps up her school work, and deals with lost friendships and school bullies.
When she meets Hollie, a new skater in town who is almost perfect, Maxine is not looking for a friend. Who is this superstar here to compete?
When Maxine gets to know Hollie, she finds a friend. And while Maxine's parents throw every extra dollar at costumes and coaching, they still know there is more to life than at the rink. Hollie's mom is pushing for the best of the best, even if that means homeschooling to be on the rink more.
Not only a story in racism and school bullies, it's also a story of perseverance and learning the grass is not always greener in the other yard.
Recommend for grades 3 and up.
A wholesome story about a girl figure skating while also dealing with racism. I loved how the author took the themes to heart and discussed them in an easy but serious way.
This middle grade novel revolves around 12-year-old Maxine Chen, a competitive figure skater in Lake Placid, NY, aka one of the best places to train. Maxine is gearing up for competition season while also attempting to survive middle school as a Chinese-American girl in a very white town, and in a relatively white-dominated sport. This book was a quick read and discussed important topics like identity, beauty standards, racism, discipline, and how high-pressure sports can affect a person mentally, and physically. I was especially relieved to see that Maxine's parents were very supportive and understanding, making sure Maxine knew she was the decision-maker. That is not always the case in sports, especially figure skating.
As a former competitive figure skater myself, I found that a lot of what Maxine went through, I also went through. The hours spent living inside of an ice rink for various types of training aimed at improving speed, flexibility, stamina, and consistency were portrayed accurately, at least in my opinion. I was glad though that there were some positive aspects in this story as well, including the enemies-to-friends component, where Maxine was able to make a friend out of her competitor and fellow skater. I think that because I know what the rink-life is like, I was able to follow the story quite easily. The technicalities having to do with judge's scoring and names of elements were very familiar to me, and I am glad they were accurate. Someone without as much knowledge might get a little lost, though the author does an excellent job of explaining some of the more confusing terms or systems in play.
I think what was most fun about this reading experience was that as the movements on the ice were described, I could picture myself doing them, and I knew exactly how those movements would feel. I am glad that I read this one, and wish this book existed when I was trying to survive middle and/ or high school.
4.5 Stars.
As a former competitive figure skater myself, I found that a lot of what Maxine went through, I also went through. The hours spent living inside of an ice rink for various types of training aimed at improving speed, flexibility, stamina, and consistency were portrayed accurately, at least in my opinion. I was glad though that there were some positive aspects in this story as well, including the enemies-to-friends component, where Maxine was able to make a friend out of her competitor and fellow skater. I think that because I know what the rink-life is like, I was able to follow the story quite easily. The technicalities having to do with judge's scoring and names of elements were very familiar to me, and I am glad they were accurate. Someone without as much knowledge might get a little lost, though the author does an excellent job of explaining some of the more confusing terms or systems in play.
I think what was most fun about this reading experience was that as the movements on the ice were described, I could picture myself doing them, and I knew exactly how those movements would feel. I am glad that I read this one, and wish this book existed when I was trying to survive middle and/ or high school.
4.5 Stars.
This was such a good book... my heart was genuinely breaking for Maxine...
but honestly, this book deals with so much that kids go through at that age. Friendships ending, emotional outbursts, bullying, pressure, ...
It would have been fun to have a series following Maxine through school to the Olympics into adulthood... :)
but honestly, this book deals with so much that kids go through at that age. Friendships ending, emotional outbursts, bullying, pressure, ...
It would have been fun to have a series following Maxine through school to the Olympics into adulthood... :)
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Comeback may harken some darker themes, but it remains a light-hearted, feel-good story for any child who loves ice skating. Maxine is a funny and relatable main character. She's not perfect, for she can be mean, but she has the ability to understand her actions were wrong and correct them. The story discusses racist bullying and the importance of voicing your concerns. Shen manages to teach character lessons - not only moral, but others as well - without being preachy or annoying. It is woven gracefully into the story, and one would never even realize it is there.
Content Warnings: Racism/bullying
Content Warnings: Racism/bullying