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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Immaculate! Beautiful and fast paced. There is so much to learn about friendship and racism and bullying and different cultures, but at the same time it was just a joy to read. The skating vocab was on point. What a wonderful read!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So there's this obvious sort of disney channel ice girls feel
That a lot of this stuff has
And it definitely scratches that itch.
The racism content was more intense than I expected for this grade level
And it got me thinking about being a teacher
And what goes on behind my back
And what students might hide because involving me would make it worse
And how does that get fixed
Other things I've read/watched about this
Snack Time with MacKids: The Comeback with E. L. Shen (this is a reading)
The Kircus Review
That a lot of this stuff has
And it definitely scratches that itch.
The racism content was more intense than I expected for this grade level
And it got me thinking about being a teacher
And what goes on behind my back
And what students might hide because involving me would make it worse
And how does that get fixed
Other things I've read/watched about this
Snack Time with MacKids: The Comeback with E. L. Shen (this is a reading)
The Kircus Review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a very solid novel about a 12-year-old figure skater who loves to compete, despite her parents' reservations about the pressure of competition. When her best friend's crush on her school bully - a boy who targets Maxine with racist comments about her Chinese heritage - and a new, incredibly talented skater joins her rink, Maxine feels like her world is coming apart. However, she and Hollie, the new skater, overcome Maxine's initial fear of new competition and grow close. They share their struggles at school and at home - Hollie's parents homeschool her so she can focus on skating, and Hollie is beginning to get worn down by the incredible pressure - and become strong supports and friends. Maxine eventually has to open up about the racist bullying, and finds support in her school and in her parents.
Despite being a hardcore Yuri on Ice fan I know very little about actual, technical figure skating, but felt that this was still pretty accessible. Shen throws in skating terminology that a kid could look up if they are super interested, but if they're not it doesn't take away from the rest of the content of the novel. Maxine, despite being embroiled in the world of competitive figure skating, is a chill, relatable 12 year old. She likes "old nineties music" (when I read that bit my body just crumbled into dust), and digs into learning about women who did cool stuff during the Revolutionary War in her history class, but dreads her math homework. The moment between Maxine and Jennie, an older Asian figure skater, when they discuss makeup that works for her face rather than catering only to white skin, is really sweet and powerful. The connections Maxine builds to people throughout the novel - to Hollie, to Jennie as an older idol, and eventually, when she opens up, to her parents - feel really strong, and her earlier relationship with Victoria, who ditches her easily for a crush, feels flimsy in retrospect. Maxine is learning to find people who will really be in her corner, and how to trust and support them in kind. As an adult reader, I was very proud of her at the end.
Despite being a hardcore Yuri on Ice fan I know very little about actual, technical figure skating, but felt that this was still pretty accessible. Shen throws in skating terminology that a kid could look up if they are super interested, but if they're not it doesn't take away from the rest of the content of the novel. Maxine, despite being embroiled in the world of competitive figure skating, is a chill, relatable 12 year old. She likes "old nineties music" (when I read that bit my body just crumbled into dust), and digs into learning about women who did cool stuff during the Revolutionary War in her history class, but dreads her math homework. The moment between Maxine and Jennie, an older Asian figure skater, when they discuss makeup that works for her face rather than catering only to white skin, is really sweet and powerful. The connections Maxine builds to people throughout the novel - to Hollie, to Jennie as an older idol, and eventually, when she opens up, to her parents - feel really strong, and her earlier relationship with Victoria, who ditches her easily for a crush, feels flimsy in retrospect. Maxine is learning to find people who will really be in her corner, and how to trust and support them in kind. As an adult reader, I was very proud of her at the end.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Shen’s debut is a winning Middle Grade title in all kinds of ways. I can imagine pressing it into the hands of many young readers.
First off, the writing style is clear, direct, and has a down-to-earth tone that I think many kids will find real and accessible. This is not a poetic kind of Middle Grade reading experience, which I think makes this book better placed to have a broader audience than some books for this age group. Maxine sounds like a real kid. Her range of emotions and her way of dealing with the challenges she faces feel true to life.
It’s also nice to see a book about a hardworking kid pursuing her passion and not have the storyline be that she is some kind of dazzling super talent, or that she needs to achieve her Olympic dreams for all of the sacrifice to be worthwhile. I think kids will relate to Maxine’s dreams and also hopefully internalize a message that is important and worthy.
Speaking of important messages, the aspect of the novel where Maxine is faced with racism and racist microaggressions is really well done. Shen brings this topic centre stage and explores it thoughtfully. The way that Maxine holds onto the inspiration provided by her Asian figure skating idols shines in strong contrast to the painful experiences she has at school. Her parents’ support through these hardships is also conveyed sensitively.
This title is a fine example of realistic fiction, for kids who love sports, and stories about friendship and finding your inner strength.
First off, the writing style is clear, direct, and has a down-to-earth tone that I think many kids will find real and accessible. This is not a poetic kind of Middle Grade reading experience, which I think makes this book better placed to have a broader audience than some books for this age group. Maxine sounds like a real kid. Her range of emotions and her way of dealing with the challenges she faces feel true to life.
It’s also nice to see a book about a hardworking kid pursuing her passion and not have the storyline be that she is some kind of dazzling super talent, or that she needs to achieve her Olympic dreams for all of the sacrifice to be worthwhile. I think kids will relate to Maxine’s dreams and also hopefully internalize a message that is important and worthy.
Speaking of important messages, the aspect of the novel where Maxine is faced with racism and racist microaggressions is really well done. Shen brings this topic centre stage and explores it thoughtfully. The way that Maxine holds onto the inspiration provided by her Asian figure skating idols shines in strong contrast to the painful experiences she has at school. Her parents’ support through these hardships is also conveyed sensitively.
This title is a fine example of realistic fiction, for kids who love sports, and stories about friendship and finding your inner strength.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism