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inkysplodge's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Bullying
emma_lynn_writes's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I found this book to be surprisingly enjoyable! The writing style made it so much fun to read, and I also appreciated the lessons that Joss learned throughout the story. On top of that, the illustrations were gorgeous! My only critiques were a few minor lines and things having to do with my own personal preferences.
I found this book to be surprisingly enjoyable! The writing style made it so much fun to read, and I also appreciated the lessons that Joss learned throughout the story. On top of that, the illustrations were gorgeous! My only critiques were a few minor lines and things having to do with my own personal preferences.
impybelle's review against another edition
3.0
Joss Kendrick is a surfer girl, through and through. When her idol, Tina Hart launches a video contest where the prize includes a new board and a meet and greet, Joss and her best friend Sofia decide they have to enter. Unfortunately, Sofia and Joss can't get the footage they want without help from Joss's brother, Dylan. Dylan refuses (he's entering the contest, too) until Joss ups the ante on a bet: if she tries out and makes the cheer squad, Dylan has to help them out.
What starts out as a way to get her brother's help turns complicated when Joss realizes that she actually enjoys cheer and it's also helping her with surfing.
Alas, we very quickly run into a friendship snag. Sofia's into surfing and art and Joss is definitely more athletic and when they decide what their video should focus on, Joss is pretty stuck on her contribution: perfecting a trick that Tina Hart did at their age. She almost immediately blows Sofia off to practice, even when she knows it bothers Sofia. This happens a lot and yep, as soon as Joss makes cheer, Sofia feels left behind and left out and Joss is so focused on her own feeling of being torn between surfing and cheer that she can't see what's really gong on with Sofia until it's too late.
I get why friendship fights like this crop up so often in fiction, but it doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.
I did enjoy how Joss's deafness is handled (how she gets frustrated when people who should know better still turn away so she can't hear/understand them, how she enjoys quiet time without her hearing aid at the start and end of the day) and for the most part, I think the cast of characters is pretty entertaining. And this is tiny, but I love that Murph, the surfing dog, is a girl.
What starts out as a way to get her brother's help turns complicated when Joss realizes that she actually enjoys cheer and it's also helping her with surfing.
Alas, we very quickly run into a friendship snag. Sofia's into surfing and art and Joss is definitely more athletic and when they decide what their video should focus on, Joss is pretty stuck on her contribution: perfecting a trick that Tina Hart did at their age. She almost immediately blows Sofia off to practice, even when she knows it bothers Sofia. This happens a lot and yep, as soon as Joss makes cheer, Sofia feels left behind and left out and Joss is so focused on her own feeling of being torn between surfing and cheer that she can't see what's really gong on with Sofia until it's too late.
I get why friendship fights like this crop up so often in fiction, but it doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.
I did enjoy how Joss's deafness is handled (how she gets frustrated when people who should know better still turn away so she can't hear/understand them, how she enjoys quiet time without her hearing aid at the start and end of the day) and for the most part, I think the cast of characters is pretty entertaining. And this is tiny, but I love that Murph, the surfing dog, is a girl.
oliviak07's review against another edition
3.0
One of the recent post trends in the world of Deaf social media entails the American Girl: Girl of the Year 2020, Joss, and how she wears a hearing aid due to her partial deafness. Given that I was a girl of the 90s who owned several dolls and items from the American Girl brand, and my goal to read every book in my library that includes characters on every side of hearing spectrum, I decided to give the new series a try.
Although the book is clearly aimed at a specific age group (9-11 years of age), in part due to the choice and the flow of words and the plot, I have to admire the positive lessons and experiences Joss and her friends and family have even if they are in the wake of not so positive moments.
I was glad to see how much consultation was used for this story, since it is vital to have authenticity in any lead character for younger and older audiences. With diverse and authentic representation anyone can be and feel like a hero because they identify with someone else who mirrors their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Falligant sought out the advice and stories of several notable names in the Deaf community, the surfing community, and the cheerleading community. Due to this research and effort readers will respect these lives and interests whether they are their own or not.
First there was the introduction of the wheelchair accessory for dolls, and later the red tipped cane. I hope the hearing aid is far from the last 'accessory' to be included in toys and books aimed at the younger generation. From the looks of it, and the responses from the Deaf and the disabled community as well as the abled community, it will not be.
Although the book is clearly aimed at a specific age group (9-11 years of age), in part due to the choice and the flow of words and the plot, I have to admire the positive lessons and experiences Joss and her friends and family have even if they are in the wake of not so positive moments.
I was glad to see how much consultation was used for this story, since it is vital to have authenticity in any lead character for younger and older audiences. With diverse and authentic representation anyone can be and feel like a hero because they identify with someone else who mirrors their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Falligant sought out the advice and stories of several notable names in the Deaf community, the surfing community, and the cheerleading community. Due to this research and effort readers will respect these lives and interests whether they are their own or not.
First there was the introduction of the wheelchair accessory for dolls, and later the red tipped cane. I hope the hearing aid is far from the last 'accessory' to be included in toys and books aimed at the younger generation. From the looks of it, and the responses from the Deaf and the disabled community as well as the abled community, it will not be.
jenmccredy's review against another edition
5.0
5 star book and I really really loved this book!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I love the ocean and cheerleading,so if your like me this book is for you!
lenoirleon's review against another edition
4.0
Back at the beginning of the year, there was a lot of excitement about American Girl’s Girl of the Year and the new book. I listened and read, but also kind of ignored it. So often, I feel like things revolving around hearing impairment are publicized, but they’re not accurate. Maybe they talk a lot about lip reading (really isn’t a valid mode of communication, but it can help a little)or someone wears a hearing aid or speech processor and hears everything perfectly(it doesn’t work like that-and it doesn’t fix not hearing words or understanding language). So I figured this book would fall in that category.
But I was wrong. I can’t speak from experience of what it’s like to have a hearing loss. But the challenges that Joss faces-the extra responsibility placed on her for keeping up with her hearing aid, the fact that even with her hearing aid in, she misses words in conversations when backs are turned or environmental noise is high, the use of the transmitter/pen, losing her hearing aid and having to ask everyone to help-I see my students deal with those daily. Perhaps Joss is a little more confident and a stronger advocate than many of the kids I’ve worked with-especially for a ten year old-but the portrayal of what a child with a hearing loss faces on a daily basis was, in my eyes, very realistic.
So, as a teacher of students with hearing loss-I definitely endorse this book. Read it.
But I was wrong. I can’t speak from experience of what it’s like to have a hearing loss. But the challenges that Joss faces-the extra responsibility placed on her for keeping up with her hearing aid, the fact that even with her hearing aid in, she misses words in conversations when backs are turned or environmental noise is high, the use of the transmitter/pen, losing her hearing aid and having to ask everyone to help-I see my students deal with those daily. Perhaps Joss is a little more confident and a stronger advocate than many of the kids I’ve worked with-especially for a ten year old-but the portrayal of what a child with a hearing loss faces on a daily basis was, in my eyes, very realistic.
So, as a teacher of students with hearing loss-I definitely endorse this book. Read it.
ktamerlano's review against another edition
5.0
My daughter loved this book and asked me to read it. The messages for young girls (and all of us really) about being true to yourself are great. I highly recommend this book!
amber_and_her_books's review against another edition
5.0
“You can do more than one thing…that’s what makes you YOU.” Don’t let others tell you how to be.
A feel good story about a deaf and hard of hearing ten year old, who uses cheerleading to help her with surfing techniques.
The back of the book includes a glossary of surfing and cheerleading terms. It’s very helpful if you know nothing about these sports.
The illustrations really brought the story to life! I wanted to jump right in and be at the beach making art with Sofia.
The author really highlighted Joss’s hearing loss throughout her journey. As a deaf and hard of hearing child/adult myself, I could relate 100% with her communication struggles.
Overall, wonderful narrative of the importance of friendship, being respectful towards others, doing what you love while having fun doing it, and staying true to who you are. It’s all about the journey. Not the destination.
A feel good story about a deaf and hard of hearing ten year old, who uses cheerleading to help her with surfing techniques.
The back of the book includes a glossary of surfing and cheerleading terms. It’s very helpful if you know nothing about these sports.
The illustrations really brought the story to life! I wanted to jump right in and be at the beach making art with Sofia.
The author really highlighted Joss’s hearing loss throughout her journey. As a deaf and hard of hearing child/adult myself, I could relate 100% with her communication struggles.
Overall, wonderful narrative of the importance of friendship, being respectful towards others, doing what you love while having fun doing it, and staying true to who you are. It’s all about the journey. Not the destination.