Scan barcode
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Happiest Girl in the World by Alena Dillon is an engrossing novel about the perils of children and sports.
Sera Wheeler is gifted gymnast who works hard to achieve her dream of competing in the Olympics. She and her best friend Lucy are inseparable from a young age as they train and attend training camps together. As the years pass, Lucy attracts the attention of USA Gymnastics doctor Eddie Levett. Will Sera put her own goals ahead of supporting Lucy when her friend works up the courage to speak up about Dr. Eddie’s inappropriate touching?
Sera’s mom Charlene is determined to do whatever it takes to pay for Sera’s training. Sera genuinely loves the sport but as the years pass, she becomes obsessed with making the Olympic team. She powers through injuries and puts herself at risk as she follows one of her coach’s dubious instructions. Sera’s father Bob is not always in favor of Charlene’s decisions, but she has her ways to overcome his objections.
After Lucy’s revelation about Dr. Eddie, Sera is torn between loyalty to her friend and her own dreams. She wrestles with whether or not Lucy’s accusations are true and eventually asks her parents’ advice. When Lucy finally tells someone in charge of their training, Sera knows what will happen if she backs up her friend. But what is more important: her friendship or her Olympic dreams?
The Happiest Girl in the World is a captivating novel that does not downplay the darker side of gymnastics. Sera’s drive to succeed is often at odds with what is best for her health. The Dr. Eddie story arc is a cautionary tale of predatory men in respected positions preying on children in the sports world. Alena Dillon provides an in-depth and detailed behind the scenes look at the physical toll that competitive sports takes on young athletes. A highly informative and enjoyable novel that I recommend to readers of the genre.
The Happiest Girl in the World by Alena Dillon is an engrossing novel about the perils of children and sports.
Sera Wheeler is gifted gymnast who works hard to achieve her dream of competing in the Olympics. She and her best friend Lucy are inseparable from a young age as they train and attend training camps together. As the years pass, Lucy attracts the attention of USA Gymnastics doctor Eddie Levett. Will Sera put her own goals ahead of supporting Lucy when her friend works up the courage to speak up about Dr. Eddie’s inappropriate touching?
Sera’s mom Charlene is determined to do whatever it takes to pay for Sera’s training. Sera genuinely loves the sport but as the years pass, she becomes obsessed with making the Olympic team. She powers through injuries and puts herself at risk as she follows one of her coach’s dubious instructions. Sera’s father Bob is not always in favor of Charlene’s decisions, but she has her ways to overcome his objections.
After Lucy’s revelation about Dr. Eddie, Sera is torn between loyalty to her friend and her own dreams. She wrestles with whether or not Lucy’s accusations are true and eventually asks her parents’ advice. When Lucy finally tells someone in charge of their training, Sera knows what will happen if she backs up her friend. But what is more important: her friendship or her Olympic dreams?
The Happiest Girl in the World is a captivating novel that does not downplay the darker side of gymnastics. Sera’s drive to succeed is often at odds with what is best for her health. The Dr. Eddie story arc is a cautionary tale of predatory men in respected positions preying on children in the sports world. Alena Dillon provides an in-depth and detailed behind the scenes look at the physical toll that competitive sports takes on young athletes. A highly informative and enjoyable novel that I recommend to readers of the genre.
southernbellebooks's review
3.0
This book was easy to read and written well but I think it followed too closely to the actual USA Gymnastics scandal with Larry Nasser. I thought it was interesting to read about what the girls possibly went through behind the scenes, especially with their parents. I thought it offered a fresh perspective but felt like I had read this exact thing in other books already. I think this book is coming out two years too late, if that makes sense. I would definitely read more from this author though.
jilljaracz's review
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
As an Olympics geek, I was looking forward to a fictional story about an Olympic sport. This had very thinly veiled references to the Karolyis and Larry Nassar, which apparently was done so in the name of "authenticity," but if the author goes to the trouble of using real gymnasts' names, using fake names for some characters seems ridiculous (there are 49 other states and all kinds of words to describe a compound, but the big national camp is set at the "ranch" in Texas? And this is apparently ficticious?).
The fine line between depicting Midwesterners accurately and making them stereotypes got crossed a lot--a scene over a family dinner in Wisconsin? Of course they're eating bratwurst!
On the whole, this was fairly one note, with many unresolved details. It's a quick read though, which is why I finished it.
The fine line between depicting Midwesterners accurately and making them stereotypes got crossed a lot--a scene over a family dinner in Wisconsin? Of course they're eating bratwurst!
On the whole, this was fairly one note, with many unresolved details. It's a quick read though, which is why I finished it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
kaylamae0415's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jesstob's review
3.0
The first and second half of this book feel completely different. I loved the first part, and then it seemed to somewhat fall apart. All in all, an eye-opening look at what a professional athlete has to endure.
leahwa's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lizzycaitlin's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
daralexandria's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Medical trauma
kaileymgrdichian's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5