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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This book made me feel like I was doing exactly what the characters were doing and seeing.
Surprisingly readable. I had some hesitations going in, and I almost bounced out, but in the end, I read it in one day. It shows the different pressures on all the girls, even Monica, who goes in aiming for "don't fall." In the end, she's the most well-adjusted of the competitors. The stuff with some of the adults was brutal, especially Ted and Katja. I really felt for Monica when Ted finally started paying attention to her. I was glad that her response was anger rather than letting his criticism get to her. Right on, girl! Katja was clearly the villain of the piece, but I'm extra glad that Wilhelmina doesn't let Katja intimidate her.
This was a really interesting book. It’s always surprising how much pain and suffering athletes put themselves through to be the winner. I liked that it looked at several different gymnasts and their experiences. A lot happens over two days.
Grace cares more about gymnastics than she cares about anything. She has the "international" look that appeals to judges. But with younger, smaller gymnasts coming along all the time, Grace is desperate to keep her edge--even if it hurts her.
Leigh is Grace's best friend but it's hard to balance friendship with their constant competition for first place. Leigh balances a normal life in school with her professional aspirations at the gym but she doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere.
Camille was an Olympian four years ago--but only for a day. Now everyone is cheering for "Comeback Cammie" as she tries to make the team again. Between her mother's expectations and her boyfriend's disapproval, she isn't even sure she wants to be an Olympian anymore.
At nineteen Wilhemina is practically a different generation from the other girls competing when it comes to gym years. She missed her chance four years ago because her birthday was four days too late. This time she isn't going to let anything stand in her way, especially not petty gymnastics politics.
Monica is far from the top and everyone knows it. She's a decent gymnast. She'll definitely qualify for an NCAA scholarship one day. But she knows to keep her expectations low because hoping for more and falling short will hurt too much.
These five girls are gambling everything--every choice they have made for their entire lives--on how well they perform at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials. At the end of the trials some of the girls will be stars, some will have nothing. All of them will be changed forever in Tumbling (2016) by Caela Carter.
Tumbling rotates between five perspectives (all close, third-person) throughout the novel to explore Grace, Leigh, Camille, Wilhemina, and Veronica's stories. Set over the two days of the meet for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials this story explore their individual stories as well as their (sometimes unexpected) moments of intersection. These girls are also a diverse and inclusive group that reflect the real face of this sport.
Carter takes this ambitious structure and handles it well. Each girl's personality comes through in her individual sections as well as in the larger plot of the novel. Supplemental material including a roster with all of the characters (and the seven other gymnasts competing at the trials) and a glossary of gymnastics terms will help even the least initiated feel like a gymnastics expert while reading.
Tumbling explore the competitive and grueling nature of gymnastics. All of the girls are struggling with something whether it's body image and not eating, self-esteem, figuring out if being a lesbian really needs to be a part of a public gymnast persona, or just self-esteem. While this book highlights the thrill of competition (and the drama), it also is an honest portrayal of the work and dedication needed to compete at such a high level. Themes of body positivity and staying healthy while competing are also stressed throughout.
While there is drama, fierce competition, and some intense conflict the overwhelming focus of Tumbling is on positivity and friendship. Yes, these five girls are competing. But it's not always with each other so much as it is to be the best. While each character is flawed, by the end of the story they are all striving to build each other up and be better versions of themselves both in and out of competition.
Readers will think they know what to expect at the start of Tumbling but Carter artfully includes realistic twists and surprises that leave several characters in surprising circumstances by the end of the novel. Veronica and Wilhemina's arcs are particularly satisfying and work well to bring the entire novel together. Highly recommended for gymnastics enthusiasts as well as readers looking for an exciting book with a strong cast of female characters.
Possible Pairings: Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson, Rival by Sarah Bennett-Wealer, Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton, Bunheads by Sophie Flack, The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman, The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson, Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma
Leigh is Grace's best friend but it's hard to balance friendship with their constant competition for first place. Leigh balances a normal life in school with her professional aspirations at the gym but she doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere.
Camille was an Olympian four years ago--but only for a day. Now everyone is cheering for "Comeback Cammie" as she tries to make the team again. Between her mother's expectations and her boyfriend's disapproval, she isn't even sure she wants to be an Olympian anymore.
At nineteen Wilhemina is practically a different generation from the other girls competing when it comes to gym years. She missed her chance four years ago because her birthday was four days too late. This time she isn't going to let anything stand in her way, especially not petty gymnastics politics.
Monica is far from the top and everyone knows it. She's a decent gymnast. She'll definitely qualify for an NCAA scholarship one day. But she knows to keep her expectations low because hoping for more and falling short will hurt too much.
These five girls are gambling everything--every choice they have made for their entire lives--on how well they perform at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials. At the end of the trials some of the girls will be stars, some will have nothing. All of them will be changed forever in Tumbling (2016) by Caela Carter.
Tumbling rotates between five perspectives (all close, third-person) throughout the novel to explore Grace, Leigh, Camille, Wilhemina, and Veronica's stories. Set over the two days of the meet for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials this story explore their individual stories as well as their (sometimes unexpected) moments of intersection. These girls are also a diverse and inclusive group that reflect the real face of this sport.
Carter takes this ambitious structure and handles it well. Each girl's personality comes through in her individual sections as well as in the larger plot of the novel. Supplemental material including a roster with all of the characters (and the seven other gymnasts competing at the trials) and a glossary of gymnastics terms will help even the least initiated feel like a gymnastics expert while reading.
Tumbling explore the competitive and grueling nature of gymnastics. All of the girls are struggling with something whether it's body image and not eating, self-esteem, figuring out if being a lesbian really needs to be a part of a public gymnast persona, or just self-esteem. While this book highlights the thrill of competition (and the drama), it also is an honest portrayal of the work and dedication needed to compete at such a high level. Themes of body positivity and staying healthy while competing are also stressed throughout.
While there is drama, fierce competition, and some intense conflict the overwhelming focus of Tumbling is on positivity and friendship. Yes, these five girls are competing. But it's not always with each other so much as it is to be the best. While each character is flawed, by the end of the story they are all striving to build each other up and be better versions of themselves both in and out of competition.
Readers will think they know what to expect at the start of Tumbling but Carter artfully includes realistic twists and surprises that leave several characters in surprising circumstances by the end of the novel. Veronica and Wilhemina's arcs are particularly satisfying and work well to bring the entire novel together. Highly recommended for gymnastics enthusiasts as well as readers looking for an exciting book with a strong cast of female characters.
Possible Pairings: Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson, Rival by Sarah Bennett-Wealer, Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton, Bunheads by Sophie Flack, The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman, The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson, Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma
I read this right as the Olympics started, so NATURALLY, it pumped me up!! Not all these characters were likeable, and I had my reservations about reading so many points of view. But somehow, Caela Carter made it all work. I could hardly stop reading!
I didn't really agree with Leigh and Grace's new plans. Things change so, so fast in the Olympics. Not everyone has a comeback story, and Wilhelmina KNOWS how hard it is to stay relevant in a sport that rewards people who are younger, faster, and smaller. My really felt for Leigh. I hope that one day, she feels comfortable being herself. Heck, I felt for Grace too. I don't know how realistic it was for her to gain so much self-awareness at the end, but I guess I want to believe that she'll take care of herself.
I loved Monica and Wilhelmina. An unlikely friendship between competitors. They appreciated all their opportunities and worked their butts off. I respect that.
Camille was such an interesting case. I just wanted her to be happy. It sucks that her support system kept trying to push her in different directions. At the end of the day, I think she figured out what was really important to her. I'm glad she took matters into her own hands before it was too late.
This book had interesting, nuanced characters. With multiple POVs, I often find myself favouring one over the others. In this case, I was happy to switch between the viewpoints as the meet wore on. The perfect read at the perfect time!
I didn't really agree with Leigh and Grace's new plans. Things change so, so fast in the Olympics. Not everyone has a comeback story, and Wilhelmina KNOWS how hard it is to stay relevant in a sport that rewards people who are younger, faster, and smaller. My really felt for Leigh. I hope that one day, she feels comfortable being herself. Heck, I felt for Grace too. I don't know how realistic it was for her to gain so much self-awareness at the end, but I guess I want to believe that she'll take care of herself.
I loved Monica and Wilhelmina. An unlikely friendship between competitors. They appreciated all their opportunities and worked their butts off. I respect that.
Camille was such an interesting case. I just wanted her to be happy. It sucks that her support system kept trying to push her in different directions. At the end of the day, I think she figured out what was really important to her. I'm glad she took matters into her own hands before it was too late.
This book had interesting, nuanced characters. With multiple POVs, I often find myself favouring one over the others. In this case, I was happy to switch between the viewpoints as the meet wore on. The perfect read at the perfect time!
I'm super impressed by two things here: first, that Carter managed to spend 400+ pages on two days of plot and still keep it interesting, and second, that the characters all stayed distinct.
Plotwise, this is pretty straightforward: it's the US Olympic trials for women's gymnastics, and the characters are battling it out for a spot on the team. Two days, five POV characters, four events, several secrets, one goal.
What keeps it interesting, though, is that it's not really one goal—it's several. For all that they're all at the Olympic trials, they want different things out of it. Leigh just wants to qualify. Grace won't be happy unless she not only qualifies but blows the rest of the competition (including her best friend) out of the water. Camille wants to vault, but she doesn't like the politics and the drama and the pressure that come with competitive gymnastics. Wilhelmina wants to qualify, but she also wants to prove that she doesn't have to break her body to do so. And Monica isn't here to compete, not really; her longstanding goal is don't fall.
The plot is to an extent predictable, which is to say that there are certain elements that are just...going to be there. But there are also a lot of twists that I wouldn't have anticipated; there's a level of unpredictability that feels right for the sport. The rankings fluctuate. People succeed, or stumble, where you might not expect. Carter also works in some subtle diversity in ways that I don't see enough of in YA.
Excellent read for gymnastics fans. I want more books like this.
Plotwise, this is pretty straightforward: it's the US Olympic trials for women's gymnastics, and the characters are battling it out for a spot on the team. Two days, five POV characters, four events, several secrets, one goal.
What keeps it interesting, though, is that it's not really one goal—it's several. For all that they're all at the Olympic trials, they want different things out of it. Leigh just wants to qualify. Grace won't be happy unless she not only qualifies but blows the rest of the competition (including her best friend) out of the water. Camille wants to vault, but she doesn't like the politics and the drama and the pressure that come with competitive gymnastics. Wilhelmina wants to qualify, but she also wants to prove that she doesn't have to break her body to do so. And Monica isn't here to compete, not really; her longstanding goal is don't fall.
The plot is to an extent predictable, which is to say that there are certain elements that are just...going to be there. But there are also a lot of twists that I wouldn't have anticipated; there's a level of unpredictability that feels right for the sport. The rankings fluctuate. People succeed, or stumble, where you might not expect. Carter also works in some subtle diversity in ways that I don't see enough of in YA.
Excellent read for gymnastics fans. I want more books like this.
Such a timely read since the 2016 gymnastics Olympic trials are happening this weekend!
Loved being in the world of gymnastics for just a little while! This book would have been perfect for the younger me!
Some mature content (sexual identity, eating disorders).
Loved being in the world of gymnastics for just a little while! This book would have been perfect for the younger me!
Some mature content (sexual identity, eating disorders).
Disclosure; Penguin Teen sent me a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. This did not affect my opinions in any way.
Wow. Full review to come.
Wow. Full review to come.
I thought the ending was a little unrealistic and I wasn't satisfied by the resolution of one of the girls' subplots but I really enjoyed this and could easily recommend it.