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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I thought I would like this book because I love gymnastics but I really really loved it! I mean it was so so good I am not even writing properly! I devoured this in basically two sittings, I didn’t want to do anything but read. If you like gymnastics you will absolutely love this book. It also dealt with such real life issues. Absolutely amazing! I wish there was a second one!
some of things I don't like about YA (special issues, characters abbreviated in weird ways for particular endings), some of the things I like about girls who do sports (rawr athletes + capable bodies!). Secretly I was hoping it was going to be a Megan Abbott book, because Dare Me spoiled me. But otherwise this was a fully engaging reading experience if you like to read compulsively till the end.
Interspersed stories of 5 young teens competing in the US National Gymnastics trials to determine which of them will make the Olympic team. Each one has her own internal and external demons to face. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed this look at the rough life for these young girls. Now I'd love to see a movie version...
I was really surprised about how good this book is (I'd love to give it 3.5 stars). I was really really impressed at most of the gymnastics (though some of the skills? GIVE ME A BREAK!!! A double pirouette on bars is absolutely impossible, a one armed giant into a release move?! OMG so can't happen) and that it was realistic. The writing was also very good in that there was drama but it wasn't stupid teenage drama that a lot of young adult novels have. I also liked that there was lesbian character and wasn't portrayed in your stereotypical lesbian.
Note: if you're a hardcore gymnastics fan, just be forewarned about it because there are some problems with the gymnastics part of it.
Note: if you're a hardcore gymnastics fan, just be forewarned about it because there are some problems with the gymnastics part of it.
Tumbling is such an intense read. I have always loved watching gymnastics – whether it was live Olympics or just TV shows or movies about gymnastics. This book was only my second experience reading about gymnasts. Wow. The whole book takes places over only two days, the US Olympic Trials. Twelve girls are competing, but the book only focuses on 5 of them. You know that part in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix where Hermione tries to explain Cho Chang’s feelings to Ron and Harry (because she was crying while kissing Harry)? That’s what this book is like. Each chapter takes you into the head of one of those 5 girls as they’re competing or getting ready to compete, and let me just tell you – there are a whole lot of feelings going on!
Gymnastics is a highly competitive world that pushes young girls’ bodies to the limits. They often have to give up a lot of their sport – going to school, dating, having “normal” friends (or maybe even any friends at all). Each of the characters has a different background or experience, but they’ve all made sacrifices, and some of them are beginning to question whether those sacrifices are worth it. Not to mention every interaction with another gymnast is questioned, even whether that other girl is a supposed friend. Again…it’s really intense.
My favorite characters were Wilhelmina and Monica. Wilhelmina is one of the older gymnasts. Because of where her birthday falls in relation to the Olympic age cut off, she never got her chance 4 years ago when she was at her peak, so she’s desperately trying to fulfill her dream this time around. But she hasn’t gone about things in the conventional way, and the bigwig of the gymnastics world doesn’t care for her. Monica is the nobody. She qualified for the Olympic trials seemingly out of nowhere. She’s never dreamed of the Olympics, but they might now be within her grasp…as an alternate, she hopes. She has idolized Wilhelmina since she was a little girl. They’re both underdogs, and I couldn’t help routing for them the whole time.
If you like gymnastics or competitive sports in general, or you just want to read an emotionally-charged book, check this one out. You won’t be disappointed. Now my question is…will there be a sequel? I need more of Caela Carter’s gymnastics world ASAP.
http://opinionatedbooklover.com/review-tumbling-caela-carter/
Gymnastics is a highly competitive world that pushes young girls’ bodies to the limits. They often have to give up a lot of their sport – going to school, dating, having “normal” friends (or maybe even any friends at all). Each of the characters has a different background or experience, but they’ve all made sacrifices, and some of them are beginning to question whether those sacrifices are worth it. Not to mention every interaction with another gymnast is questioned, even whether that other girl is a supposed friend. Again…it’s really intense.
My favorite characters were Wilhelmina and Monica. Wilhelmina is one of the older gymnasts. Because of where her birthday falls in relation to the Olympic age cut off, she never got her chance 4 years ago when she was at her peak, so she’s desperately trying to fulfill her dream this time around. But she hasn’t gone about things in the conventional way, and the bigwig of the gymnastics world doesn’t care for her. Monica is the nobody. She qualified for the Olympic trials seemingly out of nowhere. She’s never dreamed of the Olympics, but they might now be within her grasp…as an alternate, she hopes. She has idolized Wilhelmina since she was a little girl. They’re both underdogs, and I couldn’t help routing for them the whole time.
If you like gymnastics or competitive sports in general, or you just want to read an emotionally-charged book, check this one out. You won’t be disappointed. Now my question is…will there be a sequel? I need more of Caela Carter’s gymnastics world ASAP.
http://opinionatedbooklover.com/review-tumbling-caela-carter/
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
Timely. I tore through this because I'm a fiend for Olympic gymnastics. I wish there was more background for these girls...more of a backstory anyway. This wasn't just about gymnastics and goals. It was about unbridled desire and doing whatever it takes to get to the top. This isn't how I want to think of Olympic competitors but most likely this is how it works. The ending though. So cheesy. That I could have done without. Ugh.