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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
"So many adults forget how much courage it takes to just be a kid." No truer words written by the author. The pressure to be "popular" is enormous in middle school and Christina Soontornvat hits the bullseye with this incredible Graphic Novel. Reflecting on her own experiences Soontornvat focuses not just on the pressures of popularity, but dealing with racism, acceptance and finding their own identity, trying to fit in, while being terrified of losing the one person she can always count on, her best friend. So many "what if" thoughts go through the minds of middle schoolers. While the GN focuses a lot on the pressure of the cheerleading tryouts, that doesn't detract from the story as a whole. The graphics fit perfectly with the storyline. The facial expressions of hurt and confusion and stress come through the pages. This is one GN that will not stay on my shelves once added to the collection.
About navigating middle school as someone who always stands out in a Texas town for being Thai-American. Also, a terrible terrible format for cheer tryouts.
I loved seeing Christina and others find the places that did fit them and also know that they did do well in the cheer tryout, even if the popularity feedback loop aspect of it didn't reward that. The friendship between Christina and Megan is also so lovely even when it's hard.
Other favorite: Christina's dad.
I loved seeing Christina and others find the places that did fit them and also know that they did do well in the cheer tryout, even if the popularity feedback loop aspect of it didn't reward that. The friendship between Christina and Megan is also so lovely even when it's hard.
Other favorite: Christina's dad.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Reading 2022
Book 153: The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat
Found this book when writing a review for another graphic novel. This is a graphic memoir reviewed for ages reviewed for grade 3 and higher. Another book I would say would be more for middle school kids. The book is set in middle school and the complexity of the relationships is more for middle school readers in my opinion. Also the book is set in Texas.
Synopsis: This pitch perfect graphic memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging is perfect for fans of Smile, New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends.
Review: A great graphic memoir read. As a former middle school teacher, I can see this being a book that was not on my classroom shelves very much. So much of what Christina discusses in this book would hit home with middle school kids. My rating 4.5⭐️.
Book 153: The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat
Found this book when writing a review for another graphic novel. This is a graphic memoir reviewed for ages reviewed for grade 3 and higher. Another book I would say would be more for middle school kids. The book is set in middle school and the complexity of the relationships is more for middle school readers in my opinion. Also the book is set in Texas.
Synopsis: This pitch perfect graphic memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging is perfect for fans of Smile, New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends.
Review: A great graphic memoir read. As a former middle school teacher, I can see this being a book that was not on my classroom shelves very much. So much of what Christina discusses in this book would hit home with middle school kids. My rating 4.5⭐️.
The Tryout is a fantastic graphic memoir that will appeal to fans of sports stories and books about life as a minority and child of immigrants. The author does an excellent job of balancing hard moments with funny moments of levity throughout the story. Filled with beautiful full-color illustrations and centering a biracial Asian-American protagonist, I’m sure lots of kids will see themselves in Christina’s story.
https://readingmiddlegrade.com/the-tryout-christina-soontornvat-review/
https://readingmiddlegrade.com/the-tryout-christina-soontornvat-review/
For me, middle school was rough; high school wasn’t much better. In The Tryout, Christina Soontornvat shares a snapshot of her youth and it is a picture that so many will and can identify with.
Starting middle school is traumatic. It is a huge change from elementary school and finding a place to fit is difficult. Like so many of us do, Christina looked at the cheerleading squad with a sense of longing: they seem to fit, they are so popular. So, she shares her journey in trying out for her middle school cheer squad—and trying to fit in at her middle school. As if adjusting to middle school is not enough stress, racism (no, Thailand is not Taiwan!) and bullying provided additional trauma for Christina.
I think every youth will find a bit of themselves in Christina’s story. I thank her for her creativity and Joanna Cacao for her spectacular artwork—and them both for sharing bits of themselves so that kids know they are not alone and things will get better.
Starting middle school is traumatic. It is a huge change from elementary school and finding a place to fit is difficult. Like so many of us do, Christina looked at the cheerleading squad with a sense of longing: they seem to fit, they are so popular. So, she shares her journey in trying out for her middle school cheer squad—and trying to fit in at her middle school. As if adjusting to middle school is not enough stress, racism (no, Thailand is not Taiwan!) and bullying provided additional trauma for Christina.
I think every youth will find a bit of themselves in Christina’s story. I thank her for her creativity and Joanna Cacao for her spectacular artwork—and them both for sharing bits of themselves so that kids know they are not alone and things will get better.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I really loved this graphic memoir. This author's books have always had a soft spot in my heart and this one is icing on the cake. I loved the theme of overcoming failure, growing up, growing distant from your friends and all of that being okay.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
I loved this!!! Graphic memoirs are the best, and I already loved Christina Soontornvat so I was all in and not disappointed!