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A review by kbranfield
The Happiest Girl in the World: A Novel by Alena Dillon
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.