Scan barcode
A review by melirose1998
The Comeback by E.L. Shen
4.5
This middle grade novel revolves around 12-year-old Maxine Chen, a competitive figure skater in Lake Placid, NY, aka one of the best places to train. Maxine is gearing up for competition season while also attempting to survive middle school as a Chinese-American girl in a very white town, and in a relatively white-dominated sport. This book was a quick read and discussed important topics like identity, beauty standards, racism, discipline, and how high-pressure sports can affect a person mentally, and physically. I was especially relieved to see that Maxine's parents were very supportive and understanding, making sure Maxine knew she was the decision-maker. That is not always the case in sports, especially figure skating.
As a former competitive figure skater myself, I found that a lot of what Maxine went through, I also went through. The hours spent living inside of an ice rink for various types of training aimed at improving speed, flexibility, stamina, and consistency were portrayed accurately, at least in my opinion. I was glad though that there were some positive aspects in this story as well, including the enemies-to-friends component, where Maxine was able to make a friend out of her competitor and fellow skater. I think that because I know what the rink-life is like, I was able to follow the story quite easily. The technicalities having to do with judge's scoring and names of elements were very familiar to me, and I am glad they were accurate. Someone without as much knowledge might get a little lost, though the author does an excellent job of explaining some of the more confusing terms or systems in play.
I think what was most fun about this reading experience was that as the movements on the ice were described, I could picture myself doing them, and I knew exactly how those movements would feel. I am glad that I read this one, and wish this book existed when I was trying to survive middle and/ or high school.
4.5 Stars.
As a former competitive figure skater myself, I found that a lot of what Maxine went through, I also went through. The hours spent living inside of an ice rink for various types of training aimed at improving speed, flexibility, stamina, and consistency were portrayed accurately, at least in my opinion. I was glad though that there were some positive aspects in this story as well, including the enemies-to-friends component, where Maxine was able to make a friend out of her competitor and fellow skater. I think that because I know what the rink-life is like, I was able to follow the story quite easily. The technicalities having to do with judge's scoring and names of elements were very familiar to me, and I am glad they were accurate. Someone without as much knowledge might get a little lost, though the author does an excellent job of explaining some of the more confusing terms or systems in play.
I think what was most fun about this reading experience was that as the movements on the ice were described, I could picture myself doing them, and I knew exactly how those movements would feel. I am glad that I read this one, and wish this book existed when I was trying to survive middle and/ or high school.
4.5 Stars.