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The Cheerleader
Fourteen-year-old Evan Siegal becomes involved in a series of comic misadventures when he decides that in these days of equal rights the girls' sports teams should have cheerleaders.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
35 people want to read
About the author
Norma Klein
70 books113 followersNorma Klein was born in New York City and graduated cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College with a degree in Russian. She later received her master's degree in Slavic languages from Columbia University.
Ms. Klein began publishing short stories while attending Barnard and since then she had written novels for readers of all ages. The author got her ideas from everyday life and advised would-be writers to do the same -- to write about their experiences or things they really care about.
Ms. Klein died in 1989.
Ms. Klein began publishing short stories while attending Barnard and since then she had written novels for readers of all ages. The author got her ideas from everyday life and advised would-be writers to do the same -- to write about their experiences or things they really care about.
Ms. Klein died in 1989.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 31, 2021
2.5 stars.
Evan and his friend Karim are eighth graders in NYC, 1985. In social studies, their teacher points out that boys' sports have cheerleaders, but no one cheers the girls' teams. The girl cheerleaders don't want to cheer for the girls, so Evan and Karim volunteer.
As an adult, it's a little uncomfortable to read about thirteen-year-olds talking about things/people being "sexy," though I'm sure I did too, at that age. (And I know that plenty of eighth graders are having sex.) What floored me in this book is that Evan describes the time "last year" (seventh graders!) that he and his girlfriend Laurie wrote down everything they don't want to do and everything they'd be willing to try. And it helped him understand limits. I can't imagine seventh graders actually doing this, but what a lovely, mature idea. Way to go, Ms. Klein!
Typos spotted: there were about a dozen in this one! And it's only 116 pages.
Evan and his friend Karim are eighth graders in NYC, 1985. In social studies, their teacher points out that boys' sports have cheerleaders, but no one cheers the girls' teams. The girl cheerleaders don't want to cheer for the girls, so Evan and Karim volunteer.
As an adult, it's a little uncomfortable to read about thirteen-year-olds talking about things/people being "sexy," though I'm sure I did too, at that age. (And I know that plenty of eighth graders are having sex.) What floored me in this book is that Evan describes the time "last year" (seventh graders!) that he and his girlfriend Laurie wrote down everything they don't want to do and everything they'd be willing to try. And it helped him understand limits. I can't imagine seventh graders actually doing this, but what a lovely, mature idea. Way to go, Ms. Klein!
Typos spotted: there were about a dozen in this one! And it's only 116 pages.
September 5, 2015
What I remember from reading this book when I was young: 2 fourteen year old guys become male cheerleaders and cheer for girls' sports. They wear outfits that they make, which include leather pants and vests. They play a drum. They are wildly popular. One of the guy's girlfriend at one point takes her top off.
What I failed to remember: the narrator is a popular kid in New York, whose favorite group is the Go-Go's, and who decides to become a male cheerleader after a class discussion about how it's unfair that no one wants to cheer for girls' sports teams. His best friend is less popular than he is, but goes along with him. They do wear leather pants when they cheer, and are mobbed by young girls who idolize them.
What I failed to remember: the narrator is a popular kid in New York, whose favorite group is the Go-Go's, and who decides to become a male cheerleader after a class discussion about how it's unfair that no one wants to cheer for girls' sports teams. His best friend is less popular than he is, but goes along with him. They do wear leather pants when they cheer, and are mobbed by young girls who idolize them.
August 31, 2009
Cute role-reversal plot.
August 21, 2023
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews