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Roll with It
Neddy’s life is structured, following a plan laid out by her father and the footsteps of her mother. When he leaves the country and Neddy embarks on her first year of college, she decides it’s time she calls the shots. Rejecting the sacrifices necessary to succeed as a figure skater—early mornings, a diet of apples and celery, and the pressure to perform—Neddy dives into the rough and tumble world of roller derby instead, and embraces the feisty camaraderie of its community. Neddy’s new-found agency in life means she is free to consider her guilt over not following her mother’s path, to navigate a new love, and to discover who she is and what it is that she truly wants.
- GenresYoung AdultCanada
152 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
About the author
Heather J. Wood
3 books23 followersCanadian author Heather J Wood was born and raised in Montreal and now makes her home in Toronto. She is the author of the coming of age novel, Fortune Cookie, and Roll With It, a teen-oriented novel about roller derby. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthologies In the Dark: Stories from the Supernatural, I.V. Lounge Nights, and The Lion and the Aardvark: Aesop's Modern Fables. She is the editor of the international fiction anthology Gods, Memes and Monsters: A 21St Century Bestiary, for which she was nominated for a 2016 World Fantasy Award in the Special Professional category.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 9, 2018
If you liked “Whip It,” definitely pick up Wood’s novel! My favorite parts of this charming story: a likeable narrator and a broad cast of strong female characters. Overall, it’s a quick and fun read. Parts of the plot were predictable, and the style didn’t surprise me much - but if you’re looking for an feel-good buildings-roman in the YA neighborhood, would recommend.
April 2, 2012
Roll With It is a decent Canadian young adult novel that is quick and easy to read but lacks a lot in terms of developed story telling.
The ideas are there, the plot is there, the potential for interesting characters is there. The only three things we're missing is compelling writing, good dialogue, and a proper editor.
Neddy is a figure skating girl who has just discovered the world of roller derby. Throughout the book we are introduced to the different technical elements of both sports, from derby terminology to a semi-behind the scenes look at figure skating. I found this aspect of the story to be interesting, the author does a good job at giving enough knowledge to set the scene without sounding instructional.
Neddy is a pretty good main character. Her internal dialog gives her a pleasing voice but also never really gave me anything serious to bite into.
The other characters peppered throughout the plot were somewhat of a hit or miss, their personalities were interesting and unique but the lack of good dialog limited their impact.
Plot wise the concept is interesting but fell flat with the complete and utter lack of conflict. There was no real conflict that wasn't solved within the follow page. There was some internal strife but Neddy's struggle never felt very gripping and was not enough to carry the entire story. There needed to be an arc to the plot, a build up to something satisfactory, otherwise it just felt very one note.
What bothered me the most after I had finished was that there are some really good ideas in this book and part of me wonders why it feels like this was never looked at by an editor. This needed some solid direction and improvement to the flow. Both of which I attribute to a proper editor.
But with all of that said, If you're a fan of those made for TV figure skating movies, or are looking for something by a Canadian author for a middle grade audience* then this may very well be a book worth checking out for you. Otherwise, it was an adequate read for something light and quick, but nothing to write home about.
*There is a brief mention of sex but nothing down and dirty.
The ideas are there, the plot is there, the potential for interesting characters is there. The only three things we're missing is compelling writing, good dialogue, and a proper editor.
Neddy is a figure skating girl who has just discovered the world of roller derby. Throughout the book we are introduced to the different technical elements of both sports, from derby terminology to a semi-behind the scenes look at figure skating. I found this aspect of the story to be interesting, the author does a good job at giving enough knowledge to set the scene without sounding instructional.
Neddy is a pretty good main character. Her internal dialog gives her a pleasing voice but also never really gave me anything serious to bite into.
The other characters peppered throughout the plot were somewhat of a hit or miss, their personalities were interesting and unique but the lack of good dialog limited their impact.
Plot wise the concept is interesting but fell flat with the complete and utter lack of conflict. There was no real conflict that wasn't solved within the follow page. There was some internal strife but Neddy's struggle never felt very gripping and was not enough to carry the entire story. There needed to be an arc to the plot, a build up to something satisfactory, otherwise it just felt very one note.
What bothered me the most after I had finished was that there are some really good ideas in this book and part of me wonders why it feels like this was never looked at by an editor. This needed some solid direction and improvement to the flow. Both of which I attribute to a proper editor.
But with all of that said, If you're a fan of those made for TV figure skating movies, or are looking for something by a Canadian author for a middle grade audience* then this may very well be a book worth checking out for you. Otherwise, it was an adequate read for something light and quick, but nothing to write home about.
*There is a brief mention of sex but nothing down and dirty.
July 18, 2011
Neddy has a dream of being an Olympic figure skater. Unfortunately, it's her mother's dream. When her mother died, she promised to make it happen, but that was years ago. On her own for the first time at university, Neddy realizes that she wants something more, even if it's just sleeping in and not obsessing over the scale. Maybe a real boyfriend, like that nice guy in her dorm. When she discovers roller derby, she finds the confidence to change her life, and the friends to back her up.
Neddy's a normal girl, and that's not something you see a lot of today in YA fiction. She's got problems, but on a realistic scale. She battles with her weight, but it's only important in terms of her skating. Really, the girl just wants to have a cupcake and not have to think about it.
It's a story that everyone can relate to - growing up and making your own choices. Learning that it's okay to want something different than what your parents want for you. Realizing that they've got choices, too, and being an adult means accepting them as they are, not what you want them to be. Finding your own dreams, and the strength to make them come true.
This is a great book with a true voice. Neddy's growing sense of empowerment comes across clearly. She has real-life decisions to make, and she chooses like a real girl would. It imparts a lesson we all need to learn: that no one else has the power to make you happy, and there's nothing wrong with doing it for yourself.
Four paws up!
Neddy's a normal girl, and that's not something you see a lot of today in YA fiction. She's got problems, but on a realistic scale. She battles with her weight, but it's only important in terms of her skating. Really, the girl just wants to have a cupcake and not have to think about it.
It's a story that everyone can relate to - growing up and making your own choices. Learning that it's okay to want something different than what your parents want for you. Realizing that they've got choices, too, and being an adult means accepting them as they are, not what you want them to be. Finding your own dreams, and the strength to make them come true.
This is a great book with a true voice. Neddy's growing sense of empowerment comes across clearly. She has real-life decisions to make, and she chooses like a real girl would. It imparts a lesson we all need to learn: that no one else has the power to make you happy, and there's nothing wrong with doing it for yourself.
Four paws up!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews