Balancing Act

The Go-for-Gold Gymnasts #2

by Dominique Moceanu, Alicia Thompson

Twelve-year-old Noelle Onesti has gymnastics in her blood. Not only does she have natural ability, talent and drive, but back in Romania, her mother was also an Elite gymnast. So if there's one girl destined to come home with a gold medal at the Junior National Championships, it's Noelle.

But Noelle’s a worrier, and she knows it won’t be easy for her family to put up the money to send her to the competition. She tries to focus on her training, but when a boy asks her to the school dance, her mind is a whirlwind of dresses, crushes, and family responsibilities. Noelle knows that if she wants to achieve her Olympic dreams, she can’t let anything get in the way. Her teammates—graceful Christina, quiet Jessie, and lively Britt—can’t wait for the trip to Junior Nationals in Philadelphia, and Noelle doesn’t want to let them down.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2012

About the author

Dominique Helena Moceanu is an American author and retired American gymnast. She was a member of the gold-medal-winning United States women's gymnastics team (the "Magnificent Seven") at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Sydney Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I can relate. Gymnastics is a busy sport and most of the time no free time for anything, but it is okay to get out of the gym for a while. I know my coaches know that I am a hard worker so missing a practice won't hurt. I understand what it is like for Noelle but sometimes you just have to take a break and have fun out of the gym!

[Hanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the four Go-for-Gold books because I could relate to this girls success and obstacles. These books are great for younger girls, especially, if the have an interest in gymnastics.

[Reagan Muchow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read. Thoroughly enjoyed this as a gymnast. Can’t wait to read parts for motivation during season!!

Only reason it’s 4/5 is because it is a bit juvenile and cringey at times. But other than that great read!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Kaitlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an exciting and adventurous story. The main characters were Brittany, Christina, and Noelle. It is part of a series, but is the first book in it. I will continue to read the series. The writing was heartwarming and interesting. I don't think it needed anymore detail because it was very descriptive. It had a lot of action and excitement to it. If you are a gymnast then you would be really interested to read it because that is all it is about..

[Ashleys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes I would like to be Domonique Moceanu because she is an inspiring gymnasts who could really help you see that it does take a lot of hard work to get to the olympics. She did struggle a lot throughout this book, like that her parents were very very poor, but they did everything they could to get Domoneque to follow her dreams. She also struggled with her friendships and with not being able to afford some of the competitions.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle is graceful, powerful, she is ranked high above all the rest. But she is worried that her parents won't be able to afford her trip to nationals. Noelle decides not to give her parents important information about competitions in fear that they can't afford it. Will she get up the courage to ask her parents or will she pass up the opportunity to get her gold medal?

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was really relatable for me. This graceful, excellent gymnast is so caring about her family's financial problem, she delayed the time she told her family about going to have to pay for another competition. Also, her brother is going through a bad phase, and he is getting into mischief. I thought the book was well written.

[Lmarks4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle is the highest ranked gymnast in her club, Twistars and is ready to go to nationals. Her parents may not be able to afford the trip so Noelle decides not to tell them important information about competitions. Will she be brave enough to ask her parents for this once in a lifetime opportunity? Balancing Act is about courage, trust, and determination.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think these will be popular over the summer in anticipation of the Olympics. As far as I know, there's not another gymnastics series out now, and I'm happy to have an excuse to weed the few remaining (but always circ-ing) Gold Medal Gymnast books.

[Brandy Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only slight disappointment was that junior nationals was built up so much through the book, and then it was covered in only a few pages. Otherwise loved it! Great expression of team work and character building!

[Torey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't as good as the first book, but it was good. I like how the narrators changed, except that part was a little confusing.

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

worst book ever, it had kidding and dumb stuff like that that 12 year olds shouldn't be thinking about.

my mom made me put that but its true.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the gymnastics aspect of this book but it went very slowly despite the fact that it is rather short.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was fun and I like that each book is from each girl's perspective.

[Adilynn Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love gymnastics books because they have details that I do in my practice. I rate it 5 stars for its action and gymnastics.