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Go Girl! #2
The Worst Gymnast
DREAM BIG! Gemma loves gymnastics. But she's just had the worst class EVER, and her coach isn't happy. Is Gemma's life as a gymnast over? Or will her clever plan keep her on the team?
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
17 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Thalia Kalkipsakis
33 books62 followersThalia grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Melbourne with a mum who tried to save battery hens by on-selling them as backyard chickens. Her dad worked as an industrial chemist while also growing strawberries, carrots and Christmas trees on the farm. It was not unusual to find plant shoots in the freezer, or the hair dryer missing because it was needed to heat one of her dad’s experiments. Thalia's childhood showed her the magic that can happen when science and nature combine with human creativity.
In 2012, Thalia released her first standalone young adult novel, Silhouette, which follows a talented and determined young dancer as she navigates her way into the adult world of commercial dance.
These days, Thalia lives in regional Victoria with her husband, their two children and two black cats.
In 2012, Thalia released her first standalone young adult novel, Silhouette, which follows a talented and determined young dancer as she navigates her way into the adult world of commercial dance.
These days, Thalia lives in regional Victoria with her husband, their two children and two black cats.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 17, 2016
The book The Worst Gymnasts is fabulous. I am a gymnasts so this book caught my eye as soon as I saw it on the shelf. This book has a good storyline to it. The girl accidentally kicks her coach in the face when doing a front handspring on the vault but then her coach doesn't want to kick her out of the team so he makes her do extra strength. Which she hates. She gets sick of all the extra strength and wants to quit but then she doesn't because gymnastics is her passion and the state trials are coming up. Though she doesn't realise that the extra strength is helping her. When it comes to the state trials she is very fit and strong so she pulls out a win.
March 5, 2018
these books got me through my childhood
September 25, 2008
i learnt that you don't have to worry if you're the best or worst at something. Just be yourself!
April 17, 2022
Gemma was in Level Six at gymnastics. They were working hard on their program, Gemma was doing a vault when she accidentally kicked her coach Michael in the head. His nose was bleeding. She was sure she'd be kicked off the team.
She was given strength exercises to do and she had to do them on her own. She hated not being part of the team and the way Michael always yelled at her. The exercises were tough and she ached all over when she'd finished. Was he picking on her because she kicked him? She said she was sorry. What else could she do?
She worked hard on her routine and decided to add an extra step on the beam. She practised and practised but couldn't get it quite right. She was angry at Michael for always yelling at her and she was determined to show him she could be a good gymnast, not the worst gymnast.
When Michael overheard Gemma complaining about always being yelled at, Michael asked her to explain who was yelling at her. When she admitted it was him. Michael stopped for a moment. He realised these were just kids and he told her he was trying to improve them all. He had different strategies for each girl.
Gemma did feel stronger because of the strength exercises. She did work hard to perfect her program. When Level Six entered the big competition, Michael said 'Make me proud.' And they all did. To find out the results you'll have to read the book.
This is another Go Girl series book. Thalia Kalkipsakis has again hit the mark for an early chapter book that will engage girls and help them to believe in themselves. Aki Fukuoka has illustrated this series and each one is delightfully enhanced with her images.
She was given strength exercises to do and she had to do them on her own. She hated not being part of the team and the way Michael always yelled at her. The exercises were tough and she ached all over when she'd finished. Was he picking on her because she kicked him? She said she was sorry. What else could she do?
She worked hard on her routine and decided to add an extra step on the beam. She practised and practised but couldn't get it quite right. She was angry at Michael for always yelling at her and she was determined to show him she could be a good gymnast, not the worst gymnast.
When Michael overheard Gemma complaining about always being yelled at, Michael asked her to explain who was yelling at her. When she admitted it was him. Michael stopped for a moment. He realised these were just kids and he told her he was trying to improve them all. He had different strategies for each girl.
Gemma did feel stronger because of the strength exercises. She did work hard to perfect her program. When Level Six entered the big competition, Michael said 'Make me proud.' And they all did. To find out the results you'll have to read the book.
This is another Go Girl series book. Thalia Kalkipsakis has again hit the mark for an early chapter book that will engage girls and help them to believe in themselves. Aki Fukuoka has illustrated this series and each one is delightfully enhanced with her images.
October 24, 2019
I remember doing gym when I was little and it was so much like this. I was never good enough to do finals though.
February 19, 2020
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2020
Nice 👍🏼
Read
January 20, 2022It was a cute and fun book to read with my Daughter
November 19, 2022
in my rereading my childhood bookshelf era
Badly want to post a picture of my childhood bookshelf here
Badly want to post a picture of my childhood bookshelf here
January 13, 2026
#2 - trying to calm the pre work scaries with the next in the series tonight! Not as good as the Sleepover but still a classic that warms my little heart
February 14, 2017
Gemma accidentally kicks her coach in the face and gives him a blood nose. The coach, who is the gruff, grumpy yelling kind, starts to single out Gemma for different treatment. Is he bullying her or are there other reasons behind his behaviour? And how should Gemma handle it?
My 4yo absolutely adores this short chapter book. She picked the Go Girl box set out at the bookstore, and in particular she wanted this story because she has just started gymnastics. Similarly to the other books in the set, the main character is a girl in later primary school. She spends her time doing physically active things and wrestling with her feelings and relationships. My daughter is fascinated by the social dilemmas explored in this book (and the other books in the set). She has had myself and other people read her this book about 4 or 5 times and pores over it herself.
As a parent I am really comfortable with the book - it has lots of positive messages, from the value of practicing hard, to standing up for yourself, to seeing things from other people's perspectives.
My 4yo absolutely adores this short chapter book. She picked the Go Girl box set out at the bookstore, and in particular she wanted this story because she has just started gymnastics. Similarly to the other books in the set, the main character is a girl in later primary school. She spends her time doing physically active things and wrestling with her feelings and relationships. My daughter is fascinated by the social dilemmas explored in this book (and the other books in the set). She has had myself and other people read her this book about 4 or 5 times and pores over it herself.
As a parent I am really comfortable with the book - it has lots of positive messages, from the value of practicing hard, to standing up for yourself, to seeing things from other people's perspectives.
June 20, 2012
For a 96 page book filled with gigantic font, this book actually told a good story. It did not go in depth with feelings, which I would have enjoyed, but the plot was a smart idea, and it followed it pretty well. We got to know the main character, Gemma, and a few of her teammates. The hilarious relationship with her coach and the knowledge she had about her sport was done really well. It was a quick and very easy book to read, but I would absolutely recommend this book to any third grade girl who could relate to Gemma.
August 4, 2025
When young aspiring gymnast Gemma finds herself in a pickle after accidentally kicking her coach, she gets angry when he gives her extra work and training, thinking of it as punishment. Gemma starts to feel isolated and like she's missing out. This leads to a series of events leading up to the competition that the team participate in. But when she knocks it out of the park, she realises that her coach was never mad at her, he only did it for her improvement and it really payed off!
April 2, 2014
I've not read any of the Go Girl series before but it was actually quite good! This one appealed to me because of the gymnastics theme and I found it to be a good short story. Although the books in this series is authored by different writers, I will give another a go to see if it is worth purchasing them for the library.
Want to Read
October 11, 2010Go girl books are quite interesting,funny and cool!
February 18, 2011
I thought the most funniest part of this book was when Gemma yells at her coach. I think you should buy one too!
June 4, 2011
Ok in the beginning. Good ending.
Read
August 12, 2011not my favourite good book and fun.
September 6, 2011
brittney
January 4, 2012
the go girl books are ok they are a good book to fill in time. the worst gymnast wasn't my favourite one but it was still ok
January 20, 2015
GREAT!!! I love gymnastics, and it has an amazing story
Read
March 26, 2015It was good but short.
Read
April 26, 2022-Read as a kid, loved it then
July 9, 2009
i liked it but it was not the best book i read
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews