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Bea Mullins Takes a Shot
A League of Their Own meets The Mighty Ducks in this fierce and heartfelt queer MG contemporary novel about learning to face your fears even when your goals are on thin ice.
Some goals are worth falling for.
After a lifetime of humiliating sports experiences, Bea Mullins knows the best way to survive middle school is to stick to the sidelines. When PE is suddenly canceled, though, Bea is forced to join an after-school activity...which is how she ends up as a member of the Glenwood Geese, her middle school's first all-girls hockey team.
Bea would be happy sitting on the bench, but she doesn't want to let down her best friend, Celia. Plus, the more time Bea spends on the rinks, the more she comes to enjoy her teammates, especially the incredibly talented--and incredibly cool--co-captain Gabi. But when low funding puts the Geese in danger of never playing again, Bea realizes she may lose everything she didn't know she wanted.
A hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade contemporary about first crushes and fierce friendships from debut author Emily Deibert.
Some goals are worth falling for.
After a lifetime of humiliating sports experiences, Bea Mullins knows the best way to survive middle school is to stick to the sidelines. When PE is suddenly canceled, though, Bea is forced to join an after-school activity...which is how she ends up as a member of the Glenwood Geese, her middle school's first all-girls hockey team.
Bea would be happy sitting on the bench, but she doesn't want to let down her best friend, Celia. Plus, the more time Bea spends on the rinks, the more she comes to enjoy her teammates, especially the incredibly talented--and incredibly cool--co-captain Gabi. But when low funding puts the Geese in danger of never playing again, Bea realizes she may lose everything she didn't know she wanted.
A hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade contemporary about first crushes and fierce friendships from debut author Emily Deibert.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2025
19 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
Emily Deibert
1 book18 followersEmily Deibert spent most of her life in Toronto, Canada, but now lives in La Serena, Chile where she writes children’s books by day and works as an astronomer by night. BEA MULLINS TAKES A SHOT is her debut novel. In her spare time, Emily likes to play ice hockey—but like her novel’s protagonist, she’s not very good at it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
November 6, 2024
3 stars - a middle grade book about a Canadian tween questioning her identity through the lens of a hockey team. Another one I read to finish a challenge. I felt it was rather slow and longer than it needed to be, so if a retired reader feels that way, what will hold the attention of the target demographic, given both their ages and short attention spans due to the internet? Anyway, I did like the points made about women’s sports & misogyny, in general, and appreciated the author’s note about the current and changing state of women’s hockey.
February 25, 2025
This is so stinkin' cute and it makes me sad that I haven't been reading more middlegrade lately. I love middlegrades that you can even take life lessons from as an adult, and this was definitely one of those. Bea is such a relatable character, and I loved seeing her growth throughout the book. If you love reading about sports, definitely don't count out middlegrade! I really enjoyed this debut and am hoping for more from the author - I'll definitely pick it up.
April 11, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone should be reading more middle grade is all I'm saying. This was a book about confronting anxiety and the fear of failing and putting yourself out there for the sake of your friends. It was also about hockey.
I'll add also normally I'm not a fan of a heavy reliance on social media and modern technology in novels in general but especially middle grade. HOWEVER, I do think, in this case, it really suited the theme and overall message. It's hard being a human in the world knowing that we exist in a time of 0 sense and 0 privacy, the idea of being a tween in a world with smart phones constantly recording? Horrifying.
In short: cute read, okay balance of plot vs the gentle romance B plot, hockey was understandable to someone who has never seen a single game before.
Everyone should be reading more middle grade is all I'm saying. This was a book about confronting anxiety and the fear of failing and putting yourself out there for the sake of your friends. It was also about hockey.
I'll add also normally I'm not a fan of a heavy reliance on social media and modern technology in novels in general but especially middle grade. HOWEVER, I do think, in this case, it really suited the theme and overall message. It's hard being a human in the world knowing that we exist in a time of 0 sense and 0 privacy, the idea of being a tween in a world with smart phones constantly recording? Horrifying.
In short: cute read, okay balance of plot vs the gentle romance B plot, hockey was understandable to someone who has never seen a single game before.
September 21, 2024
this is so so wonderful
Listen, if you tempt me with a queer hockey book, I'm gonna read it. But this? THIS I relished in. It was marketed a A League of Their Own meets The Mighty Ducks and that SUCH a perfect comp.
Part of me think Deibert is two seventh graders in a trench coat, because how was this so accurate to my middle school experience?
Middle school is full of so many awkward situations- new crushes, navigating a parent's divorce, sibling relationships, a first fight with a best friend, trying something new on a very visible stage - it's no wonder Bea's feelings are all over the place! The story tackles each one with heart and such thought, and you really can't help but root for Bea and her gaggle of Geese teammates.
Found family is one of my all time favorite tropes, and what better found family is there than a hockey team? Watching the girls all work together and get better was one of the most rewarding parts of the story and they just! Tried so hard!
Also, I can't tell you how much I loved reading about a girl's hockey league where they talked about women hockey players! I read Sarah Nurse and Natalie Spooner's names in this book and it had me looking like that Leonardo DiCaprio meme where he's point at the tv. You know the one. Also any book that mentions my queen Tessa Virtue is a win in my book.
A sincere, charming debut that I know is going to hit home with so many young kids. I cannot recommend this enough!
Listen, if you tempt me with a queer hockey book, I'm gonna read it. But this? THIS I relished in. It was marketed a A League of Their Own meets The Mighty Ducks and that SUCH a perfect comp.
Part of me think Deibert is two seventh graders in a trench coat, because how was this so accurate to my middle school experience?
Middle school is full of so many awkward situations- new crushes, navigating a parent's divorce, sibling relationships, a first fight with a best friend, trying something new on a very visible stage - it's no wonder Bea's feelings are all over the place! The story tackles each one with heart and such thought, and you really can't help but root for Bea and her gaggle of Geese teammates.
Found family is one of my all time favorite tropes, and what better found family is there than a hockey team? Watching the girls all work together and get better was one of the most rewarding parts of the story and they just! Tried so hard!
Also, I can't tell you how much I loved reading about a girl's hockey league where they talked about women hockey players! I read Sarah Nurse and Natalie Spooner's names in this book and it had me looking like that Leonardo DiCaprio meme where he's point at the tv. You know the one. Also any book that mentions my queen Tessa Virtue is a win in my book.
A sincere, charming debut that I know is going to hit home with so many young kids. I cannot recommend this enough!
April 3, 2025
This was absolutely delightful, I had the cheesiest grin on my face the entire time I was reading.
Bea Mullins Takes a Shot has everything I love: sapphics, sports, friendships, and personal growth. Bea is a skittish middle schooler whose best friend forces her to join their school’s new ice hockey team with her. Bea grew up watching hockey with her dad and brother, but she soon learns that watching and playing are two very different things. As she slowly learns how to play this new sport, and dies from embarrassment over her inexperience, she begins to develop a crush on one of her teammates.
Bea is constantly plagued with thoughts that she isn’t good enough, that she’s a burden, and that she’s being mocked by those around her. Most of the plot’s conflict arose from this insecurity and fear, so seeing Bea slowly gain confidence in herself was very satisfying. I love when character growth is woven in with athletic improvement. It was really refreshing to see how large of an impact hockey had on Bea. Her love for the sport, and the joy and confidence it instilled in her, brought to life my own experiences with playing sports growing up. Finding a sense of belonging on a team and the strong bonds that form from such camaraderie.
I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to read more queer middle grade because it was something I didn’t have access to as a kid. There is something so pure and sweet about witnessing queer kids experience first love like their straight peers. Gabi and Bea’s relationship was so adorable and was largely what put such a wide smile on my face while reading. I really loved their connection and how hockey brought them closer. Cecilia was another great character and her sharp contrast to Bea made their friendship so real.
I thought this was a wonderful story that holds so much heart and joy. I loved the championing of women’s sports. I think this book will have such a positive impact on young readers and hopefully inspire many to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.
Bea Mullins Takes a Shot has everything I love: sapphics, sports, friendships, and personal growth. Bea is a skittish middle schooler whose best friend forces her to join their school’s new ice hockey team with her. Bea grew up watching hockey with her dad and brother, but she soon learns that watching and playing are two very different things. As she slowly learns how to play this new sport, and dies from embarrassment over her inexperience, she begins to develop a crush on one of her teammates.
Bea is constantly plagued with thoughts that she isn’t good enough, that she’s a burden, and that she’s being mocked by those around her. Most of the plot’s conflict arose from this insecurity and fear, so seeing Bea slowly gain confidence in herself was very satisfying. I love when character growth is woven in with athletic improvement. It was really refreshing to see how large of an impact hockey had on Bea. Her love for the sport, and the joy and confidence it instilled in her, brought to life my own experiences with playing sports growing up. Finding a sense of belonging on a team and the strong bonds that form from such camaraderie.
I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to read more queer middle grade because it was something I didn’t have access to as a kid. There is something so pure and sweet about witnessing queer kids experience first love like their straight peers. Gabi and Bea’s relationship was so adorable and was largely what put such a wide smile on my face while reading. I really loved their connection and how hockey brought them closer. Cecilia was another great character and her sharp contrast to Bea made their friendship so real.
I thought this was a wonderful story that holds so much heart and joy. I loved the championing of women’s sports. I think this book will have such a positive impact on young readers and hopefully inspire many to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.
July 25, 2024
This charming debut middle grade novel has everything young readers could ask for: friendships, school angst, first crush, sibling dynamics, and finding ways to take action. In this case, it's finding a way to save a hockey team the protagonist, Bea has come to love--even though she joined it grudgingly.
I loved the humor, the hockey references, and the genuinely sweet discoveries Bea makes throughout the novel. In times that feel rather dark, this novel is a bright light. Bea improves as a hockey player, but realistically. Her growth feels organic and natural. She develops a crush on fellow player, Gabi and but isn't sure if the feelings are reciprocated--one of the most relatable situations possible to middle grade readers! She loves her older brother, but has to deal with his teasing and annoying behavior towards her, which is also a very relatable experience.
This book ends on a bright and hopeful note. I enjoyed watching Bea's growth over the course of the book and I think young readers will find her story relatable. There are plenty of lessons here about friendship, finding a love for playing a sport and not just winning, and handling bullying behaviors by fellow students. But the book never feels as if it's trying to teach lessons. Bea Mullins Takes a Shot will make a great addition to upper elementary and middle school classrooms.
I received a digital ARC from NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the humor, the hockey references, and the genuinely sweet discoveries Bea makes throughout the novel. In times that feel rather dark, this novel is a bright light. Bea improves as a hockey player, but realistically. Her growth feels organic and natural. She develops a crush on fellow player, Gabi and but isn't sure if the feelings are reciprocated--one of the most relatable situations possible to middle grade readers! She loves her older brother, but has to deal with his teasing and annoying behavior towards her, which is also a very relatable experience.
This book ends on a bright and hopeful note. I enjoyed watching Bea's growth over the course of the book and I think young readers will find her story relatable. There are plenty of lessons here about friendship, finding a love for playing a sport and not just winning, and handling bullying behaviors by fellow students. But the book never feels as if it's trying to teach lessons. Bea Mullins Takes a Shot will make a great addition to upper elementary and middle school classrooms.
I received a digital ARC from NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2025
I loveee sweet first crush stories and I love sports romances so I’m obsessed with this book!
I adored Bea. And while I don’t personally relate, I understood her fears and insecurities. I know the anxiety of not wanting to let your team down and how much it sucks to lose big in a game. I also know how scary it is to come out, even to people you know will be supportive.
But this blossoming friendship with Gabi was everything. It’s the kind of sweet romance that has you smiling and kicking your feet while reading. I loved the way all the storylines wrapped up. And ugh Bea and Gabi are simply the cutest! I want them to have all the happiness in the world!
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a sweet first crush sports romance!
Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for a copy of this eARC.
I adored Bea. And while I don’t personally relate, I understood her fears and insecurities. I know the anxiety of not wanting to let your team down and how much it sucks to lose big in a game. I also know how scary it is to come out, even to people you know will be supportive.
But this blossoming friendship with Gabi was everything. It’s the kind of sweet romance that has you smiling and kicking your feet while reading. I loved the way all the storylines wrapped up. And ugh Bea and Gabi are simply the cutest! I want them to have all the happiness in the world!
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a sweet first crush sports romance!
Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for a copy of this eARC.
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February 8, 2025I loved this queer hockey book SO VERY MUCH 🥹.
And I don't even like hockey!! 🤣 That's how you know it's good. Truly my favorite middle grade I've read so far this year.
Give this one to the kids in your life who love sports books, the ones who root for stories about underdogs, the kids who get the warm fuzzies over stories about misfit players coming together as a Team™️.
And most of all? Give this one to the queer girls searching for happy endings & unwavering support 🌈.
BEA MULLINS TAKES A SHOT comes out February 25, so start requesting those library purchases now! You don't want to miss this one 🏒.
And I don't even like hockey!! 🤣 That's how you know it's good. Truly my favorite middle grade I've read so far this year.
Give this one to the kids in your life who love sports books, the ones who root for stories about underdogs, the kids who get the warm fuzzies over stories about misfit players coming together as a Team™️.
And most of all? Give this one to the queer girls searching for happy endings & unwavering support 🌈.
BEA MULLINS TAKES A SHOT comes out February 25, so start requesting those library purchases now! You don't want to miss this one 🏒.
June 11, 2025
I loved this middle school story about a 7th grader, her struggling girls’ hockey team, and her crush on a teammate. This is a strong addition to any middle grade sports collection.
Source: Sora ebook via WSDLC
Source: Sora ebook via WSDLC
February 27, 2025
This was a moving middle grade debut by a Canadian author that features an awkward, young queer girl who gets placed on an underdog hockey team finds a community and group of friends she wasn't expecting.
Good on audio and perfect for fans of The Mighty Ducks movies or books like On thin ice or Crushing it by Erin Becker. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Good on audio and perfect for fans of The Mighty Ducks movies or books like On thin ice or Crushing it by Erin Becker. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
June 10, 2025
Queer hockey romance for middle grade! Extremely up my alley. I certainly enjoyed this one, but I think kids looking for romance will be disappointed by just how much hockey there is, and Bea's obsessive crush on Gabi will annoy kids who pick it up for the sport.
May 13, 2025
Bea Mullins is not into team sports. Not since the disastrous events at basketball camp. But when gym class is canceled and all middle schoolers must join a team sport to pass phys ed, she finds herself convinced to try hockey, partly because of her best friend Celia's urging, and partly to get to know the magnetic girl behind the table. But Bea is determined that this time, she won't embarrass herself, even if that means never taking a shot.
Honestly, this is a clever book with charming characters and a heartwarming story. I particularly appreciate the way the girls are able to reframe their failures and find strength instead of depression when they don't win. The queer plot line is also thoughtfully done, and while it relies somewhat on a miscommunication trope, middle schoolers aren't exactly known for being great at understanding and expressing their feelings, so it feels authentic. I'm not super into sports plots, but if I had a favorite sports novel, this one would be a contender.
Honestly, this is a clever book with charming characters and a heartwarming story. I particularly appreciate the way the girls are able to reframe their failures and find strength instead of depression when they don't win. The queer plot line is also thoughtfully done, and while it relies somewhat on a miscommunication trope, middle schoolers aren't exactly known for being great at understanding and expressing their feelings, so it feels authentic. I'm not super into sports plots, but if I had a favorite sports novel, this one would be a contender.
February 15, 2025
I was lucky enough to get approved by NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
Bea Mullins had a terrible experience when she joined the basketball team, something I can totally relate to! I was also tall for my age, just like Bea, and everyone expected me to be a natural. Bea had no plans to join another team sport—ever. But when the gym is rendered unusable for PE and Bea is forced to join the all girls hockey team, she has to face her fears of bullying and not living up to anyone’s expectations—even her own. I totally relate to her trepidation!
Emily Deibert captures the challenges and triumphs of navigating first crushes, best friendships, new friendships, and failure. She also shines a light on the unfairness in boys vs girls sports (thank youuuu!) Bea's journey is both relatable and inspiring, making this book a must-read for young readers seeking stories of courage and self-discovery.
Bea Mullins had a terrible experience when she joined the basketball team, something I can totally relate to! I was also tall for my age, just like Bea, and everyone expected me to be a natural. Bea had no plans to join another team sport—ever. But when the gym is rendered unusable for PE and Bea is forced to join the all girls hockey team, she has to face her fears of bullying and not living up to anyone’s expectations—even her own. I totally relate to her trepidation!
Emily Deibert captures the challenges and triumphs of navigating first crushes, best friendships, new friendships, and failure. She also shines a light on the unfairness in boys vs girls sports (thank youuuu!) Bea's journey is both relatable and inspiring, making this book a must-read for young readers seeking stories of courage and self-discovery.
February 27, 2025
Emily Deibert's debut book is all about finding confidence in yourself and on a team! This book is great for both sports enthusiast and those unfamiliar with sports. I am from the latter group, but this book and the discussion of sports didn't feel unapproachable or overwhelming. Instead, I felt very connected with the characters and, like Bea, found myself excited about hockey and team sports in general. I also loved that Emily Deibert spent time discussing women's hockey - both the history and the future. The characters themselves were well written and felt very real. I loved Bea's relationship with Celia and Gaby and her learning to navigate friendships and crushes
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for a copy of this book!
I really enjoyed it. I really love women, women in sports, queer people, and a supportive group of people. This book has all of those in abundance. I recommend this to everyone who is having a hard time and is in need of a pick me up and sense of belonging. We all need something that brightens our spirit and gives us hope. (and jealousy of what could be)
I really enjoyed it. I really love women, women in sports, queer people, and a supportive group of people. This book has all of those in abundance. I recommend this to everyone who is having a hard time and is in need of a pick me up and sense of belonging. We all need something that brightens our spirit and gives us hope. (and jealousy of what could be)
July 20, 2025
I absolutely adored this! It’s a fun, heartfelt story that shines a much needed spotlight on girls’ hockey and the fight for equal rights in sports. I loved how it tackled big themes like friendship, finding your voice, persistence, and standing up for what’s right, all while keeping things relatable and funny. The growing romance between Bea and Gabi was so sweet and added a lovely layer to Bea’s journey. This book is a perfect mix of empowerment, humor, and heart, definitely recommend! ❤️🥹
August 29, 2025
It's a really great book! It is in my top 3 middle grade novels I have read this year. It is comparable to Erin Becker's "Crushing It" in that the social aspect is extremely well written and will give you all the feels, but where this book tops that one is with the accuracy of the sports portions of the story. If the author had never played hockey, I would never believe it.
Overall, it is a great book that I will be ordering for my school library.
Overall, it is a great book that I will be ordering for my school library.
June 11, 2025
Bea Mullins Takes a Shot by Emily Deibert is a heartfelt middle grade novel that brings much-needed representation to girls’ hockey and queer identity. Aimed at younger readers, it captures the awkwardness and growth of middle school with warmth and honesty.
Bea is a relatable 12 year old who ends up on her school’s first all-girls hockey team. What starts as a reluctant participation turns into a journey of confidence, friendship, and first crushes. The hockey scenes feel authentic, and the story highlights real challenges like underfunded girls’ sports and the struggle to find your place.
The budding interest between Bea and her teammate Gabi is sweet and sensitively handled, offering positive queer representation for younger readers, which is so so nice to see.
A great pick for young readers who love sports stories with heart, humor, and inclusivity🥺💜
Bea is a relatable 12 year old who ends up on her school’s first all-girls hockey team. What starts as a reluctant participation turns into a journey of confidence, friendship, and first crushes. The hockey scenes feel authentic, and the story highlights real challenges like underfunded girls’ sports and the struggle to find your place.
The budding interest between Bea and her teammate Gabi is sweet and sensitively handled, offering positive queer representation for younger readers, which is so so nice to see.
A great pick for young readers who love sports stories with heart, humor, and inclusivity🥺💜
March 30, 2025
I love queer middle grade books because of the representation. I love that there could be a baby queer who reads this and sees themself in it. It's one of the reasons why I read this because I know that a younger me would have really benefitted from reading these inclusive stories.
BEA MULLINS TAKES A SHOT had really great representation, but I am mixed on the other aspects of this book.
I spent the book wishing there was better communication, especially because this is a MGLit book and I'd like for kids to think it's okay to talk things out with friends. I didn't like how the MC just kept lying and/or avoiding things because she didn't want to deal with the fallout. It's realistic in the way that I know at that age, emotions are high and everything feels like the end of the world. But I like that characters are sometimes unrealistically reasonable and brave enough to talk things out, just so they can be a source of support for younger readers.
Weirdly, this felt like a YA instead of MGLit BECAUSE of the drama and avoidance. I'd even say this fits best in that awkward space between YA and MGLit--especially with the importance placed on romance.
I really enjoyed the sports aspect--we need more girls in hockey! I like that we got to see a character who had to fight for her ability to play well and wasn't just handed the skill easily.
But yeah, main complaint was the communication. I did, however, love how accepting this world was for the MC.
Happy reading!
BEA MULLINS TAKES A SHOT had really great representation, but I am mixed on the other aspects of this book.
I spent the book wishing there was better communication, especially because this is a MGLit book and I'd like for kids to think it's okay to talk things out with friends. I didn't like how the MC just kept lying and/or avoiding things because she didn't want to deal with the fallout. It's realistic in the way that I know at that age, emotions are high and everything feels like the end of the world. But I like that characters are sometimes unrealistically reasonable and brave enough to talk things out, just so they can be a source of support for younger readers.
Weirdly, this felt like a YA instead of MGLit BECAUSE of the drama and avoidance. I'd even say this fits best in that awkward space between YA and MGLit--especially with the importance placed on romance.
I really enjoyed the sports aspect--we need more girls in hockey! I like that we got to see a character who had to fight for her ability to play well and wasn't just handed the skill easily.
But yeah, main complaint was the communication. I did, however, love how accepting this world was for the MC.
Happy reading!
April 29, 2025
RTC
This book is everything to me!!!
This book is everything to me!!!
May 24, 2025
I wuv hockey. this book was cute and fine, though the last 20% I ended up skimming because I felt I had gotten what I was aiming for out of it. ")
September 9, 2025
Icebreaker HAS NOTHING on this book.
February 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was so cute! Even though it was a middle grade book I think any age would enjoy this!
It was written so well. It was a very quick read. I enjoyed every second of it.
Bea was such a fun main character to follow. She was funny and real. There were so many laugh out loud moments for me, whether it was her inner thoughts or the banter between her and her friends.
I liked that this book focused on friendships just as much as her relationship with Gabi. Even Bea’s relationship with her brother and her parents were touched on and I thought it was very well done.
There was a fairly large cast of characters, but I thought enough of them were fleshed out that they each felt like their own person. It could have easily just focused on Bea and Gabi and let everyone else not have a personality, but that wasn’t the case.
I thought her and Gabi were adorable. Their relationship was so natural, they started off as friends and it turned into something more. It was very innocent and sweet which is perfect for middle grade to read.
I really liked the team atmosphere and the message of never giving up and not letting fear or embarrassment stop you from doing something you want.
Some of the issues Bea had could have been avoided or she made a big deal of it for no reason, but she is young so obviously I don’t hold it against her. I thought for being in middle school her problems made sense and hopefully she can learn from them as she gets older.
I absolutely think everyone should pick this book up! I finished it in a day, that is how much I enjoyed it.
This was so cute! Even though it was a middle grade book I think any age would enjoy this!
It was written so well. It was a very quick read. I enjoyed every second of it.
Bea was such a fun main character to follow. She was funny and real. There were so many laugh out loud moments for me, whether it was her inner thoughts or the banter between her and her friends.
I liked that this book focused on friendships just as much as her relationship with Gabi. Even Bea’s relationship with her brother and her parents were touched on and I thought it was very well done.
There was a fairly large cast of characters, but I thought enough of them were fleshed out that they each felt like their own person. It could have easily just focused on Bea and Gabi and let everyone else not have a personality, but that wasn’t the case.
I thought her and Gabi were adorable. Their relationship was so natural, they started off as friends and it turned into something more. It was very innocent and sweet which is perfect for middle grade to read.
I really liked the team atmosphere and the message of never giving up and not letting fear or embarrassment stop you from doing something you want.
Some of the issues Bea had could have been avoided or she made a big deal of it for no reason, but she is young so obviously I don’t hold it against her. I thought for being in middle school her problems made sense and hopefully she can learn from them as she gets older.
I absolutely think everyone should pick this book up! I finished it in a day, that is how much I enjoyed it.
November 1, 2024
Bea Mullins Takes a Shot is an inspiring middle grade debut. Bea is roped into joining her middle school's inaugural girl's hockey team despite her history of being bullied on another team. At first she is reluctant and afraid of being seen, but over time she realizes what the team really means to her and has to fight for the team to survive. Bea has to make amends with her best friend Celia and her crush Gabi before everyone can come together on the ice. The messaging here is great and I hope inspires young readers everywhere to also take their shot even if they're scared.
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2024
5 out of 5 stars
Rep: Sapphic MC, sapphic Colombian immigrant love interest, Chinese side character with two moms, various BIPOC side characters
Content warnings: Separation (past), panic attack, bullying, misogyny in women’s sports, mention of racism, mention of a past parental death
This is genuinely one of the best books I've read all year! I'm shocked that this is Emily Deibert's debut -- it reads like a seasoned author wrote it. She captures exactly how it feels to be a middle schooler, from feeling like everyone's eyes are constantly on you to the awkwardness of realizing you have a crush to not knowing how to talk about what you're feeling. Despite the characters all acting realistic for their ages, they don't come across as stereotypical. On the flip side, sometimes authors try to show they're Down With The Kids to painful degrees (think nonstop pop culture references or cringey jokes), but Deibert's humor feels completely natural and had me chuckling at times. Bea and Gabi had such a sweet little romance, too! It makes me so happy to see more middle grade novels portraying and discussing healthy crushes.
This book also discusses the misogyny surrounding women's sports in ways that young readers will likely understand. The pay gap, unequal air time, and lack of funding are heavy topics, but Deibert tackles them with ease. Yes they're addressed, but in more matter-of-fact ways (as opposed to preachy or overly intellectual), and with plenty of hope for the future. I've never been much of a sports person myself, but "Bea Mullins" has me seeking out women's leagues in my area that I could watch. If you ask me, that means Deibert accomplished her mission. I'm so very excited for what she writes next!
**HUGE thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
Rep: Sapphic MC, sapphic Colombian immigrant love interest, Chinese side character with two moms, various BIPOC side characters
Content warnings: Separation (past), panic attack, bullying, misogyny in women’s sports, mention of racism, mention of a past parental death
This is genuinely one of the best books I've read all year! I'm shocked that this is Emily Deibert's debut -- it reads like a seasoned author wrote it. She captures exactly how it feels to be a middle schooler, from feeling like everyone's eyes are constantly on you to the awkwardness of realizing you have a crush to not knowing how to talk about what you're feeling. Despite the characters all acting realistic for their ages, they don't come across as stereotypical. On the flip side, sometimes authors try to show they're Down With The Kids to painful degrees (think nonstop pop culture references or cringey jokes), but Deibert's humor feels completely natural and had me chuckling at times. Bea and Gabi had such a sweet little romance, too! It makes me so happy to see more middle grade novels portraying and discussing healthy crushes.
This book also discusses the misogyny surrounding women's sports in ways that young readers will likely understand. The pay gap, unequal air time, and lack of funding are heavy topics, but Deibert tackles them with ease. Yes they're addressed, but in more matter-of-fact ways (as opposed to preachy or overly intellectual), and with plenty of hope for the future. I've never been much of a sports person myself, but "Bea Mullins" has me seeking out women's leagues in my area that I could watch. If you ask me, that means Deibert accomplished her mission. I'm so very excited for what she writes next!
**HUGE thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
January 21, 2024
I wouldn’t change a thing about this book, it’s so sweet and heartwarming.
September 29, 2024
E ARC provided by Netgalley
When Glenwood Middle School's gym is flooded, Bea thinks it's the best thing ever... until Coach Armstrong suggests that parents get their kids involved in sports to make up for the lack of gym time. There's an activities fair in the gym, and Bea's best friend, Celia Chan, wants to play hockey. Bea's older brother Tyler has played the sport, and it doesn't hurt that one of the cocaptains of the team, Gabi, is really cool. Bea wants to impress her, since she's in 8th grade, and is surprised when the older girl offers to coach her, since Bea hasn't skated much. Kitted out with Tyler's equipment, and hoping to make her father happy, since he no longer lives at home, Bea tries to pay close attention at practice. The team is really short of money, so put together several fund raisers, including a bake sale and a chuck-a-puck competition. When the Glenwood Geese run out of money and have to cancel the season, Bea's dad takes her and Tyler to the Hockey Hall of Fame, where they are all surprised at how little attention women's hockey gets. Angry, Bea really wants to save her team, and organizes a fund raising scrimmage with the teachers at her school. Her relationship with Gabi has been a little rocky; they enjoy spending time together, but neither of them talk about whether or not they are dating. Bea even falls out with Celia (who has two mothers) when she is not ready to admit that she really does have a crush on Gabi. Luckily, not only is the scrimmage a success, with a reporter and a famous woman hockey player showing up, but Gabi and Bea finally talk with each other, an decide that they really do like each other.
Strengths: There were lots of details about playing hockey, which was great. Since Gabi had watched games with her father, but never played, there was just the right amount of information about positions, technique, and skills. I also enjoyed that while Bea and Tyler got along pretty well, there were some moments of typical sibling tension. The romance will appeal to young readers, and it was good to see that Bea and Gabi were friends and shared many of the same interests. Even though this is set in Canada, I don't think US readers will find anything odd. Funding problems exist everywhere!
Weaknesses: If Bea's mother had Tyler when she was 20, and he's 15, that makes her 35. This is roughly my own daughter's age, and I can't think of any of her friends who are big Abba fans. I was a tiny bit surprised that a bake sale was allowed at school; even before the pandemic, my school cracked down on homemade baked goods in the building.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the hockey in Eyre's Mean Girl Meltdown or Being Sloan Jacobs, or the light romance in Dee's Star-Crossed.
When Glenwood Middle School's gym is flooded, Bea thinks it's the best thing ever... until Coach Armstrong suggests that parents get their kids involved in sports to make up for the lack of gym time. There's an activities fair in the gym, and Bea's best friend, Celia Chan, wants to play hockey. Bea's older brother Tyler has played the sport, and it doesn't hurt that one of the cocaptains of the team, Gabi, is really cool. Bea wants to impress her, since she's in 8th grade, and is surprised when the older girl offers to coach her, since Bea hasn't skated much. Kitted out with Tyler's equipment, and hoping to make her father happy, since he no longer lives at home, Bea tries to pay close attention at practice. The team is really short of money, so put together several fund raisers, including a bake sale and a chuck-a-puck competition. When the Glenwood Geese run out of money and have to cancel the season, Bea's dad takes her and Tyler to the Hockey Hall of Fame, where they are all surprised at how little attention women's hockey gets. Angry, Bea really wants to save her team, and organizes a fund raising scrimmage with the teachers at her school. Her relationship with Gabi has been a little rocky; they enjoy spending time together, but neither of them talk about whether or not they are dating. Bea even falls out with Celia (who has two mothers) when she is not ready to admit that she really does have a crush on Gabi. Luckily, not only is the scrimmage a success, with a reporter and a famous woman hockey player showing up, but Gabi and Bea finally talk with each other, an decide that they really do like each other.
Strengths: There were lots of details about playing hockey, which was great. Since Gabi had watched games with her father, but never played, there was just the right amount of information about positions, technique, and skills. I also enjoyed that while Bea and Tyler got along pretty well, there were some moments of typical sibling tension. The romance will appeal to young readers, and it was good to see that Bea and Gabi were friends and shared many of the same interests. Even though this is set in Canada, I don't think US readers will find anything odd. Funding problems exist everywhere!
Weaknesses: If Bea's mother had Tyler when she was 20, and he's 15, that makes her 35. This is roughly my own daughter's age, and I can't think of any of her friends who are big Abba fans. I was a tiny bit surprised that a bake sale was allowed at school; even before the pandemic, my school cracked down on homemade baked goods in the building.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the hockey in Eyre's Mean Girl Meltdown or Being Sloan Jacobs, or the light romance in Dee's Star-Crossed.
March 19, 2025
When the Glenwood Middle School gym floods, the teachers encourage the entire student body to sign up for an after school team. Decidedly unathletic, Bea tags after her BFF Celia Chan, a figure skating/track running/swimmer, who decides they’ll both join the girls’ hockey team. Although unsure initially, Bea finds her interest piqued when she meets the very cute Gabi Martinez, the Glenwood Gooses’ talented center who’s soon tutoring the novice in skating and stickwork. With the girls’ program underfunded and most of the new recruits pretty shaky on the basics, the first half of the book follows the Geese as they bond as a team and raise money. As Bea spends more time with Gabi, her crush blossoms but she’s not quite ready to confide in Celia, which leads to distance between the two friends. Given the tween audience, Bea’s happy ending felt assured, but she still faces genuine struggles as she comes out of her shell and becomes an athlete and a better friend. Deibert does a great job of working several engaging strands into her story; we learn a bit about women’s professional hockey in Canada, its history, and the inequities its players have faced. For sports fans, there’s lots of hockey equipment, action, and coaching tips. Finally, the growing relationship between Gabi and Bea resolved perfectly – a bit of handholding and a simple kiss felt appropriate and sweet, with no outsized drama. I also appreciated that Bea never agonized over whether she was queer, how to tell her parents, or faced bullying. Her discomfort doesn't have anything to do with her orientation; instead, it's simply feeling unsure about this new, big feeling. Bea is described as white, other characters have their ethnicity cued through surnames and food references. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
February 26, 2025
Being the most unathletic person I know, I never thought I’d love a book with so much hockey in it, but there is truly so much to love in Bea Mullins Takes a Shot by Emily Deibert.
Bea, an anxious 7th grader, believes she could be happy playing it safe and never taking chances—especially if that means avoiding the mortifying humiliation of failing herself and the people she cares about. But when she’s thrust into a hockey team with her best friend and an unexpected first crush, Bea must learn to take a chance on herself.
Bea, Celia, and Gabi are relatable characters that middle-grade readers are certain to connect with. Bea’s anxieties and insecurities in her family relationships, friendships, and crushes, as well as her fears about being perceived on social media, feel so real and relevant for this age group. All three characters are not only fleshed out, rounded, and unique in their own right, but their relationships feel sincere and wholesome, thanks to the author’s skillful middle-grade voice and earnest exploration of the emotional experience of a 7th grader.
Something else I particularly loved about this book was the *lack* of importance placed on scores and winning. Sure, it’s been said in all the books that “it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about how you play the game” or “what matters is that you have fun” and everything else one says when handing out participation trophies, but I’m not sure I’ve come across a book that has done a better job of *showing* (not telling) this in a way that is natural and not at all lesson-y or cheesy.
And yet . . . having said all that, it still must be said (I can’t help myself) that this book is an absolute winner!
Bea, an anxious 7th grader, believes she could be happy playing it safe and never taking chances—especially if that means avoiding the mortifying humiliation of failing herself and the people she cares about. But when she’s thrust into a hockey team with her best friend and an unexpected first crush, Bea must learn to take a chance on herself.
Bea, Celia, and Gabi are relatable characters that middle-grade readers are certain to connect with. Bea’s anxieties and insecurities in her family relationships, friendships, and crushes, as well as her fears about being perceived on social media, feel so real and relevant for this age group. All three characters are not only fleshed out, rounded, and unique in their own right, but their relationships feel sincere and wholesome, thanks to the author’s skillful middle-grade voice and earnest exploration of the emotional experience of a 7th grader.
Something else I particularly loved about this book was the *lack* of importance placed on scores and winning. Sure, it’s been said in all the books that “it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about how you play the game” or “what matters is that you have fun” and everything else one says when handing out participation trophies, but I’m not sure I’ve come across a book that has done a better job of *showing* (not telling) this in a way that is natural and not at all lesson-y or cheesy.
And yet . . . having said all that, it still must be said (I can’t help myself) that this book is an absolute winner!
February 28, 2025
Seventh grader Bea Mullins, the protagonist in this middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!], may remind many readers of themselves. Even though she's tall and might seem suited for basketball, she failed miserably at that particular sport as well as others. When flooding in the Toronto middle school gym necessitates some sort of extracurricular physical activity, she reluctantly joins the inaugural girls' hockey team with some urging from her best friend Celia. Although she likes watching hockey on television with her father, she's never played. Still, she tightens up her skates, borrows her brother's equipment, and heads to the rink, planning to stay out of the limelight--and action--as much as possible. But several embarrassing videos of her mistakes make her even more uncomfortable with playing. Still, there's something about practice, skating, and working as part of a team that excites here. Plus, there are sparks between Bea and Gabi, an Olympic hopeful. Is Bea ready to take risks, both on and off the rink? The budding romance is at the heart of the story, of course, but there is also a relevant plot concerning how hard the team has to work in order to pay for rink time and how inequitable pay is between men and women professional hockey players. The story held my attention all the way through, and I rooted for Bea to start to feel comfortable in her own skin and not worry so much about what others thought of her.
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