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Roller Girl
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2015)TWELVE-YEAR-OLD ASTRID HAS ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING WITH HER BEST FRIEND NICOLE. SO WHEN ASTRID SIGNS UP FOR ROLLER DERBY CAMP, SHE ASSUMES NICOLE WILL TOO. BUT NICOLE SIGNS UP FOR DANCE CAMP WITH A NEW FRIEND INSTEAD, AND SO BEGINS THE TOUGHEST SUMMER OF ASTRID'S LIFE.
--front flap
--front flap
215 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,984 reviews
March 24, 2015
Last year, my favorite middle-grade book was Sisters. I think Roller Girl will be this year's favorite because it. is. AMAZING.
Summary: Astrid Vasquez, dubbed Ass-turd by her nemesis, Rachel, has been best friends with Nicole forever. Astrid is the kid who does her own thing, is a little wild and very active, is the tomboy who poses a threat to kids with less confidence. But she doesn't know any of that, she just knows that it's always been her and Nicole against the world. During one of Ms. Vasquez' Evenings of Cultural Enlightenment, the girls attend a roller derby match and afterward, Astrid's life changes in so many ways. She wants to join derby, she and Nicole are going to have so much fun at Jr. derby camp, it's going to be amazing except that Nicole doesn't want to go. She plans to go to ballet camp, instead...with Rachel.
So the stage is set for the shift so many girls - and maybe boys, though I don't know how this particular piece of boy's life works - experience in their transition from elementary school to junior high/middle school: Losing the best friend while moving out of childhood and into teenagehood, trying to find out who they want to be.
It's such a hard time.
Astrid is great because she's real. She's a bit of a brat but she's also tough. She knows how to do the right thing, sometimes she follows through and sometimes she doesn't. It's hard to grow up and her character illustrates this point so well.
The thing I liked best, though, is this isn't a Becomes The Hero story. She doesn't become a champion Jr. derby skater. SPOILER ALERT: She doesn't win the end match, though she does take one for the team. She works really hard, she trains hard, she tries hard and she's just regular. Not amazing. Middle of the line. She also has fun.
That is AWESOME! It is wonderful to see that just because you want it, just because you work your butt off for it, just because you think you deserve it...that doesn't mean you'll get it. You'll get a lot of other stuff along the way, though - Astrid does reap rewards - and hopefully you'll learn to appreciate the journey more than the goal.
I might need to get this for my newly-13-year-old niece.
Summary: Astrid Vasquez, dubbed Ass-turd by her nemesis, Rachel, has been best friends with Nicole forever. Astrid is the kid who does her own thing, is a little wild and very active, is the tomboy who poses a threat to kids with less confidence. But she doesn't know any of that, she just knows that it's always been her and Nicole against the world. During one of Ms. Vasquez' Evenings of Cultural Enlightenment, the girls attend a roller derby match and afterward, Astrid's life changes in so many ways. She wants to join derby, she and Nicole are going to have so much fun at Jr. derby camp, it's going to be amazing except that Nicole doesn't want to go. She plans to go to ballet camp, instead...with Rachel.
So the stage is set for the shift so many girls - and maybe boys, though I don't know how this particular piece of boy's life works - experience in their transition from elementary school to junior high/middle school: Losing the best friend while moving out of childhood and into teenagehood, trying to find out who they want to be.
It's such a hard time.
Astrid is great because she's real. She's a bit of a brat but she's also tough. She knows how to do the right thing, sometimes she follows through and sometimes she doesn't. It's hard to grow up and her character illustrates this point so well.
The thing I liked best, though, is this isn't a Becomes The Hero story. She doesn't become a champion Jr. derby skater. SPOILER ALERT: She doesn't win the end match, though she does take one for the team. She works really hard, she trains hard, she tries hard and she's just regular. Not amazing. Middle of the line. She also has fun.
That is AWESOME! It is wonderful to see that just because you want it, just because you work your butt off for it, just because you think you deserve it...that doesn't mean you'll get it. You'll get a lot of other stuff along the way, though - Astrid does reap rewards - and hopefully you'll learn to appreciate the journey more than the goal.
I might need to get this for my newly-13-year-old niece.
August 1, 2018
Roller Derby, Girl-Power, and Friendship
I was pumped to read this middle-grade graphic novel all about recognizing female empowerment within the roller derby community, especially after having read and loved Pamela Ribon's SLAM! Vol. 1, which is a YA comic bundle set around the same premise.
Twelve-year-old Astrid has always done everything with her best friend Nicole. So when Astrid signs up for roller derby camp, she assumes Nicole will too. But Nicole signs up for dance camp with a new friend instead, and so begins the toughest summer of Astrid's life. There are bumps and bruises as Astrid learns who she is without Nicole...and what it takes to be a strong, tough roller girl.
Roller Girl tackles a lot of important issues within the story arc, such as the giddy start of a new blossoming friendship, growing apart from childhood friends, standing up for yourself and those in need, the power of positive role models, and channeling your inner TOUGHER, STRONGER, FEARLESS-self.
Plus, I know I really enjoyed a middle-grade book when I can't wait to share it with my little sister. She adored Raina Telgemeier's work in the past and has been on the search for anything and everything similar, so she'll be pleased to know that Roller Girl reads like the perfect follow-up book.
I do have to note that, personally, the story hit a bit of rut when it focused too heavily on supplying all the technical terms in roller derby, but thankfully it more than made up for that with its following character-defining moments.
So without further ado, here are some of my personal favorite bits from Roller Girl :
That resilient moment of overcoming adversity is an ever-shining star.
I was all smiles reading the many descriptions and was even pleasantly surprised to see my name, Natalie, included... until I read her silly defining characteristic.
Another comical moment happens in the following hair coloring scene:
This brought to mind how Louis C.K. has a whole standup bit just around kids names.
"3-4 weeks" got me good.
Gentle parenting and patience is key.
Unrelated: I find it funny that this is the second book I've read that featured both my name as well as my sister's (Rachel).
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May 22, 2020
This book was recommended to me by a fellow bookstagrammer. I gave it to my 8 years old and he loved it so much that he read it 3 times! It's no wonder because I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting from 10:30pm to 2:30am! The story was on roller derby and I knew nothing about it so it was fascinating to learn. Astrid's skating skills was terrible and every time she fell, it reminded me of how I fell when I first learned to skate. I loved the message this book was teaching young readers: "If you want something badly enough, you just have to work harder than everyone else to get it." This story also taught readers to let the spotlight shine on someone else and it was absolutely a lesson my son needed.
This book followed Astrid, 12, as she and her best friend Nicole went to see Roller Derby with Astrid's mom. Astrid became obsessed with being a Roller Girl. The next day, she and Nicole went skating, except, Astrid didn't know how to skate. That wasn't the bad news because Nicole had other plans for her summer camp and it's not Roller Derby. Astrid was left on her own to do something she's not good at.
Roller Girl was so much fun to read! The humor was contagious and I couldn't help but to laugh out loud. I like the friendship portion of this book as well. I loved the mother daughter relationship. I liked how Astrid's mom took her some places like the museum and as much as Astrid hated those places, she also armed with knowledge when she needed it. Astrid's true feelings on shopping and dresses was funny. I loved the illustrations. A definitely must read book, I highly recommended this story to everyone!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
I borrowed this book from the library and my opinions are honest.
This book followed Astrid, 12, as she and her best friend Nicole went to see Roller Derby with Astrid's mom. Astrid became obsessed with being a Roller Girl. The next day, she and Nicole went skating, except, Astrid didn't know how to skate. That wasn't the bad news because Nicole had other plans for her summer camp and it's not Roller Derby. Astrid was left on her own to do something she's not good at.
Roller Girl was so much fun to read! The humor was contagious and I couldn't help but to laugh out loud. I like the friendship portion of this book as well. I loved the mother daughter relationship. I liked how Astrid's mom took her some places like the museum and as much as Astrid hated those places, she also armed with knowledge when she needed it. Astrid's true feelings on shopping and dresses was funny. I loved the illustrations. A definitely must read book, I highly recommended this story to everyone!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
I borrowed this book from the library and my opinions are honest.
August 22, 2018
Roller-rific. This was amazing. I want to go to a real Roller Derby event. i think it would be fun. I enjoyed the movie that came out a few years ago.
This is a story about Astrid at age 12 learning to be a tough and cool Roller Girl. She joins a summer camp to learn to skate, bump, fall, and jam. She has to be tough and she gains and loses friends in the process. Going into junior high is not for the faint of heart. Astrid's world is being turned upside down. Luckily, her mother is amazing and I love her. She is so supportive. I also like her friend who is into musical theatre. That's my kind of people.
I would love a sequel to this book. I want more. It was a great story and great for kids and it was nominated for a Newberry as a graphic novel. That doesn't happen often. I would read this again. Roll on Roller Girl.
This is a story about Astrid at age 12 learning to be a tough and cool Roller Girl. She joins a summer camp to learn to skate, bump, fall, and jam. She has to be tough and she gains and loses friends in the process. Going into junior high is not for the faint of heart. Astrid's world is being turned upside down. Luckily, her mother is amazing and I love her. She is so supportive. I also like her friend who is into musical theatre. That's my kind of people.
I would love a sequel to this book. I want more. It was a great story and great for kids and it was nominated for a Newberry as a graphic novel. That doesn't happen often. I would read this again. Roll on Roller Girl.
December 31, 2018
Even if I scratch my head particularly hard, I'd still be hard-pressed to find a topic of less interest to me than women's roller derby.
I mean. . . yeah, I lived in roller skates as a girl, but I skated while I was also applying a new layer of lip gloss or while I was daydreaming that Erik Estrada would pull me over for speeding.
My ideal in roller skating was Olivia Newton-John's depiction of it in the horrible/wonderful Xanadu. Like, you know, a goddess on wheels.
And, ironically, that weird movie is referenced here, as a retro inspiration for these young girls in this 2015 graphic novel that I FREAKING LOVED.
The writer/illustrator is a former book designer and mom who. . . wait for it. . . wait for it. . . skates roller derby in REAL LIFE under the name Winnie the Pow. Wow. I just fell a little in love.
This is a badass, brilliantly illustrated, you've gotta get a copy for your 10-13 year old daughter, granddaughter or niece graphic novel. Trust me. They need this book.
All around. . . Everything great. . . Not a single complaint.
Girl power for REAL.
I mean. . . yeah, I lived in roller skates as a girl, but I skated while I was also applying a new layer of lip gloss or while I was daydreaming that Erik Estrada would pull me over for speeding.
My ideal in roller skating was Olivia Newton-John's depiction of it in the horrible/wonderful Xanadu. Like, you know, a goddess on wheels.
And, ironically, that weird movie is referenced here, as a retro inspiration for these young girls in this 2015 graphic novel that I FREAKING LOVED.
The writer/illustrator is a former book designer and mom who. . . wait for it. . . wait for it. . . skates roller derby in REAL LIFE under the name Winnie the Pow. Wow. I just fell a little in love.
This is a badass, brilliantly illustrated, you've gotta get a copy for your 10-13 year old daughter, granddaughter or niece graphic novel. Trust me. They need this book.
All around. . . Everything great. . . Not a single complaint.
Girl power for REAL.
Read
March 16, 2015This book is super-adorable!
I especially like the girl’s relationship with her mom – my favorite part is when the girl has to admit that she’s been lying and her mom is like, ‘no worries; growing older and making good decisions is hard.’
Excellent parental behavior modeling!
I especially like the girl’s relationship with her mom – my favorite part is when the girl has to admit that she’s been lying and her mom is like, ‘no worries; growing older and making good decisions is hard.’
Excellent parental behavior modeling!
December 10, 2015
Holy crap, I'm so excited that I get to be a kids librarian in a time when the market is nurturing and embracing literature like this.
Jamieson has a soft spot for the everysoul - she doesn't tell stories just about the stars of the world. Here, she uses her background playing roller derby to tell a coming of age story about a tween.
It's (subtly) set in PDX, which is a nice perk.
I really liked that Jamieson introduced derby as one activity in a parade of cultural experiences - one that catches the character's eye in a truly individual way. One of the other activities could have captured her just as easily. The plot also addresses interpersonal relationships, persevering through difficulty, and how to know when to let a friendship go.
Jamieson's work on the craft of this book is exemplary - perfect for readers of Raina Telgemeier and El Deafo and Jimmy Gownley's stuff. The storytelling is very easy to follow, and the full color illustrations rock.
I got to see Victoria Jamieson speak (along with Ben Hatke!) at the Olympia Library a month or so ago. She's very articulate, personable, addresses the questions in your head about her work, and happy to pose with adorable children.
Jamieson has a soft spot for the everysoul - she doesn't tell stories just about the stars of the world. Here, she uses her background playing roller derby to tell a coming of age story about a tween.
It's (subtly) set in PDX, which is a nice perk.
I really liked that Jamieson introduced derby as one activity in a parade of cultural experiences - one that catches the character's eye in a truly individual way. One of the other activities could have captured her just as easily. The plot also addresses interpersonal relationships, persevering through difficulty, and how to know when to let a friendship go.
Jamieson's work on the craft of this book is exemplary - perfect for readers of Raina Telgemeier and El Deafo and Jimmy Gownley's stuff. The storytelling is very easy to follow, and the full color illustrations rock.
I got to see Victoria Jamieson speak (along with Ben Hatke!) at the Olympia Library a month or so ago. She's very articulate, personable, addresses the questions in your head about her work, and happy to pose with adorable children.
September 1, 2017
Here are some of my favorite roller derby player names from this excellent girl-empowerment book that will be enjoyable to young people and adults alike, and that you should all go out and buy for your daughters/granddaughters/nieces etc. and read with them immediately! -
Rainbow Bite
Napoleon Blownapart
Slays Miserables
Braidy Punch
Heidi Go-Seek
Marz Rollver
Draculola
Scream Soda
...and perhaps my favorite: in her bio, the author, a bona fide roller girl herself, divulges her own alias: Winnie the Pow!
Perplexing, exhilarating, colorful, fast and slow, painful and funny: Roller derby is such an apt metaphor for adolescence, and this wonderful graphic novel magnificently and enjoyably illuminates how one might learn to navigate the mysterious worlds of both derby and adolescence. It's the summer before junior high, and Astrid, the daughter of a hardworking, worried single parent, finds herself thrust into an identity crisis when longtime and rather traditional best friend Nicole grows increasingly consumed with ballet, boys, and clothes while the more iconoclastic Astrid is seduced by the feisty whistling whirlwind of the Rose City Rollers - even though she can't even really skate yet. On her own for the first time since elementary school, Astrid tackles derby camp head-on and learns about friendship, identity, teamwork, determination, and how to jam, block, and "fall small" in the face of challenges. Highly recommended to all!
Rainbow Bite
Napoleon Blownapart
Slays Miserables
Braidy Punch
Heidi Go-Seek
Marz Rollver
Draculola
Scream Soda
...and perhaps my favorite: in her bio, the author, a bona fide roller girl herself, divulges her own alias: Winnie the Pow!
Perplexing, exhilarating, colorful, fast and slow, painful and funny: Roller derby is such an apt metaphor for adolescence, and this wonderful graphic novel magnificently and enjoyably illuminates how one might learn to navigate the mysterious worlds of both derby and adolescence. It's the summer before junior high, and Astrid, the daughter of a hardworking, worried single parent, finds herself thrust into an identity crisis when longtime and rather traditional best friend Nicole grows increasingly consumed with ballet, boys, and clothes while the more iconoclastic Astrid is seduced by the feisty whistling whirlwind of the Rose City Rollers - even though she can't even really skate yet. On her own for the first time since elementary school, Astrid tackles derby camp head-on and learns about friendship, identity, teamwork, determination, and how to jam, block, and "fall small" in the face of challenges. Highly recommended to all!
November 10, 2020
Raina Telgemeier territory, which is to say it is a perfect antidote to the sturm und drang and anguish and suffering of Crime and Punishment! :) Happy and positive and colorful.
A girl grows up with a mom taking her and her sister to the opera and ballet to expose her to a certain type of cultural experiences, which are okay for her, but one day mom takes her to the roller derby and her life is changed! She finds like-minded friends and fun and competition and you know, every kid in my house has read it and liked it maybe 3-4 times. They liked it better than me, of course, so Jamieson doesn't care what I think. But I did like it a lot. Friendship and simple bright colors and fun. And roller derby!!
A girl grows up with a mom taking her and her sister to the opera and ballet to expose her to a certain type of cultural experiences, which are okay for her, but one day mom takes her to the roller derby and her life is changed! She finds like-minded friends and fun and competition and you know, every kid in my house has read it and liked it maybe 3-4 times. They liked it better than me, of course, so Jamieson doesn't care what I think. But I did like it a lot. Friendship and simple bright colors and fun. And roller derby!!
August 23, 2018
I would like to begin with my tl;dr impressions of this book and they go like this:
YES! YES! YES! OH MY GOD! I LOVE IT SO MUCH, I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN CRACKED OPEN AND SOMEONE POURED PURE SUNSHINE INSIDE OF ME! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!
With that out of the way--I've loved roller derby for years. At my first in-person match, I harbored vivid fantasies of donning a helmet and jamming and blocking my heart out that lasted all the way through picking my fantasy roller derby name* until the second match......when I saw the first team limping out in various configurations of ice packs and crutches. This sport is no joke. And so I have stuck to admiring it from the bleachers.
And also, minor detail, I don't skate exactly as much as I gingerly roll/walk while white knuckling parts of the building.
(*Oh-did you WANT to know what my fantasy roller derby name is? VANTHRAX.)
I had thought this would just be a cute, fun read. And it definitely is, but it's more. Our protagonist, Astrid, discovers herself, friendship, what being a true friend means, and the right way to dye your hair blue in roller derby. But she also gets important lessons in how some childhood friendships don't last forever and what to do when your former bff becomes chummy with a venomous hate pixie and starts ghosting you. It was such a glorious, thoughtful, empowering, funny story, I really just want to climb inside of this book and live there. And the last book I said that about was my favorite book of all time, Cannery Row. High praise.
This was written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson, a real-live roller girl who borrowed her real team name and logo as well as the names of some of her teammates. And for her work, she won a 2016 Newbery honor.
I so want to hang out with Astrid and Zoey now. Sure, they are fictional and 12 and I'm almost 50 but cmon! It won't be weird!
ETA: I can’t believe I forgot to mention to see if you can spot the Full Metal Jacket reference.
YES! YES! YES! OH MY GOD! I LOVE IT SO MUCH, I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN CRACKED OPEN AND SOMEONE POURED PURE SUNSHINE INSIDE OF ME! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!
With that out of the way--I've loved roller derby for years. At my first in-person match, I harbored vivid fantasies of donning a helmet and jamming and blocking my heart out that lasted all the way through picking my fantasy roller derby name* until the second match......when I saw the first team limping out in various configurations of ice packs and crutches. This sport is no joke. And so I have stuck to admiring it from the bleachers.
And also, minor detail, I don't skate exactly as much as I gingerly roll/walk while white knuckling parts of the building.
(*Oh-did you WANT to know what my fantasy roller derby name is? VANTHRAX.)
I had thought this would just be a cute, fun read. And it definitely is, but it's more. Our protagonist, Astrid, discovers herself, friendship, what being a true friend means, and the right way to dye your hair blue in roller derby. But she also gets important lessons in how some childhood friendships don't last forever and what to do when your former bff becomes chummy with a venomous hate pixie and starts ghosting you. It was such a glorious, thoughtful, empowering, funny story, I really just want to climb inside of this book and live there. And the last book I said that about was my favorite book of all time, Cannery Row. High praise.
This was written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson, a real-live roller girl who borrowed her real team name and logo as well as the names of some of her teammates. And for her work, she won a 2016 Newbery honor.
I so want to hang out with Astrid and Zoey now. Sure, they are fictional and 12 and I'm almost 50 but cmon! It won't be weird!
ETA: I can’t believe I forgot to mention to see if you can spot the Full Metal Jacket reference.
June 7, 2015
This book came to my attention because of the subject matter (roller derby!), because of the cute cover, and because the blurb compared it to Raina Telgemeier. I love Telgemeier, and I'm happy to report that the comparison was fitting.
I admit that I was kind of expecting the general story arc that you usually find in a kids' sport story. Think Bad News Bears, Sandlot, Mighty Ducks. This is not exactly that story arc. Sure, Astrid is enthusiastic but bad at derby at the start, and she works really really hard. And at the end, she's... better, but still not very good. And that's ok. She's just getting started, after all, and there's a lot of room for her to grow. And she can love something without being fantastic at it right away. The one thing this book makes very clear about derby is that it's hard, there's a lot of work involved, it's very physically demanding, and it's deeply rewarding. There are far worse ways to look at a sport.
But this is not, of course, just about derby. It's about friendship, about growing away from old friends and towards new ones. Astrid's best friend isn't interested in roller derby. She wants to go to ballet camp. And it's part of Astrid's journey in this book to realize that she and Nicole don't need to be attached at the hip. They can be different people. Maybe they won't be friends the way they once were, but that doesn't mean they have to be enemies, either.
I must talk about Astrid's new friend, Zoey, because I love her. She's sweet and friendly and obviously fun to be around, of course. But that isn't all, my friends. This awesome girl is in love with Hugh Jackman. Because of Wolverine? Of course not! She loves him for his work in musicals! She is, in fact, a huge musical fan. And her favorite? Let me put it this way: her derby name is Slay Miserables, and her number is 246 (presumably the 01 would not have fit). Seriously, she's basically me at her age, but more outgoing and athletic. I love her. I want a sequel book starring her as she balances roller derby and theater, with even more musical references.
I absolutely loved this book. I tell you, there's been some seriously amazing middle grade graphic novels released over the last few years, and this one is right up there with fantastic books like El Deafo, Smile, Zita the Spacegirl, and How Mirka Got Her Sword.
I admit that I was kind of expecting the general story arc that you usually find in a kids' sport story. Think Bad News Bears, Sandlot, Mighty Ducks. This is not exactly that story arc. Sure, Astrid is enthusiastic but bad at derby at the start, and she works really really hard. And at the end, she's... better, but still not very good. And that's ok. She's just getting started, after all, and there's a lot of room for her to grow. And she can love something without being fantastic at it right away. The one thing this book makes very clear about derby is that it's hard, there's a lot of work involved, it's very physically demanding, and it's deeply rewarding. There are far worse ways to look at a sport.
But this is not, of course, just about derby. It's about friendship, about growing away from old friends and towards new ones. Astrid's best friend isn't interested in roller derby. She wants to go to ballet camp. And it's part of Astrid's journey in this book to realize that she and Nicole don't need to be attached at the hip. They can be different people. Maybe they won't be friends the way they once were, but that doesn't mean they have to be enemies, either.
I must talk about Astrid's new friend, Zoey, because I love her. She's sweet and friendly and obviously fun to be around, of course. But that isn't all, my friends. This awesome girl is in love with Hugh Jackman. Because of Wolverine? Of course not! She loves him for his work in musicals! She is, in fact, a huge musical fan. And her favorite? Let me put it this way: her derby name is Slay Miserables, and her number is 246 (presumably the 01 would not have fit). Seriously, she's basically me at her age, but more outgoing and athletic. I love her. I want a sequel book starring her as she balances roller derby and theater, with even more musical references.
I absolutely loved this book. I tell you, there's been some seriously amazing middle grade graphic novels released over the last few years, and this one is right up there with fantastic books like El Deafo, Smile, Zita the Spacegirl, and How Mirka Got Her Sword.
September 11, 2016
Oh, I loved Roller Girl. I came across it during a shopping trip at Gosh! Comics with my friend Daphne and one glance at the cover me it was the graphic novel for me! Roller Girl is the heartwarming tale of friendship and roller derby over one summer, beautifully written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson. It perfectly captures what it's like to be growing up when you're not a child, but not quite a teenager.
Astrid is 12-years-old and does everything with her best friend Nicole – until Astrid signs up for roller derby and Nicole starts making new friends at ballet. I wish there were more contemporary graphic novels because it's a wonderful, underrated format for them. Not only do we get a fantastic story, but are able to experience visually the pain, frustration and heartbreak of real life.
I love coming-of-age stories and in Roller Girl, we get everything from realistic confrontations with parents to what it feels like to be the worst at something you so desperately want to conquer. I also learned a lot about roller derby and feel like I got bruises from just reading about it – ouch!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
Astrid is 12-years-old and does everything with her best friend Nicole – until Astrid signs up for roller derby and Nicole starts making new friends at ballet. I wish there were more contemporary graphic novels because it's a wonderful, underrated format for them. Not only do we get a fantastic story, but are able to experience visually the pain, frustration and heartbreak of real life.
I love coming-of-age stories and in Roller Girl, we get everything from realistic confrontations with parents to what it feels like to be the worst at something you so desperately want to conquer. I also learned a lot about roller derby and feel like I got bruises from just reading about it – ouch!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
August 31, 2020
One more skater to get past and... SHE DOES IT!
It's a story about how a girl's life has changed. Astrid was never too social or popular. She had tried rollers, but it was too hard for her. She tried them during camp, she didn't give up and she learned.
The book inspires you never to give up. If you are not good at something but you love it, you should keep trying until you succeed.
Recommended for ages 8 to 13 years old. Another one of my daughter's favourite books.
It's a story about how a girl's life has changed. Astrid was never too social or popular. She had tried rollers, but it was too hard for her. She tried them during camp, she didn't give up and she learned.
The book inspires you never to give up. If you are not good at something but you love it, you should keep trying until you succeed.
Recommended for ages 8 to 13 years old. Another one of my daughter's favourite books.
November 5, 2020
Of course I do realise (and also much respect) that Victoria Jamieson won a 2016 Newbery Honour designation for her middle grade graphic novel Roller Girl and that the general online star rankings for Roller Girl have equally and also been quite high and often with glowing and very much laudatory reviews. But be that as it may, for me personally and even more so for me emotionally, Roller Girl has not at ALL been even remotely a reading joy, and yes indeed, especially Victoria Jamieson's presented text, her featured storyline (and how in particular main character and chief protagonist Astrid has been conceptualised and depicted both verbally and illustratively), they are thematically and content wise just not at all my proverbial cup of reading tea and so much so, to such an extent, that I have after trying really really hard to get into Roller Girl and to get into Astrid's frame of mind decided to quit reading and to consider Roller Girl as yet another piece of writing that I will not be finishing, that I have abandoned.
For aside from the fact that I am not the biggest fan of graphic novels at the best of times and that therefore a given graphic novel really has to truly be something absolutely special and remarkable for me to consider it favourably and with keen reading interest (and which Roller Girl certainly has NOT been as even the entire concept of Astrid becoming interested in roller derbies is just not something I do find and will ever find all that interesting and readable), I also (and definitely) just totally cannot at ALL stand and stomach main protagonist Astrid as a character, as a person, finding her ill mannered, self-centred to the extreme and with a sense of personal entitlement that totally makes me cringe and roll my eyes. Because that Astrid basically assumes that her best friend Nicole will become interested in roller derbies just because she (Astrid) has and drops her pretty much like the standard hot potato when Nicole decides that she would rather take ballet lessons instead, this has ended up making me so angry and so annoyed that I really do not feel like continuing reading, as in my opinion, there is really nothing all that redeeming about Astrid and indeed her full of herself me, me, me attitude has certainly made Roller Girl a graphic novel that I for one cannot in any way be bothered to finish reading (and will thus also only consider with one star).
For aside from the fact that I am not the biggest fan of graphic novels at the best of times and that therefore a given graphic novel really has to truly be something absolutely special and remarkable for me to consider it favourably and with keen reading interest (and which Roller Girl certainly has NOT been as even the entire concept of Astrid becoming interested in roller derbies is just not something I do find and will ever find all that interesting and readable), I also (and definitely) just totally cannot at ALL stand and stomach main protagonist Astrid as a character, as a person, finding her ill mannered, self-centred to the extreme and with a sense of personal entitlement that totally makes me cringe and roll my eyes. Because that Astrid basically assumes that her best friend Nicole will become interested in roller derbies just because she (Astrid) has and drops her pretty much like the standard hot potato when Nicole decides that she would rather take ballet lessons instead, this has ended up making me so angry and so annoyed that I really do not feel like continuing reading, as in my opinion, there is really nothing all that redeeming about Astrid and indeed her full of herself me, me, me attitude has certainly made Roller Girl a graphic novel that I for one cannot in any way be bothered to finish reading (and will thus also only consider with one star).
January 23, 2018
Pop Sugar Reading Challenge 2018
Un libro acerca de o relacionado con un deporte.
Este libro se lo regale en Navidad a mi hija. Y en medio de las festividades nos tomo casi dos semanas leerlo.
Excelente novela Gráfica, una de las mejores que he leído.
La historia esta exquisitamente estructurada, para que cualquiera que la lea se sienta identificado. Llena de mensajes, algunos simples, otros muy muy complejos.
Como madre siempre animo a mi hija y le repito hasta el cansancio que ella puede lograr cualquier cosa que se proponga. Pero llega un punto en el que además de hacer que nuestras niñas crean ese mensaje de empoderamiento, también debemos enseñarles como hacerlo, como es que se cumple un sueño.
Y ese es el mensaje principal de este libro, ver como una niña se esfuerza para cumplir su meta de jugar en el Roller Derby, nos muestran sus caídas y golpes, y al final nos enseña, que quizá lo que creíamos querer no era lo que realmente necesitamos.
Bravo a la autora, por tan hermosa historia, gracias por darnos una protagonista de descendencia latina, por darnos una protagonista que es hija única, hija de una madre soltera.
Los gráficos son de primer nivel, coloridos, y llenos de diversidad.
MIS PRIMERAS 5 ESTRELLAS DEL 2018, y muy bien merecidas.
Un libro acerca de o relacionado con un deporte.
"It takes a real hero to take a hit for the team, and to let the spotlight shine on someone else."
Este libro se lo regale en Navidad a mi hija. Y en medio de las festividades nos tomo casi dos semanas leerlo.
Excelente novela Gráfica, una de las mejores que he leído.
La historia esta exquisitamente estructurada, para que cualquiera que la lea se sienta identificado. Llena de mensajes, algunos simples, otros muy muy complejos.
Como madre siempre animo a mi hija y le repito hasta el cansancio que ella puede lograr cualquier cosa que se proponga. Pero llega un punto en el que además de hacer que nuestras niñas crean ese mensaje de empoderamiento, también debemos enseñarles como hacerlo, como es que se cumple un sueño.
Y ese es el mensaje principal de este libro, ver como una niña se esfuerza para cumplir su meta de jugar en el Roller Derby, nos muestran sus caídas y golpes, y al final nos enseña, que quizá lo que creíamos querer no era lo que realmente necesitamos.
Bravo a la autora, por tan hermosa historia, gracias por darnos una protagonista de descendencia latina, por darnos una protagonista que es hija única, hija de una madre soltera.
Los gráficos son de primer nivel, coloridos, y llenos de diversidad.
MIS PRIMERAS 5 ESTRELLAS DEL 2018, y muy bien merecidas.
"Everything used to be simple black and white. Happy. Sad. Best friends. Worst enemies. Now everything seemed, so... Complex. I was in a No-man's-Land of unchartered territories. Maybe I had to find my own path through it."
April 8, 2024
An inspiring and fun glimpse into the world of Roller Derby through the eyes of a 12 year old girl facing changing social relationships and big life upheavels. I've dabbled a bit with roller derby myself in the past, and could relate to Astrid's struggles getting to grips with skating (I'm also anything but a natural on wheels) and seeing her thrive and make new connections. I've already passed this on too my (soon to be) 11 year old.
March 31, 2015
This graphic novel is perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier's books, as it is very similar in tone and artwork. I really enjoyed the storyline of complicated friendships, which came to a very satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended! I will definitely be giving my niece a copy of this book for her 12th birthday.
March 30, 2015
This is every bit as cute as your friends are probably telling you it is. My husband also read and loved this book, and has decided that that our imaginary future daughter is definitely doing roller derby.
For those interested, I think my derby name would have been "NightMer." Husband says his is "Slaymier."
For those interested, I think my derby name would have been "NightMer." Husband says his is "Slaymier."
October 2, 2024
As a grown-up, I think I also needed to know that you don't fly from zero to full marks overnight.
In that beautiful Graphic novel, "Astrid" was extremely dazzled by Roller Derby-a sport that I just knew about it in this book-when her mother takes her to watch that game. Being inherited her fierce mom's genes, she excitedly decides to start practicing this tough game.
Starting to learn a new skill whatever the kind of that skill is always full of deluded expectations. You think that having a pen in your hand will make you Stephen King, or once you hold the knife you will be Gordon Ramsay. You don't expect that you will scribble a good deal of nonsense before you manage to create a decent paragraph, or you will get to burn and cut your fingers for weeks till you get to bake a mediocre tray of cookies.
Jamison skillfully depicted the stages that "Astrid" went through from the cheer excitement to crashing with the reality of her needing much longer time than she expected to learn how to steady herself while skating in the first place, and way more hardcore training than what she was prepared to.
Astrid's stubborn persistence to be what she wants-the team's jammer-is a great inspiration to everyone who reads the story "including me as an adult" to know that practice makes perfect, or at least near perfect.
Also, the story realistically dealt with how relationships like friendships are formed and broken, and how Astrid was gradually learning how she makes up for her mistakes.
The book was one of the most beautiful graphic novels that I truly enjoyed reading.
In that beautiful Graphic novel, "Astrid" was extremely dazzled by Roller Derby-a sport that I just knew about it in this book-when her mother takes her to watch that game. Being inherited her fierce mom's genes, she excitedly decides to start practicing this tough game.
Starting to learn a new skill whatever the kind of that skill is always full of deluded expectations. You think that having a pen in your hand will make you Stephen King, or once you hold the knife you will be Gordon Ramsay. You don't expect that you will scribble a good deal of nonsense before you manage to create a decent paragraph, or you will get to burn and cut your fingers for weeks till you get to bake a mediocre tray of cookies.
Jamison skillfully depicted the stages that "Astrid" went through from the cheer excitement to crashing with the reality of her needing much longer time than she expected to learn how to steady herself while skating in the first place, and way more hardcore training than what she was prepared to.
Astrid's stubborn persistence to be what she wants-the team's jammer-is a great inspiration to everyone who reads the story "including me as an adult" to know that practice makes perfect, or at least near perfect.
Also, the story realistically dealt with how relationships like friendships are formed and broken, and how Astrid was gradually learning how she makes up for her mistakes.
The book was one of the most beautiful graphic novels that I truly enjoyed reading.
March 8, 2016
This was cute, had great humor throughout, and the art was very clean, crisp and colorful (yay, alliteration!). Also, roller derby. What more could you want? =D
October 1, 2015
Um, just so, so good. Not only is this a super introduction to the world of roller derby (something I knew nothing about but now feel like I could understand), but it's an empowering story of girls navigating middle school friendships and never, ever giving up on their dreams. For the first time, Astrid is spending the summer apart from her best friend Nicole who is so not interested in roller derby and elects to sign up for ballet camp. Not only is Astrid on her own at roller derby camp, she's not really that good at it. But rather than give up, she works harder to become better at the sport she loves, and she learns a lot about herself along the way.
Now, that sounds kind of after-school-special-y but the magic of this book is that it doesn't read that way at all. This is a really engrossing story that's perfect for kids who love SMILE by Raina Telgemeier.
Now, that sounds kind of after-school-special-y but the magic of this book is that it doesn't read that way at all. This is a really engrossing story that's perfect for kids who love SMILE by Raina Telgemeier.
April 17, 2020
This graphic novel deals with the transition from elementary school to middle school and the difficult choices that you have to make at that time. It explores identity creation at that age and how creating your first identity can push you away from former friends. In addition, it's a great introduction to the world of roller derby!
February 18, 2016
This is so cool.
This graphic novel reminds me of the best of the middle-school graphic novels, such as Smile, which are very much about making friends, and keeping friends, and growing up and apart.
Astrid, the main character, goes with her best friend, Nicole, to see a Roller Derby show, and falls in love with it. Astrid hopes that her friend will share her desire to take a Roller Derby summer camp, but Nicole wants to do Ballet Summer Camp.
And so, Astrid gets to learn how hard it is to really skate, make new friends, and be a derby-girl.
Very realistic dialogue, normal reactions to life, and I loved it. This is one of those stories I thought I would just glance at, when I really should be working, and ended up reading it instead of doing my work.
This book is for people who have had to try to learn something hard, for people who have had to make new friends, for people who do something that might not fit into what other people think they should do.
This graphic novel reminds me of the best of the middle-school graphic novels, such as Smile, which are very much about making friends, and keeping friends, and growing up and apart.
Astrid, the main character, goes with her best friend, Nicole, to see a Roller Derby show, and falls in love with it. Astrid hopes that her friend will share her desire to take a Roller Derby summer camp, but Nicole wants to do Ballet Summer Camp.
And so, Astrid gets to learn how hard it is to really skate, make new friends, and be a derby-girl.
Very realistic dialogue, normal reactions to life, and I loved it. This is one of those stories I thought I would just glance at, when I really should be working, and ended up reading it instead of doing my work.
This book is for people who have had to try to learn something hard, for people who have had to make new friends, for people who do something that might not fit into what other people think they should do.
September 14, 2025
a solid MG graphic novel about roller derby, friendships that shift as time passes, trying new things, and forging your own identity.
normally i'm not big on sports fiction (or sports in general), but derby is so damn cool. i loved learning more about the game, and seeing our protagonist, astrid, learn about herself as she learns to skate. the art is fun and colorful, and the story is fast-paced, entertaining, and unexpectedly deep.
all the messy friendships in this story feel so real. i particularly like the arc between astrid and her former best friend, nicole. there's grief and anxiety over the lost friendship, jealousy about nicole's new bestie, and eventual acceptance that things will never be just as they were before. sometimes you just drift apart, and it's painful, but it's part of life. really an excellent and remarkably mature storyline for this age group.
normally i'm not big on sports fiction (or sports in general), but derby is so damn cool. i loved learning more about the game, and seeing our protagonist, astrid, learn about herself as she learns to skate. the art is fun and colorful, and the story is fast-paced, entertaining, and unexpectedly deep.
all the messy friendships in this story feel so real. i particularly like the arc between astrid and her former best friend, nicole. there's grief and anxiety over the lost friendship, jealousy about nicole's new bestie, and eventual acceptance that things will never be just as they were before. sometimes you just drift apart, and it's painful, but it's part of life. really an excellent and remarkably mature storyline for this age group.
February 23, 2017
#girlpower
February 23, 2022
This was so great- can't believe how long it took me to read it.
May 20, 2023
Roller Girl wasn't the first graphic novel to win a Newbery Honor—that was Cece Bell's El Deafo in 2015—but it duplicated the feat only a year later. Victoria Jamieson had illustrated for other authors and done a few picture books of her own, but Roller Girl put her squarely on the map in children's literature. She had become one of the best at appealing to reluctant readers with her spunk and colorful sense of style.
Astrid Vasquez and Nicole have been friends since first grade, when a girl named Rachel convinced Astrid she would die of rabies after touching a dead squirrel. Nicole dispelled Astrid's fear with her calm understanding of medical facts, and ever after the two were best friends. Astrid's mother often takes them out for Evenings of Cultural Enlightenment, local artistic experiences that Astrid and Nicole find less than stimulating, but they're in for a surprise one evening when Ms. Vasquez takes them to a women's roller derby competition. Astrid, now in fifth grade, is mesmerized by the drama and athleticism of the Rose City Rollers, Portland's hometown team that dominates the evening's bout behind the efforts of their star jammer, Rainbow Bite. A thrilling new world opens up for Astrid, but will her mother let her join a roller derby group?
This is the summer that Astrid and Nicole's friendship changes. Astrid desperately wants to sign up for Junior Roller Derby Camp, sponsored by the Rose City Rollers. The "Rosebuds" camp runs for a month this summer, and Astrid fantasizes about someday playing alongside Rainbow Bite on the professional circuit. The trouble is, Nicole doesn't want to go; she plans to spend the summer honing her ballet skills to dance en pointe, physically strenuous as it is. She's becoming friendly with Rachel, who still torments Astrid all these years after the dead squirrel incident. Why does Nicole want to make friends with a mean snob like that? Astrid doubts her mother will let her attend Junior Roller Derby Camp alone, so she pretends Nicole's mother will be driving them home. An hour walk home every day won't be fun, but it's worth it to join the Rosebuds...right?
Derby skating is way harder than Astrid imagined. Most of the girls at camp are bigger, tougher, seasoned skaters, and Astrid can barely stay on her feet. How does Rainbow Bite make it look as easy as walking? Astrid also lacks a clever roller derby nickname, to let opponents know you mean business before you step on the track. At least there's one girl her age at camp, Zoey. She's not a smooth skater either, so Astrid has company as a novice. Camp is a sustained physical ordeal as Astrid falls down again and again, left behind by other campers who are perfecting their skills. Can Astrid ever catch up to them? Bruised and discouraged, she feels like quitting, but the lead instructor—a pro known as Heidi Go Seek—challenges her to resist taking the easy way out. Astrid's long walk home each day under the scorching sun is brutal, but as she gets her feet under her, she's able to skate most of the way. She definitely needs the extra practice.
Though Astrid's confidence as a skater grows at a slow rate, she and Zoey encourage each other. They know Rainbow Bite couldn't have attained the pinnacle of her profession, aggressively checking skaters all over the track, by yielding to adversity. Astrid has a lot to focus on, but it still bothers her knowing that Nicole and Rachel are becoming best friends, united by a mutual love of ballet. Losing Nicole is like losing part of herself; Astrid has treasured their relationship since the day they met after Astrid touched the dead squirrel. It feels as though Rachel has stolen Nicole, and knowing Rachel, she probably did it out of spite. Astrid can't prevent Nicole from drifting away, but she redoubles her commitment to roller derby as camp speeds toward its conclusion and the Rosebuds prepare for their first real bout, live at halftime of a Rose City Rollers event. Early on in camp, Astrid started communicating anonymously with Rainbow Bite by stuffing notes into the pro skater's locker, and she's ecstatic about meeting her hero in person. But will Astrid have a respectable showing at the bout, or slip and fall all over the track and make a fool of herself? Is she even capable of qualifying to compete, or will Heidi Go Seek have her sit this one out until she's a better skater? Zoey is just as nervous as Astrid; Heidi assigned her a key role in the bout, and Zoey doubts she can deliver for her team. Astrid wants to be happy for her new friend, who's helped her develop some semblance of the confident, edgy attitude necessary to thrive at roller derby, but she wanted the role that Heidi gave Zoey. Is Astrid about to lose another friend because she's too self-absorbed to let her own feelings take a temporary backseat? Can she make peace with the divergent paths that she and Nicole are taking, and put her best foot forward to discover who she is without her former friend?
A story with just the right emotional tension, Roller Girl is both playful and thoughtful. Anyone who has embraced a challenging pastime the way Astrid has with roller derby will identify with the lessons she learns from her sport. "Tougher. Stronger. Fearless." That's the mantra drilled into Astrid and the other campers, emphasizing the need for tenacity in a rough sport like roller derby. You can't afford to feel sorry for yourself because a skater knocks you on your butt, and you shouldn't expect success without heavy investment of blood, sweat, and tears. You respond to getting hit hard by putting on your "warface" and issuing a return hit of your own, sending the message you won't be intimidated. A sport like roller derby is a good way to channel frustration; you use negative emotions as fuel to be a better athlete. Violence isn't appropriate in mainstream society, but Astrid is encouraged to lay big hits on people at the roller derby track, and it's a satisfying catharsis. But the most meaningful parts of Roller Girl are the places where we feel Astrid's pain as she recognizes she's losing Nicole. The day Nicole "rescued" her from rabies in first grade still means so much to her, as we plainly see when she reflects on it. "When someone saves your life like that...you can't help but become best friends." Aye, that's true, Astrid. Friendships change as the people in them do, but it's no easier to grow apart from a beloved friend than it is to pass through adolescence, as Astrid will soon. At least she'll have roller derby to reinforce habits of self-discipline and determination. She'll need that to grow into the person she's capable of being.
It's not a high-energy story, but Roller Girl has a lot to like. A roller derby skater herself, Victoria Jamieson understands the life lessons her sport offers. All athletics have them to some degree, but I appreciate the wisdom in these pages distilled from a hard-contact sport like roller derby. I'm not sure I'd have voted Roller Girl a 2016 Newbery Honor, but I see why the ALA committee did so, and I would round my two-and-a-half star rating to three. If you want a fresh take on the traditional coming-of-age tale, try the book that launched Victoria Jamieson to stardom. I don't think you'll regret it.
Astrid Vasquez and Nicole have been friends since first grade, when a girl named Rachel convinced Astrid she would die of rabies after touching a dead squirrel. Nicole dispelled Astrid's fear with her calm understanding of medical facts, and ever after the two were best friends. Astrid's mother often takes them out for Evenings of Cultural Enlightenment, local artistic experiences that Astrid and Nicole find less than stimulating, but they're in for a surprise one evening when Ms. Vasquez takes them to a women's roller derby competition. Astrid, now in fifth grade, is mesmerized by the drama and athleticism of the Rose City Rollers, Portland's hometown team that dominates the evening's bout behind the efforts of their star jammer, Rainbow Bite. A thrilling new world opens up for Astrid, but will her mother let her join a roller derby group?
This is the summer that Astrid and Nicole's friendship changes. Astrid desperately wants to sign up for Junior Roller Derby Camp, sponsored by the Rose City Rollers. The "Rosebuds" camp runs for a month this summer, and Astrid fantasizes about someday playing alongside Rainbow Bite on the professional circuit. The trouble is, Nicole doesn't want to go; she plans to spend the summer honing her ballet skills to dance en pointe, physically strenuous as it is. She's becoming friendly with Rachel, who still torments Astrid all these years after the dead squirrel incident. Why does Nicole want to make friends with a mean snob like that? Astrid doubts her mother will let her attend Junior Roller Derby Camp alone, so she pretends Nicole's mother will be driving them home. An hour walk home every day won't be fun, but it's worth it to join the Rosebuds...right?
Derby skating is way harder than Astrid imagined. Most of the girls at camp are bigger, tougher, seasoned skaters, and Astrid can barely stay on her feet. How does Rainbow Bite make it look as easy as walking? Astrid also lacks a clever roller derby nickname, to let opponents know you mean business before you step on the track. At least there's one girl her age at camp, Zoey. She's not a smooth skater either, so Astrid has company as a novice. Camp is a sustained physical ordeal as Astrid falls down again and again, left behind by other campers who are perfecting their skills. Can Astrid ever catch up to them? Bruised and discouraged, she feels like quitting, but the lead instructor—a pro known as Heidi Go Seek—challenges her to resist taking the easy way out. Astrid's long walk home each day under the scorching sun is brutal, but as she gets her feet under her, she's able to skate most of the way. She definitely needs the extra practice.
Though Astrid's confidence as a skater grows at a slow rate, she and Zoey encourage each other. They know Rainbow Bite couldn't have attained the pinnacle of her profession, aggressively checking skaters all over the track, by yielding to adversity. Astrid has a lot to focus on, but it still bothers her knowing that Nicole and Rachel are becoming best friends, united by a mutual love of ballet. Losing Nicole is like losing part of herself; Astrid has treasured their relationship since the day they met after Astrid touched the dead squirrel. It feels as though Rachel has stolen Nicole, and knowing Rachel, she probably did it out of spite. Astrid can't prevent Nicole from drifting away, but she redoubles her commitment to roller derby as camp speeds toward its conclusion and the Rosebuds prepare for their first real bout, live at halftime of a Rose City Rollers event. Early on in camp, Astrid started communicating anonymously with Rainbow Bite by stuffing notes into the pro skater's locker, and she's ecstatic about meeting her hero in person. But will Astrid have a respectable showing at the bout, or slip and fall all over the track and make a fool of herself? Is she even capable of qualifying to compete, or will Heidi Go Seek have her sit this one out until she's a better skater? Zoey is just as nervous as Astrid; Heidi assigned her a key role in the bout, and Zoey doubts she can deliver for her team. Astrid wants to be happy for her new friend, who's helped her develop some semblance of the confident, edgy attitude necessary to thrive at roller derby, but she wanted the role that Heidi gave Zoey. Is Astrid about to lose another friend because she's too self-absorbed to let her own feelings take a temporary backseat? Can she make peace with the divergent paths that she and Nicole are taking, and put her best foot forward to discover who she is without her former friend?
A story with just the right emotional tension, Roller Girl is both playful and thoughtful. Anyone who has embraced a challenging pastime the way Astrid has with roller derby will identify with the lessons she learns from her sport. "Tougher. Stronger. Fearless." That's the mantra drilled into Astrid and the other campers, emphasizing the need for tenacity in a rough sport like roller derby. You can't afford to feel sorry for yourself because a skater knocks you on your butt, and you shouldn't expect success without heavy investment of blood, sweat, and tears. You respond to getting hit hard by putting on your "warface" and issuing a return hit of your own, sending the message you won't be intimidated. A sport like roller derby is a good way to channel frustration; you use negative emotions as fuel to be a better athlete. Violence isn't appropriate in mainstream society, but Astrid is encouraged to lay big hits on people at the roller derby track, and it's a satisfying catharsis. But the most meaningful parts of Roller Girl are the places where we feel Astrid's pain as she recognizes she's losing Nicole. The day Nicole "rescued" her from rabies in first grade still means so much to her, as we plainly see when she reflects on it. "When someone saves your life like that...you can't help but become best friends." Aye, that's true, Astrid. Friendships change as the people in them do, but it's no easier to grow apart from a beloved friend than it is to pass through adolescence, as Astrid will soon. At least she'll have roller derby to reinforce habits of self-discipline and determination. She'll need that to grow into the person she's capable of being.
It's not a high-energy story, but Roller Girl has a lot to like. A roller derby skater herself, Victoria Jamieson understands the life lessons her sport offers. All athletics have them to some degree, but I appreciate the wisdom in these pages distilled from a hard-contact sport like roller derby. I'm not sure I'd have voted Roller Girl a 2016 Newbery Honor, but I see why the ALA committee did so, and I would round my two-and-a-half star rating to three. If you want a fresh take on the traditional coming-of-age tale, try the book that launched Victoria Jamieson to stardom. I don't think you'll regret it.
May 5, 2020
Re-read 2020: I decided it was high time to re-read this one and I am glad I did. It was such a fun graphic novel and while I wasn't always a fan of Astrid and her decisions, I loved seeing her grow throughout the book and get better and stronger (mentally and physically). I would love more Astrid and more rollerderby, but I guess it is just not happening. A shame.
I loved Rainbow Bite and how sweet and supportive she was.
The art was also great fun.
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After seeing this book, I knew I had to have it and thus I bought it immediately. And how happy I am that I did. This book was fantastic.
I have always been interested in Roller Derby, it seems like an epic sport (though also painful) and thus I just had to try this book out. A book about a girl who is finding herself, and finding a place in Roller Derby.
The main character was pretty great, though at times I was just shaking my head. She apparently expected the Roller Derby to be an easy task, something that anyone can do, and she quickly finds out that this is not true and everything is tough. That you just don't go from nothing to epicness without a fight. I didn't particularly like how she acted so often in the training. Crying, whining, being a brat about things. She should be grateful that they still want her, that they want her in the competition. Instead she fights with a new friend, acts like a brat and trains too much.
But, even with all this, I can imagine why she also was like this. After all the drama with her best friend, and a mean girl who is back in the picture. And then add to that the puberty and growing up stuff, I can imagine why she was like this. However, that still doesn't excuse her. It still doesn't make it all right.
But she was also really interesting and it was quite realistic to see her change. From not knowing what to do, to be unsure about herself, to rising up and coming out a stronger version of herself.
I loved our main character's new friend. She was terrific and I loved how she dyed her hair, and also helped our main character to look more tougher and to avoid the mom flipping too much (I adored that part). She was a really good friend, supporting her and trying to be there for her. Cheering her up. I felt sorry for her when all the drama happened. It was quite clear to everyone that she didn't want that role, but that she got it assigned and that there was nothing to do then to just go along with it. It wasn't as if she desperately wanted it.
I really loved the story, and I loved how realistic all the Roller Derby stuff was. It was also highly informative and I learned some new stuff. I would love to see such a Roller Derby competition one day. It must be great fun to see people skate and try to score points. And I love the names that each of the girls in the team had. It made it all so much more interesting, though it was also hilarious at times when you had a cute, quiet girl who had a name like a demon. :)
I also have to give a big applause to the main character's mom. Who was wonderful, who tried her best to care for her daughter, to be there for her. And she gave her some great advice when everything went wrong. Seriously, she is one super mom!
The art is really great and I loved how everything was drawn. I also loved how vivid the colours were that the artist used.
One thing that I would love to have? A sequel. About Astrid's time in Junior High, how the Derby is going and how her friendships are going.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I loved Rainbow Bite and how sweet and supportive she was.
The art was also great fun.
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After seeing this book, I knew I had to have it and thus I bought it immediately. And how happy I am that I did. This book was fantastic.
I have always been interested in Roller Derby, it seems like an epic sport (though also painful) and thus I just had to try this book out. A book about a girl who is finding herself, and finding a place in Roller Derby.
The main character was pretty great, though at times I was just shaking my head. She apparently expected the Roller Derby to be an easy task, something that anyone can do, and she quickly finds out that this is not true and everything is tough. That you just don't go from nothing to epicness without a fight. I didn't particularly like how she acted so often in the training. Crying, whining, being a brat about things. She should be grateful that they still want her, that they want her in the competition. Instead she fights with a new friend, acts like a brat and trains too much.
But, even with all this, I can imagine why she also was like this. After all the drama with her best friend, and a mean girl who is back in the picture. And then add to that the puberty and growing up stuff, I can imagine why she was like this. However, that still doesn't excuse her. It still doesn't make it all right.
But she was also really interesting and it was quite realistic to see her change. From not knowing what to do, to be unsure about herself, to rising up and coming out a stronger version of herself.
I loved our main character's new friend. She was terrific and I loved how she dyed her hair, and also helped our main character to look more tougher and to avoid the mom flipping too much (I adored that part). She was a really good friend, supporting her and trying to be there for her. Cheering her up. I felt sorry for her when all the drama happened. It was quite clear to everyone that she didn't want that role, but that she got it assigned and that there was nothing to do then to just go along with it. It wasn't as if she desperately wanted it.
I really loved the story, and I loved how realistic all the Roller Derby stuff was. It was also highly informative and I learned some new stuff. I would love to see such a Roller Derby competition one day. It must be great fun to see people skate and try to score points. And I love the names that each of the girls in the team had. It made it all so much more interesting, though it was also hilarious at times when you had a cute, quiet girl who had a name like a demon. :)
I also have to give a big applause to the main character's mom. Who was wonderful, who tried her best to care for her daughter, to be there for her. And she gave her some great advice when everything went wrong. Seriously, she is one super mom!
The art is really great and I loved how everything was drawn. I also loved how vivid the colours were that the artist used.
One thing that I would love to have? A sequel. About Astrid's time in Junior High, how the Derby is going and how her friendships are going.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 5, 2017
This was such a good children's graphic novel and I'm so glad that I picked it up. I struggled a little bit at first but I really ended up enjoying the contents of the story and the artwork. I can't wait to read more from this author and experience more of her artwork.
July 28, 2015
Why the hell are you reading this review instead of reading the book? GO! NOW! You can come back and thank me later.
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