New Challenges

Perfect Balance Gymnastics Optionals #1

by Melisa Torres

Paige is back in this Perfect Balance Gymnastics spin-off series about strong diverse girls reaching thier goals.Paige has been invited to train with the Level 6 team, the first level of optionals, at Perfect Balance Gymnastics Academy. Paige has been looking forward to optionals where she can compete her own routines. Her coaches believe she can learn her new skills and routines in time for the first Level 6 meet in six weeks. But Paige is growing so fast that learning new skills has become a huge challenge. She feels big and clunky compared to her younger teammates.Conversely, Paige feels young and small at middle school. Her school friends talk about cramps and their period. The more Paige listens the more she’s convinced she does not want to become a woman. Paige is turning 13 this fall and she realizes she can’t stop puberty from coming. Will Paige find the confidence she needs to handle new routines, puberty, and middle school?New Challenges is the first book in the new series, Perfect Balance Gymnastics Optionals. This new series is a spin-off to the original Perfect Balance Gymnastics Series. Both series depict strong diverse girls reaching their goals and promote grace and confidence for life.This book is written at a 6th/7th grade reading level and appeals to ages 11-14.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2021

About the author

Melisa grew up in San Jose, California where she trained at Almaden Valley Gymnastics Club for ten years. Melisa moved through the competitive Junior Olympic levels of USA Gymnastics. She then went on to compete for Utah State University. At Utah State Melisa was part of a record breaking team who won Big West Championships in 1996 and 1998. Melisa was also a two time Academic All-American and team captain.

At Utah State Melisa got her BS in Psychology and a minor in Literature.

​Melisa stays involved in gymnastics by occasionally coaching (as a sub) at local gyms and choreographing floor routines. She also loves following elite and college gymnastics.

Melisa lives in Utah and is a single mother to two active boys. Their favorite things to do together are skiing, swimming, going to the library, and dancing in the kitchen.

Reviews

[Patricia Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love these books and the characters, young kids who like gymnastics should give them a go.