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The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders
From New York Times best-selling author of Lilac Girls Martha Hall Kelly and co-author Kathy Murray comes a novella based on Murray's true underdog story, following her time coaching a German cheerleading squad and ultimately inspiring a group of young women to reach new heights in their sport.
It’s 1997, and Kathy Murray, desperate to leave her medical sales job and pursue her passion, accepts an offer to teach aerobics in Germany - as a former elite athlete, she’s confident she can handle whatever comes her way. She quickly realizes, though, that her leap of faith may be more challenging than she thought, struggling with the German language and the overt racism she constantly faces as one of the only Black people in her new community. But that doesn’t stop her from taking on her biggest challenge yet: coaching a cheerleading squad of disengaged teenagers with only weeks to prepare for their championship competition.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Annika Jensen is a gifted gymnast, but when she arrives in Munich, she’s still haunted by the troubling memories of her previous cheer squad and has no interest in revisiting the sport. Can the Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders and their fearless new coach reignite Annika’s passion and rebuild her confidence?
Told from Kathy and Annika’s perspectives, The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders is an uplifting story of friendship and conviction in the face of adversity.
Listening Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins
It’s 1997, and Kathy Murray, desperate to leave her medical sales job and pursue her passion, accepts an offer to teach aerobics in Germany - as a former elite athlete, she’s confident she can handle whatever comes her way. She quickly realizes, though, that her leap of faith may be more challenging than she thought, struggling with the German language and the overt racism she constantly faces as one of the only Black people in her new community. But that doesn’t stop her from taking on her biggest challenge yet: coaching a cheerleading squad of disengaged teenagers with only weeks to prepare for their championship competition.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Annika Jensen is a gifted gymnast, but when she arrives in Munich, she’s still haunted by the troubling memories of her previous cheer squad and has no interest in revisiting the sport. Can the Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders and their fearless new coach reignite Annika’s passion and rebuild her confidence?
Told from Kathy and Annika’s perspectives, The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders is an uplifting story of friendship and conviction in the face of adversity.
Listening Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins
Audible Audio
Published February 24, 2022
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About the author
Martha Hall Kelly
15 books8,232 followersMartha is still pinching herself after her debut novel LILAC GIRLS, about socialite Caroline Ferriday and her fight to help a group of concentration camp survivors, became an Instant NY Times bestseller in 2016 and went on to sell over two million copies. Once the paperback stayed on the NYT list for 54 weeks, and became published in fifty countries she wrote three more novels: LOST ROSES about Caroline's mother, SUNFLOWER SISTERS about her great grandmother, and THE GOLDEN DOVES about two best friends who unite to find a missing Nazi doctor. Martha's next book, which arrives summer 2025, is THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD BEACH AND BOOK CLUB about two sisters who turn the tide of the war with the help of their book club. Martha grew up in Massachusetts and now splits her time between Connecticut and New York City. You'll find more info about the incredible, true stories behind all of her books at her website: http://www.marthahallkelly.com, on Instagram: @marthahakkkelly, Facebook and on her ever-changing Pinterest page.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 15, 2022
The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders is my favorite of the 4 Audible Original short stories I’ve listened to recently. It’s an easy listen about a Black cheerleading coach, Kathy, who moves to Germany to coach a high school squad. The story is told from Kathy’s POV and the POV of the squad’s star athlete, Annika.
May 8, 2022
Sure, Kathy Murray’s memoir on her time as the African-American coach of a nascent cheerleading squad in Munich is uplifting. It’s like so many feel-good sports stories. But even if you know where it’s going, you’ll love being along for the ride. I was stunned by the amount of racism there was in Germany as recently as the 1990s (and maybe still). Available at no extra charge on Audible Plus, this book is made all the better by the two excellent narrators.
June 28, 2022
Interesting story, wish it had been longer:). Loved the story of the girls and Kathy.. wanted to kick certain people in the butt for their treatment of Kathy and Annika *glares*
I probably would have said the same as Kathy did initially.. sometimes we don't always see ourselves like others do but I think Martha had a good point.
--
Audible original audio
Narration: 3.5 stars 🌟
Story itself: 4 stars 🌟
Writing: 3.25 stars 🌟
I probably would have said the same as Kathy did initially.. sometimes we don't always see ourselves like others do but I think Martha had a good point.
--
Audible original audio
Narration: 3.5 stars 🌟
Story itself: 4 stars 🌟
Writing: 3.25 stars 🌟
March 11, 2022
Enjoyed this more than i probably should have. Had definite bring it on vibes but not too dramatic. It ended up being uplifting and a really good read.
March 8, 2022
If you’re a fan of the Netflix docuseries Cheer, you’ll love this novella. The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders is an Audible Original told from two perspectives.
Based in the 90’s, we follow Kathy Murray, who moves from America and coaches a rookie cheerleading squad in Germany, all while facing language barriers and racial discrimination. Next, we follow Annika Jensen, a talented gymnast who is the misunderstood outcast at her school. Both are newcomers in this small German town, and their journeys collide when Kathy becomes Annika’s coach. Kathy is determined to connect with her cheerleaders and uplift them all—especially Annika. Now it’s a race to perfect their routine before they compete against the Stingers, their rival—which just so happens to be Annika’s previous squad.
Since this is an audio novella, it’s a quick listen (about 2 1/2 hours) that I finished over the weekend. I was a cheerleader during my childhood, so this story brought back good memories. I love how descriptive the co-authors were because it was easy to visualize the practices and performances.
This is a beautiful story about how a teacher/coach and a student both make a difference in each other’s lives. Thank you BookSparks, Martha Hall Kelly, and Kathy Murray for the chance to receive this audiobook. @BookSparks, @TriBaby1, & @MarthaHallKelly1
Based in the 90’s, we follow Kathy Murray, who moves from America and coaches a rookie cheerleading squad in Germany, all while facing language barriers and racial discrimination. Next, we follow Annika Jensen, a talented gymnast who is the misunderstood outcast at her school. Both are newcomers in this small German town, and their journeys collide when Kathy becomes Annika’s coach. Kathy is determined to connect with her cheerleaders and uplift them all—especially Annika. Now it’s a race to perfect their routine before they compete against the Stingers, their rival—which just so happens to be Annika’s previous squad.
Since this is an audio novella, it’s a quick listen (about 2 1/2 hours) that I finished over the weekend. I was a cheerleader during my childhood, so this story brought back good memories. I love how descriptive the co-authors were because it was easy to visualize the practices and performances.
This is a beautiful story about how a teacher/coach and a student both make a difference in each other’s lives. Thank you BookSparks, Martha Hall Kelly, and Kathy Murray for the chance to receive this audiobook. @BookSparks, @TriBaby1, & @MarthaHallKelly1
March 16, 2022
Based on the true story of Kathy Murray's experience as a black woman taking over a Football cheerleading program in Munich. Kathy is in Germany trying to get her life on track. Her parents want her to stay in the states at a job she hates but she wants to give her dreams one last try before settling for the career she can't stand.
Kathy finds her way to taking the position of head cheerleading coach for the Munich Cowboys. After being hired, however, there is serious backlash over the fact that she is black. In addition the girls are poorly disciplined and far from the cream of the crop that their main competition is. Kathy is determined to turn the program around and make the Cowboys a team to be looked up to.
My biggest complaint with this book is that it was a novella. I wanted more. We went from Kathy is an outcast to the girls love Kathy. We went from the star athlete having an attitude to suddenly she is working hard. I needed more details and to see these battles being waged instead of being told the beginning and the end.
The backstory of this book coming to fruition is one that I love. Martha Hall Kelly is a name I love for historical fiction and the reason I decided to give this book a shot. Kathy is her personal trainer and after Kathy shared her story Martha decided it should be written about. I just wish she had gone for more full length than just the highlights!
Thank you to @booksparks @marthahallkelly1 @tribaby1 for the opportunity to listen to this one in exchange for my honest review.
#munichcowboyscheerleaders
Kathy finds her way to taking the position of head cheerleading coach for the Munich Cowboys. After being hired, however, there is serious backlash over the fact that she is black. In addition the girls are poorly disciplined and far from the cream of the crop that their main competition is. Kathy is determined to turn the program around and make the Cowboys a team to be looked up to.
My biggest complaint with this book is that it was a novella. I wanted more. We went from Kathy is an outcast to the girls love Kathy. We went from the star athlete having an attitude to suddenly she is working hard. I needed more details and to see these battles being waged instead of being told the beginning and the end.
The backstory of this book coming to fruition is one that I love. Martha Hall Kelly is a name I love for historical fiction and the reason I decided to give this book a shot. Kathy is her personal trainer and after Kathy shared her story Martha decided it should be written about. I just wish she had gone for more full length than just the highlights!
Thank you to @booksparks @marthahallkelly1 @tribaby1 for the opportunity to listen to this one in exchange for my honest review.
#munichcowboyscheerleaders
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June 18, 2025Hörbuch
March 2, 2022
This was such an interesting true story based on Kathy Murray’s life. Being only 2 hrs 34 min long, this is a quick one, but it packs in a lot of heart and insight in that short time. Definitely a good option for fans of the show, Cheer!
Thank you tag @BookSparks, @MarthaHallKelly1, Kathy Murray at @TriBaby1 for this gifted Audible copy!
Thank you tag @BookSparks, @MarthaHallKelly1, Kathy Murray at @TriBaby1 for this gifted Audible copy!
March 10, 2022
A novella based on Kathy Murphy’s experience coaching an underdog cheerleading squad in Germany. In 1996, Kathy traveled overseas to follow her passion of cheering, escaping the racial bias she was experiencing in the states. She brings her experience as a coach from her time as a member The Ohio State University National Championship Cheerleading Team, to a group of German girls.
This story is not about cheering but rather believing in your convictions and finding that voice to articulate what you want. She uplifts a group of girls to the top, and along the way finally she finds her home.
Thank you, Partners @BookSparks, @MarthaHallKelly1 @TriBaby1 #MunichCowboysCheerleaders.
This story is not about cheering but rather believing in your convictions and finding that voice to articulate what you want. She uplifts a group of girls to the top, and along the way finally she finds her home.
Thank you, Partners @BookSparks, @MarthaHallKelly1 @TriBaby1 #MunichCowboysCheerleaders.
March 26, 2022
A little novella confection to keep me company on dog walks. Free from audible. Not great; not terrible.
July 1, 2024
The Munich Cowboy Cheerleaders
by Martha Hall Kelly and Kathy Murray
What drew me to this story was my daughter did competitive cheer for a few years in high school. Her team won the state championship her sophomore year! She had to quit junior year (grades are super important then) because it was the same season as gymnastics, her first love, and a sport that only added to her talent as a cheerleader. She also did football cheer all through middle and high school. Those were some of our best memories going to the game and watching her cheer or going to a competition. Afterwards my voice would be hoarse!
I loved the author’s note at the end of the audiobook. Kathy and Martha describe how the story came together. Kathy was Marhta’s fitness trainer for years and the two had become quite close over the years sharing stories from their past and present. When Martha heard about Kathy’s time in Munich she convinced her to let her write about the experience as a novella.
Okay another reason I loved this book was because Kathy cheered for the Buckeyes and often talked about Columbus, Ohio which is where I have lived the last several decades!
Synopsis:
Told from two perspectives, Kathy and Annika, each share the highs and lows of being an underdog team that rises to triumph.
The year is 1997 and Kathy is disenchanted with her job in medical sales. When an opportunity presents itself in Germany to be a fitness instructor she jumps at the chance. Kathy’s parents have their concerns that she will be treated worse in Germany as a black woman than in the states. Her father also doesn’t want to see her throw away the security of a fulltime job.
Once she gets over to Germany she learns about a position open to coach a Cheerleading squad that will cheer for one of the American style football teams. At first she is not well received by the girls and especially not by their mothers who expect to stay and workout while their daughters do!? Soon she gains their respect and gets the opportunity to take the team to the qualifiers. Despite how well the team comes together Kathy still faces racial discrimination that effects the whole team.
Annika, 17 years old, was once part of the most elite cheer squad in Germany, The Stingers. Because of mean girl drama she was kicked off the team. She has recently lost her father and her and her mother have relocated to Munich. The last thing she wants is to be involved in another cheer squad. Her reputation precedes her and soon the girls at her new school have talked her into joining. Her teammates look to Annika as a leader because of her natural talent. Although she enjoys cheering she has to work part time to help her mother with the expenses. If Kathy can convince Annika to stay committed they just might have a shot!
I highly recommend this novella. If You've read the LIlac Girls or Sunflower Sisters you know the quality of Martha’s work and Murray’s compliments it well.
by Martha Hall Kelly and Kathy Murray
What drew me to this story was my daughter did competitive cheer for a few years in high school. Her team won the state championship her sophomore year! She had to quit junior year (grades are super important then) because it was the same season as gymnastics, her first love, and a sport that only added to her talent as a cheerleader. She also did football cheer all through middle and high school. Those were some of our best memories going to the game and watching her cheer or going to a competition. Afterwards my voice would be hoarse!
I loved the author’s note at the end of the audiobook. Kathy and Martha describe how the story came together. Kathy was Marhta’s fitness trainer for years and the two had become quite close over the years sharing stories from their past and present. When Martha heard about Kathy’s time in Munich she convinced her to let her write about the experience as a novella.
Okay another reason I loved this book was because Kathy cheered for the Buckeyes and often talked about Columbus, Ohio which is where I have lived the last several decades!
Synopsis:
Told from two perspectives, Kathy and Annika, each share the highs and lows of being an underdog team that rises to triumph.
The year is 1997 and Kathy is disenchanted with her job in medical sales. When an opportunity presents itself in Germany to be a fitness instructor she jumps at the chance. Kathy’s parents have their concerns that she will be treated worse in Germany as a black woman than in the states. Her father also doesn’t want to see her throw away the security of a fulltime job.
Once she gets over to Germany she learns about a position open to coach a Cheerleading squad that will cheer for one of the American style football teams. At first she is not well received by the girls and especially not by their mothers who expect to stay and workout while their daughters do!? Soon she gains their respect and gets the opportunity to take the team to the qualifiers. Despite how well the team comes together Kathy still faces racial discrimination that effects the whole team.
Annika, 17 years old, was once part of the most elite cheer squad in Germany, The Stingers. Because of mean girl drama she was kicked off the team. She has recently lost her father and her and her mother have relocated to Munich. The last thing she wants is to be involved in another cheer squad. Her reputation precedes her and soon the girls at her new school have talked her into joining. Her teammates look to Annika as a leader because of her natural talent. Although she enjoys cheering she has to work part time to help her mother with the expenses. If Kathy can convince Annika to stay committed they just might have a shot!
I highly recommend this novella. If You've read the LIlac Girls or Sunflower Sisters you know the quality of Martha’s work and Murray’s compliments it well.
August 17, 2024
The Munich Cowboy Cheerleaders
by Martha Hall Kelly and Kathy Murray
What drew me to this story was my daughter did competitive cheer for a few years in high school. Her team won the state championship her sophomore year! She had to quit junior year (grades are super important then) because it was the same season as gymnastics, her first love, and a sport that only added to her talent as a cheerleader. She also did football cheer all through middle and high school. Those were some of our best memories going to the game and watching her cheer or going to a competition. Afterwards my voice would be hoarse!
I loved the author’s note at the end of the audiobook. Kathy and Martha describe how the story came together. Kathy was Marhta’s fitness trainer for years and the two had become quite close over the years sharing stories from their past and present. When Martha heard about Kathy’s time in Munich she convinced her to let her write about the experience as a novella.
Okay another reason I loved this book was because Kathy cheered for the Buckeyes and often talked about Columbus, Ohio which is where I have lived the last several decades!
Synopsis:
Told from two perspectives, Kathy and Annika, each share the highs and lows of being an underdog team that rises to triumph.
The year is 1997 and Kathy is disenchanted with her job in medical sales. When an opportunity presents itself in Germany to be a fitness instructor she jumps at the chance. Kathy’s parents have their concerns that she will be treated worse in Germany as a black woman than in the states. Her father also doesn’t want to see her throw away the security of a fulltime job.
Once she gets over to Germany she learns about a position open to coach a Cheerleading squad that will cheer for one of the American style football teams. At first she is not well received by the girls and especially not by their mothers who expect to stay and workout while their daughters do!? Soon she gains their respect and gets the opportunity to take the team to the qualifiers. Despite how well the team comes together Kathy still faces racial discrimination that effects the whole team.
Annika, 17 years old, was once part of the most elite cheer squad in Germany, The Stingers. Because of mean girl drama she was kicked off the team. She has recently lost her father and her and her mother have relocated to Munich. The last thing she wants is to be involved in another cheer squad. Her reputation precedes her and soon the girls at her new school have talked her into joining. Her teammates look to Annika as a leader because of her natural talent. Although she enjoys cheering she has to work part time to help her mother with the expenses. If Kathy can convince Annika to stay committed they just might have a shot!
I highly recommend this novella. If You've read the LIlac Girls or Sunflower Sisters you know the quality of Martha’s work!
by Martha Hall Kelly and Kathy Murray
What drew me to this story was my daughter did competitive cheer for a few years in high school. Her team won the state championship her sophomore year! She had to quit junior year (grades are super important then) because it was the same season as gymnastics, her first love, and a sport that only added to her talent as a cheerleader. She also did football cheer all through middle and high school. Those were some of our best memories going to the game and watching her cheer or going to a competition. Afterwards my voice would be hoarse!
I loved the author’s note at the end of the audiobook. Kathy and Martha describe how the story came together. Kathy was Marhta’s fitness trainer for years and the two had become quite close over the years sharing stories from their past and present. When Martha heard about Kathy’s time in Munich she convinced her to let her write about the experience as a novella.
Okay another reason I loved this book was because Kathy cheered for the Buckeyes and often talked about Columbus, Ohio which is where I have lived the last several decades!
Synopsis:
Told from two perspectives, Kathy and Annika, each share the highs and lows of being an underdog team that rises to triumph.
The year is 1997 and Kathy is disenchanted with her job in medical sales. When an opportunity presents itself in Germany to be a fitness instructor she jumps at the chance. Kathy’s parents have their concerns that she will be treated worse in Germany as a black woman than in the states. Her father also doesn’t want to see her throw away the security of a fulltime job.
Once she gets over to Germany she learns about a position open to coach a Cheerleading squad that will cheer for one of the American style football teams. At first she is not well received by the girls and especially not by their mothers who expect to stay and workout while their daughters do!? Soon she gains their respect and gets the opportunity to take the team to the qualifiers. Despite how well the team comes together Kathy still faces racial discrimination that effects the whole team.
Annika, 17 years old, was once part of the most elite cheer squad in Germany, The Stingers. Because of mean girl drama she was kicked off the team. She has recently lost her father and her and her mother have relocated to Munich. The last thing she wants is to be involved in another cheer squad. Her reputation precedes her and soon the girls at her new school have talked her into joining. Her teammates look to Annika as a leader because of her natural talent. Although she enjoys cheering she has to work part time to help her mother with the expenses. If Kathy can convince Annika to stay committed they just might have a shot!
I highly recommend this novella. If You've read the LIlac Girls or Sunflower Sisters you know the quality of Martha’s work!
December 20, 2023
I picked this to listen to on a whim, not realizing that this is based on Kathy Murray’s actual experiences in Munich in 1997. Murray met well-known author Kelly when Kelly became her trainer in 2016. Kelly was then trying to get her first book published and Murray encouraged her. At the same time, Murray told Kelly about her experiences working in Munich.
After graduating from Ohio State and winning the Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship in 1986 with two friends, Kathy started a career in medical sales. Then, in 1997, with aerobics and fitness still her passion, she took a leap and moved to Munich to teach aerobics. She also agreed to coach the young cheerleading squad for the Munich Cowboys, one of the several German teams playing American football. She found a group of unmotivated young women with interfering mothers who didn’t want their girls to do anything physically challenging or to get muscles. Their racism (Kathy is Black) was subtle but obvious, too. Kathy managed to break through to the young women and get them enthusiastic about competing in the national cheerleading competition and even to challenge the perennial champs from Stuttgart.
I was astonished at the racism Kathy encountered; much worse than she experienced from the mothers of her squad members. When she sat down in a café, people would move away, men would should insults at her in the street and even try to knock her down. It made me think that some Germans have learned absolutely nothing from their country’s Nazi past.
Despite the upsetting racism, this is a short, entertaining, and even inspirational underdog story. The audiobook is read in a dual narrative, with one woman reading Kathy’s POV and another reading Annika, the most talented but often most problematic cheerleader.
After graduating from Ohio State and winning the Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship in 1986 with two friends, Kathy started a career in medical sales. Then, in 1997, with aerobics and fitness still her passion, she took a leap and moved to Munich to teach aerobics. She also agreed to coach the young cheerleading squad for the Munich Cowboys, one of the several German teams playing American football. She found a group of unmotivated young women with interfering mothers who didn’t want their girls to do anything physically challenging or to get muscles. Their racism (Kathy is Black) was subtle but obvious, too. Kathy managed to break through to the young women and get them enthusiastic about competing in the national cheerleading competition and even to challenge the perennial champs from Stuttgart.
I was astonished at the racism Kathy encountered; much worse than she experienced from the mothers of her squad members. When she sat down in a café, people would move away, men would should insults at her in the street and even try to knock her down. It made me think that some Germans have learned absolutely nothing from their country’s Nazi past.
Despite the upsetting racism, this is a short, entertaining, and even inspirational underdog story. The audiobook is read in a dual narrative, with one woman reading Kathy’s POV and another reading Annika, the most talented but often most problematic cheerleader.
March 2, 2022
This was a novella that I chose to for 4 reasons: 1) I really like Martha Hall Kelly books 2) I had a long car ride and it is nice to have variety rather than just one book 3) I have been ready really long books lately, so felt I deserved a short one which leads to #4) I really wanted one more book read to meet my Feb book goal.
It was good and very different from the Lilac Girls series. Martha commented in the end that it's the first book she has written on a living person. This living person is her training her had a 'Bad News Bears' experience after she randomly took on a coaching position in Germany to a group of competitive cheerleaders. The story was both funny and insightful and, of course, well written as it came from MHK. Also interesting on both the cultural differences and the amount of prejudice in Germany in the 90s.
It was good and very different from the Lilac Girls series. Martha commented in the end that it's the first book she has written on a living person. This living person is her training her had a 'Bad News Bears' experience after she randomly took on a coaching position in Germany to a group of competitive cheerleaders. The story was both funny and insightful and, of course, well written as it came from MHK. Also interesting on both the cultural differences and the amount of prejudice in Germany in the 90s.
March 13, 2022
When I heard that Martha Hall Kelly had created a novella for Audible Originals, I knew I had to listen to it. I read her first book Lilac Girls last year and really loved it. The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders is a very different story from Lilac Girls, but if you like Kelly’s writing style, you’ll likely enjoy this one too.
The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders is at its core a story about hard work and perseverance, and also building the life you want. Prior to listening to this story, I had no idea that American football and cheerleading had become popular in Germany in the 1990s. I liked following the path of the cheerleaders, despite obstacles they had to overcome, and I liked that Kathy Murray, the coach, coauthored the novella—it is her story, after all! This is a story with heart and is a quick listen at right around 2.5 hours.
Thank you to BookSparks for providing free access to and the opportunity to review this audionovella!
The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders is at its core a story about hard work and perseverance, and also building the life you want. Prior to listening to this story, I had no idea that American football and cheerleading had become popular in Germany in the 1990s. I liked following the path of the cheerleaders, despite obstacles they had to overcome, and I liked that Kathy Murray, the coach, coauthored the novella—it is her story, after all! This is a story with heart and is a quick listen at right around 2.5 hours.
Thank you to BookSparks for providing free access to and the opportunity to review this audionovella!
March 20, 2022
Thanks to Booksparks for an advanced audio copy of The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders. This is a novella based on Kathy Murray's experience coaching a German Cheerleading squad.
In 1996 Kathy went to Germany to follow her passion and teach aerobics. She was on The Ohio State University National Championship Cheerleading squad and ends up coaching a group of German teenagers with only weeks to prepare before a competition.
This is a great story of friendship and conviction in the face of adversity. I really loved hearing about cheerleading in Germany and the American Football league.
It's a 2 hour 30 minute novella and I enjoyed both narrators.
In 1996 Kathy went to Germany to follow her passion and teach aerobics. She was on The Ohio State University National Championship Cheerleading squad and ends up coaching a group of German teenagers with only weeks to prepare before a competition.
This is a great story of friendship and conviction in the face of adversity. I really loved hearing about cheerleading in Germany and the American Football league.
It's a 2 hour 30 minute novella and I enjoyed both narrators.
April 26, 2022
This was a wonderful audiobook to listen to! It was only about 2.5 hours total and the narration was highly engaging and kept my attention. I thought Kathy’s story of coaching the Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders and how her relationship with Annikah evolved over time was fascinating. Overall I really enjoyed this audiobook!
June 22, 2022
Hard to believe the battles one African American cheerleading coach has in Munich, Germany in the mid-nineties. It's one of those fantastic Cinderella stories with a heart wrenching ending. Narrators do a great job with the characters. Entertaining, educational and true.
April 12, 2022
Inspiring! I wish it was longer.
May 9, 2022
Another short story
May 13, 2024
A great listen of Kathy and Annika's experience with the Munich Cheer Competition! It was inspiring to hear of overcoming prejudice and racism.
November 30, 2024
I love a cute, feel-good cheerleading story!
January 2, 2025
It was a good "I can overcome my fears and face opposition and win" story... did not see much of Martha's influence in the read.
July 17, 2024
If you’re a fan of the Netflix docuseries Cheer, you’ll love this novella... The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders will be released August 2, 2024.
Based in the 90’s and told through two perspectives, we follow Kathy Murray, who moves from America and coaches a rookie cheerleading squad in Germany, all while facing language barriers and racial discrimination. Next, we follow Annika Jensen, a talented gymnast who is the misunderstood outcast at her school. Both are newcomers in this small German town, and their journeys collide when Kathy becomes Annika’s coach. Kathy is determined to connect with her cheerleaders and uplift them all—especially Annika. Now it’s a race to perfect their routine before they compete against the Stingers, their rival—which just so happens to be Annika’s previous squad.
This quick read is packed with emotion. I was a cheerleader during my childhood, so this story brought back good memories. I love how descriptive the co-authors were because it was easy to visualize the practices and performances.
This is a beautiful memoir about how a teacher/coach and a student both make a difference in each other’s lives. Thank you BookSparks, Martha Hall Kelly, and Kathy Murray for the chance to review this book ahead of its release @BookSparks, @TriBaby1, & @MarthaHallKelly
Based in the 90’s and told through two perspectives, we follow Kathy Murray, who moves from America and coaches a rookie cheerleading squad in Germany, all while facing language barriers and racial discrimination. Next, we follow Annika Jensen, a talented gymnast who is the misunderstood outcast at her school. Both are newcomers in this small German town, and their journeys collide when Kathy becomes Annika’s coach. Kathy is determined to connect with her cheerleaders and uplift them all—especially Annika. Now it’s a race to perfect their routine before they compete against the Stingers, their rival—which just so happens to be Annika’s previous squad.
This quick read is packed with emotion. I was a cheerleader during my childhood, so this story brought back good memories. I love how descriptive the co-authors were because it was easy to visualize the practices and performances.
This is a beautiful memoir about how a teacher/coach and a student both make a difference in each other’s lives. Thank you BookSparks, Martha Hall Kelly, and Kathy Murray for the chance to review this book ahead of its release @BookSparks, @TriBaby1, & @MarthaHallKelly
October 3, 2023
5⭐️ an excellent short listen set in germany in the 90s! i thoroughly enjoyed both povs and learned so much about the racism still occurring at that time in germany. the author’s note at the end made the story for me, so don’t skip it!
March 9, 2022
This is a quick, feel-good listen that tell the true story of author Kathy Murray’s time in Germany coaching a ragtag group of girls into cheerleading champions. Kathy faces quite an uphill battle: not only does she have to whip a group of unathletic girls into shape, but she has to fight racism while doing it.
The backstory to this novela is just as sweet: co- author Martha Hall Kelly is a New York Times bestselling author and Kathy Murray is her long-time trainer. I love women supporting women.
The backstory to this novela is just as sweet: co- author Martha Hall Kelly is a New York Times bestselling author and Kathy Murray is her long-time trainer. I love women supporting women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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