Graphic Novel Review: Creaky Acres

Nora loves horseback riding and competitions. She's devastated to learn that she's moving away - from her friends and her horse barn. Her new barn doesn't compete in horse shows. She isn't sure she likes her horse barn. The other riders aren't as serious. Can she find a home here?

My Thoughts: I really loved this graphic novel. Nora has a hard time adjusting to her new barn. But she does find a common ground with the other riders. I love the way they come together. I couldn't recommend this book enough. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Why I Read This: I'm still a horse girl at heart

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public libraries

Hand this book to: readers who love horses and new beginnings  

Middle Grade Review: On Guard

Grace isn't excited about 7th grade, especially since she and her BFF ended their friendship. She's also stuck between her parents' divorce. Grace doesn't know how to connect to her mother. She lives most of the time with her father, but she's forced to spend time with her mother too.

Her father asks her to join a club. Grace isn't sure what club to join, but she has been watching the fencing club for a week while she eats lunch. There she meets a friend. Could she have found her place?

My Thoughts: This was a great graphic novel; I read it in one sitting. I felt so bad for Grace and the situation with her mom. I did like how things turned out. Her Dad was sweet and kind. I really liked Ash. This was a great sports graphic novel with lots of drama.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries

Hand this to: readers who like sports books and books about drama.

* This book comes out tomorrow

Review: Out Of Our League

 

If you're a sports reader - this one is for you!

There are 16 sports short stories - all different sports from YA lit. While they are all wildly different, some do connect with names from other stories. 

The one problem I have with short stories is that I want more; I want them to become books.

In addition to sports, there is romance, friendship, and family drama.

There truly is something for everyone in this book. 

Graphic Novel Review: Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper

Gemma's dealing with a lot right now - she's picking up the slack from her mother, looking after her brothers, and helping her older brother with his baseball dreams. But could she have dreams of her own? Gemma's just trying to keep everything together, but can she also figure out what she wants?

My Thoughts: A great graphic novel with sports and drama. All the drama! (Friendship, school, and family drama) I love it when the siblings play baseball together. I love it when Teddy realizes the truth about Gemma and forces her to realize it too. While the parents aren't great in this one, the father realizes it in the end. I like how the illustrations are mostly green, black, and white. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: A great sports graphic novel - highly recommended for your school and public library collections!

Graphic Novel Review: Hoops

Indiana 1975 is the start of a ladies' high school basketball team and the start of a state championship.  Judy has always wanted to play basketball but there was never a ladies' team before. She skips cheerleading practice to try-out. But with only 8 ladies interested, everyone makes the team.

At the first game, they find out there are no uniforms. They don't have a bus. They don't have much of anything. But what they do have is heart. The inequality bugs them. But until they have people watching their game, they're forced to deal with it.

So, they try to fill the seats, but it doesn't quite work. How can they move forward when everyone else is holding them back?

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel, I couldn't put it down. I loved the struggle these girls faced - both in basketball and in getting respect. I loved their struggles as a team and how they worked through them and showed up for each other. I loved the funny moments - like seeing the camper for the first time. A very inspiring read full of heart, determination, hard work, and friendship. This book is a great introduction to Title IX and equality. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My library

Library Recommendations: A must have graphic novel for your school or public library collection!

Graphic Novel Review: Play Like a Girl

 

Misty isn't that excited about seventh grade. But when the boys tell her she can't play football - she's determined to prove them wrong. She tries out for the team, convincing her best friend, Bree, to try out too. 

Bree isn't all that interested. She never wants to practice and she'd rather hang out with Ava, a more popular girl, and talk about boys and clothes. Misty isn't sure what to do about her friendship. Bree says hurtful comments disguised as jokes. Misty isn't sure she wants to remain friends. But she is sure about proving herself to the football team. 

My Thoughts: I Loved this one. Misty reminded me of me at that age. I wasn't into football, but basketball. I love her determination, how she kept going when the times got tough. I love how she made friends on the football team and the cheerleading team. 7th grade is hard to navigate, but it seems like Misty figured out what she wanted and didn't want. I didn't want this one to end! 

I really liked the illustrations. And the author's note at the end. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it.

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries - highly recommended!

Book List: Cheerleading Books

 Yesterday, I shared my Bring It On Book Tok. 

And today I'm sharing some YA Books about cheerleading

Book List:

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

Perfect Cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Radiate by Marley Gibson

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier

Flying by Carrie Jones

I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott

The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance

What other cheerleading books are there?

5 Things: (2): Homefield Advantage

 

Ever since I heard about this book, it's been on my TBR pile. And it did not disappoint!

Here are 5 Things I loved about it!

And some book recommendations: 

* ARC sent for review

Middle Grade Review: Lizzy Legend

Lizzy's the best basketball player in her grade; she takes after her father. She's always working on her skills. When she finally makes the boy's team, she proud of herself.

But one day she answers a strange call. At first she thinks it's just another bill collector, but it turns out Lizzy's given a wish. She wishes never to miss a basketball shot again. Nothing but net - every single time.

That's when everything changes...

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book - I'm always interested in sports books, especially ones with girl main characters. I enjoyed how Lizzy made her way to the top. I loved her relationship with Toby, he added some humor to the story. I liked Lizzy's attitude - even though every shot would go in, she still worked on her skills. I liked the format of the book - interviews mixed in with the story. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your sporty readers.

Review: The Game Can't Love You Back

Eve's used to being one of the boys - from her family life filled with brothers to being on the baseball team. But everything changes when her school burns down and she's forced to attend a different school. She doesn't want to start all over again, but she's not about to give up pitching.

Jamie, the star pitcher for the baseball team, isn't about to give up his spot on the mound. He needs to recognition from the awards to help him get to college. His whole future is riding on this and he's not going down without a fight.

Can the two pitchers share the mound and help their team or will everything go up in flames?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this feminist read. I love how Eve isn't about to take crap - even after some jocks try to bring her down. I love the banter between her and Jamie. I really liked the dual perspective of this book - it made the book pop.  While I can't say that I enjoyed reading about the sexism of baseball - I thought it was an important piece to the story. And I liked the romance! 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this feminist sports read for your school and public libraries!

Review: Coming Up For Air

* Last book in the Hundred Oaks series *

Swimming has been Maggie's focus for as long as she can remember. She spends her days swimming, eating, and sleeping. Then does it all over again the next day.  She's hoping to make the Olympic team one day.

Because of her goal, she hasn't lived the normal high school life. She hangs out with her friends at least once a week for a night out - food and laughter. But she's missed out on having boyfriends.

Now she after an incident at a party, she doesn't want to be embarrassed by her lack of experience with guys. So she asks her best friend and fellow swimmer for lessons on hooking up - which could be the best thing that ever happened to her or a complete disaster.

My Thoughts: I really love this series and I'm sad that it's over because I would keep reading it forever. But I do love how it ended, especially with the epilogue. I loved seeing favorite characters and knowing what's happened to them since we left them last.

I loved this friends to lovers story. And I love how focused both Levi and Maggie were on their swimming goals. Of course I love how much Maggie had to eat all the time. I loved their moments together and their conversations. I love how supportive they were of each other during their swim meets. 

I'm eager to read whatever Miranda Kenneally writes next. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Get this series for your library! Strong female characters with amazing sports skills, great friendship, and of course romance.