Middle Grade Review: Crushing It

 

Mel's the captain of her soccer team - and they are so close to going back to the championship game. Last year, they lost the game. It crushed Mel. She's not sure why the team made her Captain this year, but as the games get more intense, the team starts falling apart. It's up to Mel to get them back on track. But there's a lot going on with her team.

Tory's having a hard time at home. Her mother's remarried and barely has any time for her. Just when Tory thinks she's found an ally in her step-brother, he joins the Army. And she's crushing over a girl she met online. 

Tory's not one to share her feelings and it's clear something is very wrong with her. Her best friend Chloe is frustrated that Tory won't talk to her. 

Mel's having trouble with her best friend Rima. Rima's running for student-body President and she doesn't have time for Mel. She's so focused on the election that she doesn't see that Mel is struggling. Mel also doesn't like some comments Rima's been making about her lately. Is there a reason they are still friends?

Will all the drama off the field, can they come together on the field?

My Thoughts: This debut crushed it! There's so much in this sports book: all the DRAMA (friendship, family, romance, and school), a little romance, poetry, and public speaking. I didn't want this to end. Middle school friendships are hard, and this book captured all of it. I loved the sports parts and the question of what makes a good captain. I love how everything turned out. Looking forward to whatever Erin Becker writes next! 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have sports book for your school and public library collection.