Review: Break the Fall

Audrey Lee's dream came true - she's going to the Olympics! She can't believe it - and she's going with her best friend Emma. The two of them have been working towards this goal forever. She just hopes her back will be strong enough to last through the last little bit of her competitive life.

But everything changes on the first day of training camp. The FBI swarms the building and her coach is taken away in handcuffs. Now everything is up in the air and rumors are swirling.

Audrey's supposed to keep her head in the game, but how can she when everything is happening? Her teammates don't support each other. Audrey's not sure what to believe about her coach, but she starts to understand the signs. Her new coach isn't letting the girls practice as much as they would be. And she's falling for a boy who is off limits.

With a month left until the biggest days of her life, how is she supposed to hold it all together and bring home the gold medal she's been working towards her entire life?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book; I couldn't put it down. It gave me the biggest book hangover. I'm a huge fan of gymnastics, so I loved reading about this sport (especially at such a high level). I loved the teamwork and the sisterhood - even though not all teammates were supportive. I loved the story how they came together. I loved Audrey's determination, her strength, and her ability to focus. My heart broke for the girls as I read about the abuse at the hands of their coach. I love how that wasn't glossed over but everything happened off page.  I loved the reality of the ending. I adore the eyeshadow part. I can't wait to read more from Jennifer Iacopelli!

Cover Thoughts: Awesome - I love the chalk
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library.

If You Like:

Mini Review: Courage to Soar

Simone Biles's story from discovering gymnastics to earning a spot of the Olympic team and winning Gold.

The Good:
I loved learning about the good days and bad days
The struggles to learn a certain move
The gymnastic people she met along the way
Her family life
The strength and commitment it took to maker her dreams come true.
One dream at a time
Her work ethic
Knowing her family was behind her.

The Bad:
Just a nitpicking thing - but the financial obligation to the sport wasn't talked about.

Final Thoughts: A wonderful book about going after your dreams and achieving them. Grab this one for your school or public library to inspire others. 

Mini Review: The Flip Side

Charlie Ryland wants it all - and she's willing to go to great lengths to keep her two identities secret for as long as possible. Sooner or later the truth will come out about who Charlotte really is, but Charlie's hoping that will happen on her terms and after she qualifies for the Olympic gymnastics team.

The Good:
I didn't want to put this book down, I read it over two nights and stayed up late the second night to finish it.

• I loved the double lives - the double friends.
• I loved the moments when they crossed over
• I loved the training moments
• I loved the moments between Charlie and her brother
• I loved the secret
• I loved how hard Charlie/Charlotte pushed herself, even when life seemed to be spinning out of control.
• I loved the student government angle
• I didn't like the speical treatment, but course it happens and I like how Charlie handled it.

The Bad:
There were a few places where the editing could have been a little tighter. A few times I was jarred out of the story.

Final Thoughts: Great for your gymnastic loving fans, or readers who wish to be famous, or anyone getting pumped up for their own sporting event.

Cover Thoughts: I actually really like this cover (especially the guy with the book) but it doesn't match any scene in the book, which saddens me. I almost wish there was an addition scene based on it!

Library Recommendation: Grab it for your library!

I wrote a little bit about it on the teen library blog