Roller Girl

This is one of the first graphic novels I ever read, and I couldn’t stop laughing. The story is fun, and it’s the perfect example of a girl staying true to who she is while realizing that sometimes people change and friends grow apart as they grow up. I loved that I got to learn a new sport while enjoying this coming-of-age story. 

Your kids may have no idea what roller derby is (I didn’t), but I guarantee they’ll love reading about this tough, fast, aggressive sport, with its creative, counter-cultural vibe. Just about every character is a girl or a woman, and as the mother of boys I’m so happy to see them reading a book like this. The main character, Astrid, is sweet but strong, with a tetchy, vulnerable style of middle school humor. She suffers through friendship issues kids will identify with, and deals with them in some fantastic ways: you’ll love her decision to brave her mother’s fury and… show more.