The Winning Team

March 5, 2012
Olympic gold medalist Moceanu pairs up with Thompson (Psyche Major Syndrome) for this first book in the Go-for-Gold Gymnasts series. When 12-year-old Britt and her parents relocate from Ohio to Texas so that she can train at an elite gymnastics facility, she is both apprehensive about the move and excited about belonging to a team. But fitting in with her teammates isn’t easy. That Britt isn’t entirely portrayed as an innocent victim who’s snubbed as an outsider enhances the story’s authenticity. She isn’t blameless: she’s prone to hurtful gaffes, and her attempts at humor often misfire. Trying to do the right thing, she further alienates her peers when she breaks a teammate’s confidence. Britt’s repeated identification with characters from To Kill a Mockingbird (which she’s reading with her grandmother, who homeschools her) are sometimes forced. But her longing to belong and loneliness—amplified by Britt’s mother’s preoccupation with work—are moving. Gymnasts will appreciate the insider language and details drawn from Moceanu’s knowledge and experience. Simultaneously available: Balancing Act. Ages 10–14. Agent: Laura Langlie, Laura Langlie Agency.

March 15, 2012
Finally, young female gymnasts have a book to call their own in this first title in The Go-for-Gold Gymnasts series, co-authored by Olympic gold medalist Moceanu. Having recently achieved Junior Elite status, Brittany Morgan (who's 12 but looks like a 9-year-old) and her family uproot from Ohio to Austin, Texas, so Brittany can train with the prestigious Texas Twisters and continue her path to the Olympics. The overconfident, homeschooled girl's biggest chance to make new friends is with fellow trainees Christina, Noelle and Jessie, but somehow she keeps putting her foot in her mouth rather than solidly on the beam before her. She tries to temper her impulsivity in the face of Christina's insecurities and Jessie's possible eating disorder. The pedestrian, first-person narration's self-comparisons to Boo Radley will probably be lost on most in this audience, who are unlikely to have read To Kill a Mockingbird. In a predictable ending, Brittany realizes the true meaning and spirit of teamwork and brings her renewed enthusiasm to the rest of the Texas Twisters. This insider's view gives an interesting perspective on gymnasts' lives, from their grueling work schedule and training methods to risk of injuries and even superstitious obsessions, but don't expect any winning medals. (Fiction. 10-12)

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May 1, 2012

Gr 4-8-In this new series, 12-year-old Brittany and her parents move from Ohio to Austin, TX, so that she can join an elite gymnastics training program. Problems arise when she tries to fit in with her three new teammates: Jessie, the friendliest until Britt blabs her suspicions about Jessie's bulimia; Christina, the best gymnast, who dislikes the new girl and the new competition; and Noelle, a total Christina-follower. There's plenty of preteen angst to keep the plot thickening, and the authors skillfully include plenty of facts about the sport. However, the vocabulary-especially in the dialogue among the girls-seems way too difficult and improbable for 12-year-olds-e.g., "heinous," "archnemesis," "livid," "celebratory," "conspiring." A recurring theme in which homeschooled Brittany compares herself to Boo Radley and her situation to his in To Kill a Mockingbird seems totally wrong. It appears to be a failed attempt to lend some literary value to an otherwise rather lightweight book. With a dearth of good sports fiction on this subject aimed at middle-grade girls, this one is acceptable even with its drawbacks. It will no doubt be a popular choice for the intended audience.-Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

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