Navigating high school isn't easy for Melinda Radford. She’s the lone girl on the Ashton High wrestling team, grappling with opponents who refuse to compete against her, a few who want to crush her, and a coach who's less-than-pleased having a female in his practice room. At home, Mel’s parents forbid her from seeing her new boyfriend, her grandmother insists she start preparing for her future by taking a dreary office internship, and her infuriating older brother, who’s the varsity team captain, flirts with her best friend, Jade. Just when it seems things can't get any more complicated, an off-handed comment puts Mel at odds with her teammates, her brother, and, worst of all, her coach. But through a twist of tragedy and fate, Mel is given an unexpected opportunity to accomplish something no girl in her school's history has ever done—something that just may redeem herself in the eyes of her detractors. But is she strong enough to handle the pressure?
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"it was an inspiring story i hesitated when i chose it because i wasn't a fan of wrestling but it's not about it at all it's about the circumstances she has to deal with in order to achieve her dream of being a the first JV female wrestler at her high school." — Israa (5 out of 5 stars)
"it was an inspiring story i hesitated when i chose it because i wasn't a fan of wrestling but it's not about it at all it's about the circumstances she has to deal with in order to achieve her dream of being a the first JV female wrestler at her high school."
“The protagonist has an authentic voice, and readers will empathize with her isolation throughout the school day. Some may gloss over the detailed wrestling descriptions, but the romance and other aspects of Melinda's life will strike a chord with girls, even those who don't participate in athletics.”
“Though wrestling is the heart of the tale, Martino wisely resists heavy-handed and inspirational sports metaphors, letting Mel's actions speak for themselves. There's always a need for more sports stories for girls, and this is a solid addition to the genre.”
" Not only a great book about wrestling but really explores the subtle ways in which girls face discrimination in athletics. Good YA read that encourages girls to pursue their aspirations. "
" A teenage feminist hero is the hero of this book; hardly depth psychology but you delve into the heroines shoes, that is sneakers, or athletic shoes "
" This is an amazing tale of a girl trying to find her place in an all-guys sport. It is a really motivating story and a great read. "
Alfred C. Martino is the acclaimed author of young adult novels, including the Jr. Library Guild Selection and Best Books For Young Adults nominee, Pinned. Amateur wrestling has been a part of his life for over thirty-five years. He has competed on the midget, junior high, high school, and collegiate levels, as well as coached Millburn’s youth program for nearly a decade. He is a graduate of Duke University and the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He currently lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Jen Taylor is a voice actress best known for her role as Cortana in various Halo games and as Zoey in Left 4 Dead. In addition to her voice-over work, Taylor is also an accomplished stage actress and has appeared in a number of films and television series.
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