The Tryout

Christina Soontornvat, Illustr. Joanna Cacao
37 pages1-hour read
Nonfiction
Graphic Memoir
Middle Grade
Published in 2022

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Book Brief

Christina Soontornvat, Illustr. Joanna Cacao

The Tryout

Nonfiction | Graphic Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Graphic Memoir • Nonfiction

Genre
Children`s Literature

•

Realistic Fiction

•

Biography
Setting

Texas • 1990s

Theme
Friendship

•

Emotions/Behavior: Courage

•

Teamwork
Topic
Sports

•

Race & Racism

•

Bullying
First Publication Year

2022

Publisher

Graphix

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

GN360L

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Super Short Summary

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna Cacao, follows Christina, a young girl navigating middle school while chasing her dream of joining the cheerleading team. Christina faces cultural identity challenges and friendship dynamics, ultimately teaching readers about resilience and self-acceptance in a diverse community setting.

Contemplative

Inspirational

Emotional

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

9,123 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna Cacao, is praised for its engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations. Readers appreciate the relatable characters and themes of friendship and self-discovery. Some critiques mention a predictable plot, but overall, it is celebrated as a heartfelt and insightful graphic novel for young readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Tryout?

A reader who enjoys The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna Cacao, would likely appreciate stories about friendship, identity, and resilience, such as those found in Raina Telgemeier's Smile or Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward. This middle-grade novel blends humor and heart, perfect for fans of graphic novels exploring personal growth.

4.3

9,123 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Key Figures

Christina is a seventh-grade student navigating feelings of being out of place and overwhelmed, who tries out for cheerleading in a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Megan is Christina's best friend, sharing a unique bond with her due to their similar backgrounds, who also tries out for cheerleading and navigates the challenges of middle school friendships.

Christina's parents serve as consistent pillars of support, with her mixed heritage contributing to her identity and personal journey, as her father runs a locally unique Chinese-style restaurant.

Tobin is a classmate of Christina's known for bullying and making racist remarks, which challenges Christina to find confidence and resilience in the face of adversity.

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Graphic Memoir • Nonfiction

Genre
Children`s Literature

•

Realistic Fiction

•

Biography
Setting

Texas • 1990s

Theme
Friendship

•

Emotions/Behavior: Courage

•

Teamwork
Topic
Sports

•

Race & Racism

•

Bullying
First Publication Year

2022

Publisher

Graphix

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

GN360L

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