Kenzie Kickstarts a Team

January 20, 2020
In Austin, Tex., fifth grade best friends Kenzie and Shelly can’t wait to try out for the newly formed Junior Derby League, but to guarantee that they’ll end up on the same team, they have to create a new crew of five skaters in a week. Somehow, they manage to recruit three other girls, none of whom skates well or knows anything about roller derby. Shelly suggests enlisting expert skateboarder Bree, Kenzie’s neighbor and secret crush. With Shelly becoming close to teammate Tomoko, a shy classmate with impressive basketball skills, and Kenzie’s unintentional revelation that she likes Bree, Kenzie feels unprepared for the upcoming tryouts and the changes rolling quickly her way. Through a third-person narrative, this relatable, empathic series debut introduces readers to the fast-paced sport of roller derby and hints at interesting backstories for Kenzie’s teammates—Tomoko, for instance, is withdrawn unless competing—likely setting up plenty of challenges for this underdog team to overcome in future installments. Kenzie’s transgender dad is rendered incidentally, and black-and-white drawings by Escabasse depict various scenes and highlight the inclusive character group. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Lauren Spieller, TriadaUS Literary. Ilustrator’s agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary.

March 6, 2020

Gr 3-7-Set in the world of roller derby in Austin, fifth-graders Kenzie and Shelley are two derby-obsessed best friends who call themselves the Dynamic Duo. When they find out there will be a city junior league, the Duo sets out to recruit three other girls for their squad. Along the way they meet shy Tomoko, who loves basketball; excitable Jules, who is eager to join; Camila, who is timid and reluctant; and skateboarder Bree, who Kenzie is still unsure about. Kenzie feels weird emotions around Bree that she can't categorize. In her wonderful debut, Rosewater gives readers a look into the world of roller derby and what it entails, while depicting a relatable story of shifting young friendships. Escabasse's grayscale illustrations capture the animated and feverish elements of the derby, as well as the characters' expressions and reactions. The cast of characters is diverse; Kenzie's father is trans, and the subject is discussed openly and frankly but without fanfare. VERDICT A great addition to juvenile sports fiction for school and public libraries. Perfect for fans of Victoria Jamieson's Roller Girl, and readers seeking stories about sports-loving girls supporting each other.-Annmarie Braithwaite, New York Public Library

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
The first in an illustrated middle-grade series about growing up--and roller derby. Fifth graders and best friends Kenzie and Shelly have always done everything together. They also share the same dream: to be on the same roller derby team. It's only 2,000 days until they turn 15 and can join the local "wreck" league. But when tryouts for a new junior league are announced, the girls no longer have to wait. The catch: if "Kenzilla" and "Bomb Shell" want to be on the same team, they need to try out as a team. The Dynamic Duo must find a way to expand to a fivesome, and introvert Kenzie will need to accept that she must share outgoing Shelly with new people. The third-person limited narration sympathetically conveys Kenzie's struggle. The derby scenes are fast-paced and fun to read, with clearly explained rules; readers who hope for the further support of a glossary will be disappointed, however. Expressive black-and-white graphic novel-style illustrations show wide diversity among classmates and derby members. Kenzie and Shelly are white; new teammate and basketball player Tomoko is Asian and larger than the other girls; skateboarder and Kenzie's crush, Bree, is black and wears her hair in locs; and a third, shy Camila, is implied Latinx. Kenzie's dad is trans, a fact that is incidental to the story. A lighthearted celebration of life, friendship, and rolling with the punches. (Fiction. 8-12)

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Starred review from December 1, 2019
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Kenzie and Shelly, or as they're known on the derby track, Kenzilla and Bomb Shell, are elated when they learn their town will start having youth derby leagues. They plan to try out with a team so they can stay together, but each has a different idea of how things will go. Kenzie thinks they'll be the usual dynamic duo with a few extra people, while Shelly is embracing the opportunity to make new friends. Ultimately, they bring together the best team of tough girls who need just the right push to be superstars on skates. For readers who loved Victoria Jamieson's Roller Girl (2015) or Molly Hurford's Shred Girls series, this a great pick about fierce young ladies coming together though sports. The book has loads of action and plenty of heart, running with themes of friendship, being a good communicator, dealing with jealousy, and even a little sprinkle of how it feels to have a crush on someone you think is just the coolest person ever. Memorable characters and frequent illustrations bring the story to life and will make anyone want to get their derby on.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)