This fluff has heart.
Rapping sensation Alaya High learns to balance her rising stardom with middle school friendships.
After her dad’s video of her freestyling went viral, Alaya became famous as That Girl Lay Lay. From posting YouTube videos to recording albums, her life feels brand-new, but she’s happy she still gets to see her friends every day at school. When Lay Lay and her friends find out that developers plan to tear down the historic Hayes Theater, they are determined to find a way to save it. At the upcoming school talent show, proceeds will go to a cause voted on by students, and the winning act will perform on television. The girls plan to get everyone to vote to support the theater, then win the TV spot and use it to further publicize their cause. But their success depends on whether Lay Lay can balance her life as a star with her friendships and if her friends can brush off other kids’ comments about them being her backup dancers. Lay Lay is determined to have it all and to push her friends to shine. This lighthearted story combines the high drama of fame with realistic middle school social life, expressed with the conversational flair of a confident, trendy girl. Lay Lay’s ability to see and support her friends’ unique strengths offers a refreshing portrayal of girlhood. Lay Lay presents Black, and her friends are of various ethnicities.
This fluff has heart. (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-77961-5
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
Wholesome? Yes. Proper hard work and teamwork values in place? Yes. Paint by numbers? Oh, yes.
Olympic gold medalist Morgan runs down the celebrity-sports-fiction checklist in this series opener: New school? Check. New friends? Check. New boyfriend? Maybe! New soccer team? Check. Inspire said team to take on snooty archrival private school? Check.
Quickly shedding perfunctory initial reservations, Devin sails into seventh grade at Kentville Middle School, makes instant connections in class and at Kangaroos soccer tryouts. She meets requisite bully Mirabelle at the latter, then goes on to be elected team co-captain. After a disastrous start to the season, she helps her team’s members and even the less-than-rigorous coach land on the same winning page. Following a sleepover, a dance, team-building drills and exercises, pep rallies, minor problem-solving and motivational strategizing, Devin prods the Kangaroos into position to beat the haughty Pinewood Panthers in a climactic rematch while also schooling Mirabelle, who has jumped ship to join the rival team.
Wholesome? Yes. Proper hard work and teamwork values in place? Yes. Paint by numbers? Oh, yes. (soccer glossary) (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: May 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-8570-9
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
Although formulaic, the story’s fast pace and plot buildup will appeal to female athletes.
Team co-captain and eighth-grader Devin returns (The Kicks: Saving the Team, 2013) for another tale of soccer teamwork, this time with a little sleuthing thrown in.
The Kentville Kangaroos started off the season poorly, but they find themselves in contention for a playoff berth. This opportunity sends Devin into overdrive as she plans practices, researches drills and watches the team rankings with an eagle eye. When more than one suspicious problem occurs, all eyes turn to Mirabelle, ex-teammate and ex–best friend of one of the Kangaroos. A gym bag goes missing, a practice field reservation is cancelled, and even a fake email from the coach is sent out. The girls bring their observations to the league director, who rebuffs them. Taking matters into their own hands, the girls plan their detective work and their revenge. But will they identify the saboteur in time to focus on the playoff game? Can they even concentrate as the boys’ team comes to watch them play? Morgan’s new soccer series is wholesome and simple. She portrays the mindset of a committed young soccer player well, bringing readers in on dreams and plans.
Although formulaic, the story’s fast pace and plot buildup will appeal to female athletes. (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-8574-7
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
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