Awards
Winner of the 2017 Young Reader's Choice Award
Staff Pick
A funny and relatable story about the pains of growing up. Astrid and her best friend Nicole have been inseparable for years, and when Astrid decides to go to roller derby camp in the summer, she assumes that Nicole will want to as well. She wasn't expecting Nicole to go to dance camp instead, so Astrid sets out alone on a journey of skating, hair dying, colorful socks, new names, and most importantly, self-discovery and persistence. This book is also set in Portland (we have an awesome roller derby scene), so you might recognize some familiar places and names! Recommended By Brianna B., Powells.com
Real roller derby girl Victoria Jamieson presents this fantastic graphic novel about 12-year-old Astrid, who has fallen in love with roller derby and enrolled in junior derby camp at Portland's own Oaks Park. This is a wonderfully heartfelt story of evolving friendships, personal growth, and the world of Portland's Rose City Rollers. Recommended By Kim T., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
For fans of Raina Telgemeier's
Smile, a heartwarming graphic novel about friendship and surviving junior high through the power of roller derby.
For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school — in short, strong enough to be a roller girl.
In her graphic novel debut, real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson has created an inspiring coming-of-age story about friendship, perseverance, and girl power!
Review
"Jamieson captures this snapshot of preteen angst with a keenly decisive eye, brilliantly juxtaposing the nuances of roller derby with the twists and turns of adolescent girls' friendships....Full of charm and moxie." Kirkus (Starred Review)
Review
“The story will engage readers.…Offer this comic to fans of Telgemeier's Smile and Laura Lee Gulledge's Page by Paige.” School Library Journal (Starred Review)
About the Author
Victoria Jamieson received her BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and worked as a children's book designer before becoming a full-time illustrator. She has also worked as a portrait artist aboard a cruise ship, and has lived in Australia, Italy, and Canada. She now lives with her family in Portland, Oregon, where she maintains a not-so-secret identity as Winnie the Pow, skater with the Rose City Rollers roller derby league.