Book Review: The Tryout

 


1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Soontornvat, C., Cacao, J., Post, J., Cacao, J., & Lafrenais, A. (2022). The tryout. Scholastic Australia. ISBN: 1338741268

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This graphic novel is written as an autobiography about Christina as a seventh grader who along with her friend Megan, decide to try out for the cheer squad.  This novel begins with a prelude to the moment right before Christina is about to take the stage for her audition in front of the entire student body. From there, the author starts chapter one with 6 months before tryouts.  At this school, tryouts are a two-step process that involve a first round some judges and in the second round, they perform in front of the school who then votes on who makes the team. During the process, the girls decide to pair up with different girls as they get ready for their tryout.  As expected the girls encounter some challenges but eventually get through the terrifying experience of performing in front of their classmates.  

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is a must have! Soontornvat brilliantly took me back to my first day of middle of school. From riding in the car with my mom and hearing her advise for the first day of school, to looking through my class schedule and observing all the eighth graders around me. The story is written beautifully and details the experiences and adventures in middle school. Soontornvat also does a great job of including internal dialogue within her writing to help readers understand just how Christina is feeling. Although this story is written based on Soontornvat’s personal experience during her middle school cheerleading tryouts, the story’s plot gives readers more of a fictional feel. This story explores a lot of different topics and ideas that students face when they start middle school. I can’t say this enough, I really felt this story was relatable and can help prep young readers on what to expect when they start middle school. Funny, this book takes place in the 90’s and from what students have shared with me, middle school hasn’t changed all that much. Young readers will really enjoy this story!

The illustrations in this graphic novel are fantastic! They help develop each character and help readers see and understand how the characters are feeling throughout the story. Cacao captures the essence of middle school perfectly through her illustrations.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Genuinely nail-biting.”

Starred review in Booklist: “Delightfully expressive…a standout.”

Starred review in Kirkus: “Funny, relatable, and genuine.”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “Captures every nuanced emotion.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Have students engage in a think/pair/share about their experience during a tryout. Students should think about a time when they tried out for something, they should talk to their group about different experiences, and then have them share out with the rest of the class.

*Have students write an acrostic poem using their name like the one Christina wrote at the beginning of the story. When done, have students present their acrostic poem to the class.

*Other books related to cheerleading/friendship.

Kendrick, E. J. (2021). Squad goals. Little, Brown and Company. ISBN: 0316427144

McCoy, M. (2007). The accidental cheerleader. Scholastic. ISBN: 043989056X

 Book review completed for SHSU MLA course. 

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