The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team
(The Derby Daredevils Book #1)
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
A highly illustrated middle-grade series that celebrates new friendships, first crushes, and getting out of your comfort zone—now in paperback
Ever since they can remember, fifth graders Kenzie (aka Kenzilla) and Shelly (aka Bomb Shell) have dreamed of becoming roller derby superstars. When Austin’s city league introduces a brand-new junior league, the dynamic duo celebrates! But they’ll need to try out as a five-person team. Kenzie and Shelly have just one week to convince three other girls that roller derby is the coolest thing on wheels. But Kenzie starts to have second thoughts when Shelly starts acting like everyone’s best friend . . . Isn’t she supposed to be Kenzie’s best friend? And things get really awkward when Shelly recruits Kenzie’s neighbor (and secret crush!) for the team. With lots of humor and an authentic middle-grade voice, book one of this illustrated series follows Kenzie, Shelly, and the rest of the Derby Daredevils as they learn how to fall—and get back up again.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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fast-paced sport of roller derby and hints at interesting backstories for Kenzie's teammates Tomoko, for instance, is withdrawn unless competing likely setting up plenty of challenges for this underdog team to overcome in future installments.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.
