Roller Girl

Roller Girl

by Victoria Jamieson



Middle grade novels with girl protagonists who are authentic and not not stereotypical are on the rise. And what's more? Middle grade graphic novels with girl protagonists is on the rise as well with quite a few of them being memoirs of sorts -- like Smile, Sisters, El Deafo, and now Roller Girl.

What happens when two BFFs don't like the same thing? And, what happens when one likes this thing too much and the other doesn't? Can they still feel the close kinship? Can they be there for each other even if they don't see themselves doing things together? How do you unfriend your BFF, and should you have to?

Twelve year olds, Astrid and Nicole, find themselves in this strange land of limbo one summer when they realize they are growing apart. A trip to the roller derby reveals more than their respective interest in this sport. While Astrid is gung-ho about roller derby and signs up for camp, Nicole prefers her ballet and would rather not venture into roller derby with Astrid.

Things start getting complicated when Astrid makes new friends with her roller derby cohorts and Nicole hangs out with her ballet clique. The ins and outs of friendships during adolescence is explored with a keen understanding, especially since Astrid is not particularly good at roller derby and she has to work very hard to master basic skills.

With the intense backdrop of adrenaline-pumping high-energy sport of roller derby (which I have only read about and never witnessed in person), the author deftly explores every facet and dynamics of friendship among pre-teens with acute depth and honesty.

According to the resident ten year old: Astrid was overreacting quite a bit and was blowing things out of proportion and complicating her life. Nicole wasn't being mean and till then Nicole and Astrid did whatever Astrid wanted to do, but when Nicole wanted Nicole and Astrid to do what Nicole wanted, Astrid didn't want to . Why did Astrid dye her hair without permission, she could've just asked her mom? But Astrid doesn't make friends easily so she probably feels bad about losing Nicole's friendship. In the end,  things work out for Astrid anyway.

As a skater with Rose City Rollers in Portland, OR, Ms. Jamieson has chronicled her adventures at Roller Derby Comics. The book draws from her personal experiences which explains how rich and powerful the moments are when we see it through Astrid: her excitement, self-doubt, frustration, determination, and commitment all ring so very true in this coming-of-age style story.

The illustrations are bright and colorful with lots of action. We loved El Deafo, Smile, and Sisters, and now the ten year old and I are just bowled over by this starkly candid story which has a satisfying ending, even if not the happily-ever-after kind.

Free eBook on the Making of Roller Girl

Look Inside the book at Penguin Random House

[image source: author Jamieson's website]

Unlikely Friendships, a Valentine's Day celebration

What does friendship mean to you, Oggie?
Hug my Mommy!

Periodically, I ask my kids, "What does friendship mean to you?", "How can you be a friend?", "What do  friends do?", "Who is your friend?"

I get different answers each time, factoring in their age/development.

I ask myself the same questions and have found my answers evolving over time.

As Fred Rogers of Mr.Rogers' Neighborhood said, "When people like each other and like to do things together, they're friends." Of course, friends don't have to do things together all the time, and they don't have to like the same things. "Good friends can make each other laugh or smile; and try to make each other feel better."

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I asked our Saffron Tree family to share their favorite books on friends and friendship and their picks were unique and diverse.

While on the subject, unlikely friendships appeal to me. 'Unlikely' is rather relative and quite subjective. In the most positive and generic sense of the word, when two polar opposite personalities come together and manage to establish a bond that stands the test of time, it is indeed heart-warming and reassuring.

Toot & Puddle books
by Holly Hobbie

Ages 3+

Holly Hobbie has created two endearing pigs in Toot & Puddle.

Puddle is a homebody who enjoys cooking and gardening. Toot loves the outdoors and seeks out new adventures.

Opal, their cousin, is a lovely little pig who makes an appearance on and off in the stories, plus takes center-stage in The One and Only, Charming Opal, The New Friend.

There are many Toot and Puddle books and quite a number of them have managed to amuse and entertain  the kids in residence. (And hopefully illustrate the finer points of friendship.) I still remember the first one that Nana gave us for Ana's first Christmas: I'll be Home for Christmas.

As an adult reading the books, I liked the way their personalities show through Hobbie's elegant characterization. The first few books made me ponder on the sort of relationship Toot and Puddle have, the easy comfort with which they are present in each others' lives, the unspoken commitment they have to each other, the care and respect they show for each other, the support and encouragement they provide for each others' pursuits... my conditioned adult mind could not help wonder if they are a couple... no matter.

The stories are endearing and sweet, some offering kid-centric situations without patronizing. The settings are idyllic yet feel quite real.

The illustrations are charming and humorous. The gorgeous watercolors are priceless. The half a dozen Toot & Puddle (& Opal) books on our bookshelf has given me many hours of joy just gazing at the exquisite and lively illustrations by a master at her craft. And many wonderful read-alouds with the kids.

Other such "unlikely" friendships that the kids have enjoyed at home, shared here earlier:

Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed

Ivy+Bean by Annie Barrows

[image source: goodreads.com]

A Visitor for Bear

[cross-posted at Saffron Tree]

A Visitor for Bear
by Bonny Becker
Illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton
Read Together Ages: 3-6


Author Bonny Becker's statement on the book flap aroused my curiosity: "I hesitate to admit how much Bear is in me, but I'm grateful for every lovely mouse in my life".

As I leafed through the pages, I was attracted to the delicately refined watercolor illustrations by one of Canada's foremost illustrators, Ms. Denton, wherein subtle body language and facial expressions convey the emotions and story just as much as the crisp and precise text.

No one ever came to Bear's house.
It has always been that way,
and Bear was quite sure he didn't like visitors.
He even had a sign.

Reclusive Bear doesn't like to encourage visitors. He has a sign on his door that says, "NO Visitors Allowed" to keep gregarious company away. He seems content with his solitary life, conducting his daily activities with measured precision that comes more out of habit than a desire to be exact.

It is almost comical to see this hulking Bear prepare for breakfast in a rather dainty way, with his little apron out and ready. That's when the story starts to unfold: Bear hears a tap tap tapping on the door, and not expecting his sign to be disregarded, Bear opens the door with a mixture of caution and apprehension to find a mouse "small and gray and bright-eyed" without.

Bear categorically states "Go Away" pointing to his sign on the door. The mouse seems to understand and leave quietly.

Bear then sets out one spoon and one cup for himself, almost ritualistically. When he opens the cupboard to get one bowl...
there was the mouse! Small and gray and bright-eyed.



I told you to leave!, Bear cries.
Perhaps we could have a spot of tea, ventures the mouse.

Bear shows him to the door and shuts it firmly.

However, Bear's ennui progressively escalates as he finds the persistent mouse popping up at all odd places in his house when he has clearly shooed him away, even gone so far as to lock the door, board the windows, stopper the chimney and plug up the drain.

The clever use of varying font sizes of the text for emphasis makes it almost impossible to read it aloud in a quiet monotone. Also, the author has given distinct voices for Bear and the mouse which makes it fun to read aloud. The mouse speaks in a polite and clipped tone, "Terribly sorry... Now you see me; now you don't. I am gone." Curmudgeonly Bear sounds gruff saying, "Away with you! Vamoose!" in a finicky yet comical way.

The illustration accompanying Bear roaring, "BEGONE!" is superb, with the mouse huddling in the background in the fridge where Bear least expects him while Bear is frozen in action mid-air theatrically.

Completely confounded, at the height of his frustration, Bear declares,
I give up. You win. I am undone.

When the mouse suggests having a cup of tea, perhaps a bit of cheese, and maybe a nice warm fire, Bear relents reluctantly. But then you must go, he says. You have my word, assures the mouse.

Bear sets out tea and cheese and a nice warm fire for two sets of toes. During the course of tea, enjoyed in relative silence, Bear clears his throat as if to speak. The mouse looks most attentive, surprising Bear, as no one had ever been attentive to him before. Slowly they warm up to each other. The mouse proves to be pleasant company and they end up laughing over Bear's joke.

When the mouse sets down his teacup, Bear quickly tries to refill it as a polite host. So sorry. Most Kind, but I must be on my way, says the mouse getting up to go.

What happens next is the beginnings of a beautiful friendship that is best left to the author and illustrator to share with you.

This heart-warming tale is a reminder to kids and adults alike that some days, we just want to be alone like Bear and we do all we can to discourage company. But, at times, when we follow the lead of the persistent mouse and reach out, undeterred, we might just be surprised by the rewards.

Ana points out at the initial pages how Bear is "not nice at all". "Why does he want the mouse to go away?" she wonders at the beginning. Then, she notices how Bear and the mouse are having fun together, laughing and joking. And, towards the end, "Why does he not want the mouse to go away now?" she asks. Only a satisfactory explanation about friendship and sharing seems to settle her back down for bed. Every time we read it.

A definite winner, this book, for adults and kids alike. I can't wait to read it to Oggie in a couple of years...

Listen to NPR Audio Clip about A Visitor for Bear.

Runcible Bonds

“Your turn now, Sheela. Ready? Clear your mind of negativities. Focus on what you want to change in your life. Concentrate on the Infinite. Here we go…”

…

“What’s wrong, Auntie? What are you reading in the hexagrams? I-Ching doesn’t do anything bad, right?”
“There is a big change, a transition, for the good… you will embark on it soon, Sheela. Pursue it with sincerity. Don’t doubt your worth.”
“OK, Auntie… what sort of change?”
“I can’t tell you much more now.”

“Can we do the tarot cards now, Auntie?”
Auntie willingly obliges; and with the chosen cards spread in a Celtic Cross she starts reading…
“You will fall in love and get married, you will not find your soul-mate in the matches your parents are seeking to set up for you.”
“Oh Auntie! Come on! That is true of every girl here… you are just playing with our dreams”
“No, Sheela. R here just had hers read, and she can tell you that her cards strongly indicate an arranged match. That is how she will meet her soul-mate.”
“Aww... nevermind Auntie, stop teasing us. How about my career and studies?”
“You will move away, you do have a big change coming your way… meet it and embrace it, don’t fight it.”

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