Cover:
Pitch: Teachers! Great for your summer reading list! Building upon Judy Blume's Forever, Klippel embraced the fluidity of the female body and put it into this novel, while creating a non-authoritative adolescent voice. This allows for the adolescent audience to feel more comfortable while reading. Steph, the main character, is an underclassman at Lecanto High School. She doesn't want to stick to one strict template for feminity, although her mother wants her to. This novel teaches adolescents to love their bodies and to not follow society's set guidelines for what they should and should not do with their bodies and lifestyles. With the rise of women in sports, this novel is needed to remind young women that they can be both strong and beautiful, without having to choose between the two. This is told by the simple dichotomy of Steph's choice between focusing on the homecoming dance versus getting on the varsity wrestling team. The use of parental pressures is something that will be both relatable and realistic for adolescent readers. Another facet of adolescent situations Klippel addresses is sexual identity. Though this isn't the main plot of the novel, Steph begins to discover her romantic and sexual interests. This novel would be a great addition to any LGBTIA readings you may have already included in your list. All in all, check out Steph. at your local library, purchase it at your local bookstore, and be sure to order in bulk in case you want to incorporate the novel into your lesson planning for the school year!
Back cover summary: Steph Cantlie, a fifteen year old at Lecanto High School, is excited for wearing both her homecoming dress and her wrestling leotard for this fall semester. She has been training hard all summer with the help of Ben, Nina, and TJ, her best friends. But when her mother begins to shame her physique and lifestyle choices, Steph begins to feel as if she has to choose between the homecoming dance and a sweaty wrestling mat. Her decision-making process is even more complex as she soon finds out that one of her best friends has hidden feelings for her since middle school. What will Steph choose? Will she be able to address her own feelings that she has been hiding?
Excerpt: "'Good form!' said Nina as Steph tackled the dummy in her step-dad's musty garage. Nina watched in admiration as Steph walked toward the mini-fridge to grab a Gatorade. 'I'm so proud of you. Coach Reynolds would be crazy if she didn't choose you.' Steph just nodded and smirked, too tired to audibly respond. She suddenly became self-conscious of the sweat dribbling down her neck and collecting into a huge spot on her sports bra. 'Thanks everyone! For everything, dudes.' She smiled in appreciation at all her friends, now surrounding her with the fanning of last week's newspaper. As TJ walked into the house to get her a new towel, someone felt a pang of jealousy as they watched Steph's eyes follow his form sauntering away.'
This is excellent. I actually wanna read this. Can you please write this book, yes? Thank you. ^_^
ReplyDeleteHi Kelena,
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting and convincing pitch for a new YA novel. My favorite detail is TJ's character description with his tendency to take too many Buzzfeed quizzes. I like that this novel plays with a familiar adolescent trope--the Tomboy--while it also breaks some of the stereotypical associations of that trope. Steph is a girl that can do both.