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In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, shop our limited-time sale on bestselling audiobooks from April 22nd-28th. Don’t miss out—purchases support your local bookstore!
Shop nowThe Tryout: A Graphic Novel
Length
2 hours 8 minutes
Language
English
Narrators
Grace Li, Vaneh Assadourian, Marcha Kia, Ashley Austin Morris & Brian Sounalath
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreSTAND TALL.
BE LOUD.
GAME FACE ON.
This pitch perfect graphic memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging is perfect for fans of Smile, New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends.
"A captivating middle-grade gem." - The New York Times Book Review
★ "Funny, relatable, and genuine." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Captures every nuanced emotion." - School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Genuinely nail-biting." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Cringe-worthy in the best possible way...inspiring and insightful." - Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Delightfully expressive...a standout." - Booklist
When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and her best friend, Megan, literally jump at the chance to join the squad. As two of the only kids of color in the school, they have always yearned to fit in-and the middle school cheerleaders are popular and accepted by everyone. But will the girls survive the terrifying tryouts, with their whole grade watching? And will their friendship withstand the pressures of competition?
Hilarious and highly relatable, The Tryout by two-time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat and shining new talent Joanna Cacao will make you laugh, cry, and cheer!
Christina Soontornvat is a three-time Newbery Honoree, a Sibert Honoree, and a Kirkus Prize winner. Her highly acclaimed backlist includes the middle grade books The Tryout, The Last Mapmaker, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen; the picture book To Change a Planet; and the chapter book series Diary of an Ice Princess and Legends of Lotus Island. Christina lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. You can learn more about her work at soontornvat.com.
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Reviews
"The plot alone is enough to keep young readers flipping the pages. (I held my breath when the final roster of cheerleaders was announced.) But like all good books about growing pains, this captivating middle-grade gem contains many moments that will resonate with young and old alike." - The New York Times Book Review
★ "This superlative graphic memoir is a funny, relatable, and genuine story of friendship and belonging. . . . The jokes, daydreams, and quips are delightful without overshadowing or diminishing the impact of [Christina's] experiences with racism and exclusion. The attractive, expressive illustrations feature clean lines and bright colors. A funny, painfully honest look at a middle schooler finding her way." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Soontornvat's lived and emotional experiences come through loud and clear....Cacao's manga-inspired artwork captures every nuanced emotion. . . . Readers of this empowering graphic memoir will want to invite Christina to sit at their table to share food, stories, and the secrets to self-confidence." - School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Soontornvat's denouement is genuinely nail-biting, and the girls' earnest love for cheerleading is infectious, despite their experiences with outward prejudice. Via emotive close-ups, Cacao confidently conveys the girls' persistence, fluidly injecting their athletic pursuits with lively energy using bright color palettes and varied character design." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Soontornvat's memoir is cringe-worthy in the best possible way. . . . brought to life with gorgeous illustration from self-taught comic artist Joanna Cacao. . . . The Tryout is an inspiring and insightful graphic memoir for anyone who simply wants to fit in." - Shelf Awareness, starred review
"The art is delightfully expressive, and the characters' personalities shine in each panel. A standout addition to any graphic autobiography collection." - Booklist
"The Tryout beautifully captures the struggles and pressures of wanting to fit in. As a fellow Thai-American, Christina brought a tear to my eye." - Dan Santat, New York Times bestselling creator of The Aquanaut