Mighty Millie Novak

by Elizabeth Holden

Overview

Social anxiety, her parents’ divorce, and messy friendships won’t stop Millie’s pursuit of what she wants—in roller derby or in love. But her own lies might . . .

Sixteen-year-old Millie Novak is stuck in an “if only” rut. If only she were stronger and faster, maybe her roller derby teammates would take her seriously. If only she had the guts to go back to in-person learning, maybe she’d have a social life. If only she weren't such an awkward mess, maybe she could get the attention of that cute girl on the all-star derby team. And don’t get her started on her family!

After the one-two punch of her beloved older brother’s departure for college and her parents’ overdue split, Millie decides it’s time to reinvent herself. With the help of her new friend Pumpkin and a little bit of deceit, Millie crafts a plan to cement her status on the team and get her crush to fall for her.

But reinvention isn’t easy. Millie’s constantly shown up by show-off teammate Stork, and the only way she can get her crush’s attention is through increasingly elaborate lies. Worse, she begins to suspect Pumpkin is not the supportive friend she’d imagined. Toughest to handle? Realizing the person she’s in love with might not be her longtime crush, after all.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635831030
Publisher:	North Star Editions
Publication date:	08/20/2024
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	HL660L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Like Millie, Elizabeth Holden is an avid roller derby player, a blocker with Madison Roller Derby since 2015. Liz’s league-mates know her as Auntie Matter; her derby name is a reference to her job teaching college physics. (And, yes, she is also an aunt. Hi, William and Hugo!) When not busy writing, playing derby, or teaching, Liz is most likely leading international trips with her company, Leaping Hound Travel. Liz also co-hosts an X-Files podcast, We Want to Believe, with her sister. Liz’s tattoos are vibrant and numerous, her laugh is loud, and her heart belongs to her pet greyhounds. Learn more about her at elizabeth-holden.com.

Editorial Reviews

While the story involves serious topics like divorce, identity, and bullying, the tone is lightened by the derby girls’ names, like Ann Archy and Impaylor Swift. Millie is relatable in her anxiety and confusion, and readers will enjoy the ride.” —Booklist

“Holden’s debut invites readers into Millie’s fast-paced journey of self-confidence and growth that’s set against the vibrant culture of roller derby, making for a delightful coming-of-age story. Quirky characters and a swiftly moving plot will keep the pages turning and inspire readers to lace up their own skates.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This coming-of-age debut featuring a beautifully flawed queer-identifying protagonist endeavoring to succeed in a largely underrepresented sport will likely be enjoyed by readers beginning their roller derby journey or those who can’t get enough of it, as well as those curious to know more about derby culture.” —School Library Journal

"An original, deftly crafted, and fun read from start to finish, Mighty Millie Novak by Elizabeth Holden will hold special appeal for young readers with an interest in romance and coming of age fiction stories. . . . [E]specially and unreservedly recommended for middle school, highschool, and community librar[ies]." —Midwest Book Review

“This is a coming-of-age story that speaks to the heart of many young girls who are trying to find their way in the world.” —Story Monsters Ink

From the Publisher

08/01/2024

Gr 9 Up—Almost 16-year-old Millie Novak has decided to reinvent herself, starting with successfully passing tryouts for the Prairie Skate Juniors, her local junior roller derby league. Among her parents impending divorce, her brother going away to college, and her social isolation from attending online school, Millie is unhappy with the direction her life has taken and is determined to make friends and be considered a real athlete. After she makes the team, Millie and Pumpkin, her only friend and fellow league-mate, also begin to scheme to win over an older league member whom Millie has a crush on. Unfortunately, their schemes involve an increasingly elaborate series of lies, which all inevitably come back around to make Millie's life worse. What's more, Pumpkin seems to be less and less enthusiastic about derby and more interested in Millie's older brother, which creates a rift in their friendship. In spite of a series of missteps and bad choices, Millie eventually manages to find her derby legs, make some friends, and come to terms with herself. She also finds love with a teammate, albeit one she would have least expected. VERDICT This coming-of-age debut featuring a beautifully flawed queer-identifying protagonist endeavoring to succeed in a largely underrepresented sport will likely be enjoyed by readers beginning their roller derby journey or those who can't get enough of it, as well as those curious to know more about derby culture.—Jessica Marie

School Library Journal

2024-05-04
A roller derby–loving teen from the Chicago suburbs faces turmoil and discovers her inner strength.

Millie Novak is a queer, white sophomore who loves dyeing her hair fun colors and struggles with anxiety. Millie’s parents are finally divorcing after years of fighting. She attends school online, and her older brother is away at college, so she’s on a mission to make friends. The one place Millie feels like she’s a part of something bigger is at the rink, playing roller derby. When Millie (aka Dino Might or Mighty) makes it onto the Prairie Skate Juniors team, along with Pumpkin Slice Latte, who’s Latina and her only friend, she’s thrilled. Getting to know Pumpkin better offers Millie a glimpse into the type of friendship she’s been missing ever since leaving public school in sixth grade after being seriously bullied. Pumpkin starts to become a distraction during practices, however, and their friendship begins to hinder Millie’s progress in the sport. By contrast, another teammate, Stork, is a focused athlete who takes an interest in Millie’s growth. Along the way to trying to win the Soy Anything tournament, Millie will need to navigate complicated crushes and friendships. Holden’s debut invites readers into Millie’s fast-paced journey of self-confidence and growth that’s set against the vibrant culture of roller derby, making for a delightful coming-of-age story.

Quirky characters and a swiftly moving plot will keep the pages turning and inspire readers to lace up their own skates. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews