08/01/2022
Seventh grader Misty tackles middle school politics on and off the football field in the Wilsons’ debut, a heartening graphic memoir by a husband-and-wife duo. Despite her stepdad and coach’s support, Misty is discouraged by the hostility she receives from boys who resent having a girl on their football team. Though her best friend Bree reluctantly plays, too, Bree eventually quits to hang out with effortlessly cool Ava. In addition to Misty’s struggles navigating taunts from her teammates, she must also endure painful barbs from both Ava and Bree, including their assumption that Misty doesn’t like boys because of her love of sports and seemingly uncaring attitude toward her appearance. Hoping to alleviate rumors and mitigate bullying, Misty experiments with a more traditionally feminine gender expression by wearing skirts and makeup. As Misty juggles school and friendship drama, and hones her football skills, her sense of self takes shape. Expressive and brightly colored art, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s, deftly captures early 2000s fashion and complicated football plays. Misty’s busy blended family’s dynamics are refreshing, and conversations surrounding social exclusion are sensitively rendered in this cathartic story of sports and identity. Ages 8–12. Agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House. (Sept.)
"Supported by David Wilson’s expressive and detailed artwork (especially in his well-choreographed scenes of football plays), Misty’s Play like a Girl will be a welcome choice for readers looking for graphic novels that defy and challenge traditional gender stereotypes." — Booklist (starred review)
“[T]he book does an excellent job of folding the football story line (including plenty of play-by-play game-time action) into that of Misty’s life struggles. Readers will cheer as Misty eventually makes new, true friends; wins the acceptance of (most of) her football teammates; begins to take on a more responsible role in her family; and comes to an empowering conclusion: ‘I knew one thing for sure: I was done trying to be someone else.’” — The Horn Book
"Seventh grader Misty tackles middle school politics in a heartening graphic memoir. Expressive and brightly colored art, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s, deftly captures early 2000s fashion and complicated football plays. Misty’s busy blended family’s dynamics are refreshing, and conversations surrounding social exclusion are sensitively rendered in this cathartic story of sports and identity." — Publishers Weekly
“Middle school drama hits hard in this coming-of-age graphic memoir… [that] will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself.” — Kirkus Reviews
“I am a huge fan of Misty and her courageous journey of staying true to herself. Readers will love her!” — Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series
“This is the book I wish I’d had as a kid. Misty’s passion for football and her fight to play in a male-dominated sport while balancing friendship and crushes makes for a winning read!” — Dr. Jen Welter, first female NFL coach, first female running back in men’s pro football, and founder of Grrridiron Girls
I am a huge fan of Misty and her courageous journey of staying true to herself. Readers will love her!
This is the book I wish I’d had as a kid. Misty’s passion for football and her fight to play in a male-dominated sport while balancing friendship and crushes makes for a winning read!
11/11/2022
Gr 5–8—For fans of Shannon Hale and Jennifer Holm, this graphic novel memoir tackles middle school drama on the football field. Misty and her best friend, Bree, decide to join the seventh-grade football team, but they quickly learn that it's not easy to tackle grumpy teammates on the field—or the perils of friendships in the classroom. With no administrative pressures in her way, the only things standing between Misty and her goals are the less-than-welcoming male teammates and her own self-esteem. While the illustration style is inviting and easy to sell to middle grade readers, and the story handles middle school conflicts like shifting friendships in a relatable way, the plot unfolds along a predictable arc, which could prevent readers from feeling fully invested. VERDICT The depiction of football is well done and will be a big draw, but the familiar path of the plot lessens the emotional buy-in for readers. Give this to sports-loving fans of Shannon Hale, Jennifer Holm, Kayla Miller, and Raina Telgemeier.—Aryssa Damron
2022-06-22
Middle school drama hits hard in this coming-of-age graphic memoir.
Natural competitor Misty has faced off against the boys for years, always coming out on top, but now they’re moving on without her into the land of full-contact football. Never one to back away from a challenge, Misty resolves to join the team and convinces her best friend, Bree, to join her. While Misty pours herself into practicing, obviously uninterested Bree—who was motivated more by getting to be around boys than doing sports—drifts toward popular queen bee Ava, creating an uneasy dynamic. Feeling estranged from Bree, Misty, who typically doesn’t think much about her appearance, tries to navigate seventh grade—even experimenting with a more traditionally feminine gender expression—while also mastering her newfound talent for tackling and facing hostility from some boys on the team. Readers with uncommon interests will relate to the theme of being the odd one out. Social exclusion and cutting remarks can be traumatic, so it’s therapeutic to see Misty begin to embrace her differences instead of trying to fit in with frenemies who don’t value her. The illustrations are alive with color and rich emotional details, pairing perfectly with the heartfelt storytelling. The husband-and-wife duo’s combined efforts will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Main characters present as White; some background characters read as Black.
A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself. (Graphic memoir. 9-13)
