Shelly Struggles to Shine (The Derby Daredevils Book #2)

by Kit Rosewater, Sophie Escabasse (Illustrator)

Overview

Book #2 in this highly illustrated middle-grade series explores what it means to be a team player

Now part of the official junior roller derby league, the Derby Daredevils are ready to compete in their first tournament. Kenzie writes new game plays. Bree works on her speed. Tomoko sharpens her blocking skills. And Jules fearlessly hip checks everyone in sight. But Shelly isn’t sure what she’s best at. In hopes of taking home the tournament’s Star Skater award, Shelly designs extra-special gear for the Daredevils. But not everything works as well as Shelly imagined, and she can’t get the team on board. Without the gear, how will Shelly shine on the track? With high-energy illustrations from Sophie Escabasse and lots of roller derby action, Book #2 in the series explores individuality while hitting home what it really means to be part of a team.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419746857
Publisher:	Amulet Books
Publication date:	09/15/2020
Series:	Derby Daredevils , #2
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kit Rosewater has a master’s degree in children’s literature from Hollins University. The Derby Daredevils is her debut book. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Editorial Reviews

"Escabasse's cartoon illustrations continue to delight. Rosewater throws in subtle points about making assumptions and communicating one's feelings, and champions the truth that everyone has a unique perspective and brings. . ."—Booklist

"Readers will enjoy this welcoming and acutely relatable sequel."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/01/2020

Gr 3–6—This second series installment is written from Shelly's perspective as she tries to identify her role on the roller derby team. As the Derby Daredevils prepare to participate in a junior tournament, the teammates naturally settle into various leadership roles, but Shelly feels unseen. She settles on creating costumes, but by ignoring her friends' wishes and aggressively pursuing her idea, she amplifies the problem instead. Ultimately, the team grows even stronger by learning to communicate and by recognizing each member's unique strengths and contributions. Shelly is white, but the team and supporting cast are notably diverse. Characters of varying race, gender, and sexuality are represented, and notable attention is given to Fen, a friend of Shelly's whose pronouns are they/them. These identities are woven seamlessly into the narrative and support the explorations of friendship, communication, and personal identity. The Derby Daredevils are a wonderfully enjoyable lot and a welcome addition to the middle-grade scene. Readers need not have read book one to thoroughly enjoy book two. Bring on more roller derby! VERDICT Readers will enjoy this welcoming and acutely relatable sequel. Recommended as a general purchase.—Taylor Worley, Springfield P.L., OR

School Library Journal

"Escabasse's cartoon illustrations continue to delight. Rosewater throws in subtle points about making assumptions and communicating one's feelings, and champions the truth that everyone has a unique perspective and brings. . ."

Booklist