Squad Goals

by Erika J. Kendrick

Overview

Camp is in session in this cheer-tastic middle-grade novel about making new friends, finding your place, and learning to embrace your inner Magic.

Magic Olive Poindexter has big shoes to fill. Her mother was a professional cheerleader, her father is a retired NBA legend, her big sister is the new face of the oh-so-glamorous Laker Girls, and her grandmother was the first black cheerleader ever on Valentine Middle School's HoneyBee cheer squad. Magic wants nothing more than to follow in their footsteps. But first, she has to survive Planet Pom Poms, the summer cheer camp where she'll audition for a spot on the HoneyBee squad. But with zero athletic ability and a group of mean girls who have her number, Tragic Magic is a long way from becoming the toe-touching cheerleader heroine she dreams of being.

Things start to look up when her best friend Cappie joins her at camp—until Cappie gets bitten by the popularity bug, that is. To make matters worse, Magic's crushing hard on football star Dallas Chase. Luckily, Magic's not alone: with the help of a new crew of fabulous fellow misfits and her Grammy Mae's vintage pom poms by her side, Tragic Magic might just survive—and even thrive—at cheer camp.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316427142
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/06/2021
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	109,952
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Erika J. Kendrick is a national speaker, mental health advocate, and former NBA cheerleader. She is a Stanford University graduate with an MBA in marketing and international business from the University of Illinois. Squad Goals is her first middle-grade novel.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Squad Goals:

“Magic is such a lovable, kind, sweet character…If you love coming of age [and] girl power you should read this book!”
 —Jen’s Book Den

“Squad Goals really is a charming, cute read that reminded me a lot of the kind of books the Disney Channel Original Movies are adapted from. There's a plucky, awkward heroine, embarrassing but loving parents and older sister, a ‘from-diapers’ type of friendship with best friend Capricorn, and the main character's dream to step into her family's legacy… I couldn't help rooting for [Magic] and the rest of the friends she made at the summer cheerleading camp.”

—My Black Bookish Life

“This is one of the best middle grade books I have enjoyed in a long time. It was so funny and sweet. I could not put it down once I started. Magic is a such a fun protagonist.”

—Storme Reads a Lot

From the Publisher

03/01/2021

Gr 3–7—Magic Olive Poindexter is a young Black girl who has been surrounded by athletic greatness her entire life—her father is a retired NBA star, her older sister is a Laker Girl, and her grandmother was the first Black cheerleader ever at her middle school. Magic, instead, is a member of the coding club. She still wants to be on the middle school cheer squad, called the HoneyBees, so she heads off for the three-week Planet Pom Poms summer cheer camp. With little athletic ability, though, Magic struggles through the start of cheer camp. A group of unlikely cheer camp attendees who call themselves the StumbleBees encourage Magic and one another through three weeks of cheer training and middle school drama. The idea behind this book, believing in yourself and working hard, is a good one, but it isn't executed well. From early on, it isn't clear if Magic actually wants to be a cheerleader or if she is simply trying to do what her family expects of her in order to make them proud. Throughout the book there is a lot of focus on body image, specifically how people should be fit and skinny. Magic has secret food stashes around so she can steal a snack when people aren't looking. There are also several instances of gender stereotyping around athletic activities. VERDICT This novel's level of unchallenged body shaming and judgment is unsettling and harmful in a children's book. There are much better books that center on unlikely friendships and underdog athletes.—Jessica Trafton, Skidompha Lib., Damariscotta, ME

School Library Journal