GRAPHIC NOVEL - Roller Girl

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jamieson, Victoria. 2015. Roller Girl. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9780545934978

PLOT SUMMARY

Twelve-year-old Astrid is a bit different from other twelve-year-old girls she knows. She doesn’t care for bright colors like pink and yellow, has no interest in boys, and always wants to hang out with her best friend, Nicole. However, once she is introduced to Roller Derby by her mother, something happens in her friendship with Nicole, who likes girlie-type things. She first gets a little upset when Nicole prefers to go to a Dance summer camp versus the Roller Derby summer camp. Suddenly, Astrid is upset and doesn’t understand her emotions as to why it hurts her that Nicole is moving on to another friend. In the end, Astrid grows a lot during the summer camp and begins to form new friendships, while still keeping a friendship, just a new style one with Nicole after hitting many bumpy spots. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this realistic fiction graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson, the reader is taken through the roller coaster of emotions that wreak havoc on a child approaching the teenage years with growing and losing of friendships. The story follows Astrid, a young girl, on her search to figure out who she really is. Jamieson does a marvelous job highlighting the emotions of the main character throughout the novel. Her development of the plot helps keep the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat waiting for what will happen next. 

While this book supports multiple themes, the one that sticks out the most is learning to adapt out of one’s own comfort zone and beginning to thrive as a new individual. Astrid learned about being a good friend, being independent, and being supportive even when jealous. 

While some graphic novels can be overpowered with illustrations and not enough text, Jamieson uses a healthy dose of both. The illustrations complement the words to enhance the reading experience. Combined, the action and wording heightened the emotions of different moments. For example, right before Astrid was knocked out of the rink, there was a close-up illustration of her face with one small speech bubble that said “oh no.” This picture was immediately followed by a whole-body shot of her exploding off of the page. This adds to the humor and realistic nature of how some teenagers feel when going through similar activities.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist: “The bright, detailed, and colorful illustrations convey Astrid’s scrappy personality while also focusing on the high-contact aspect of Roller Derby: the girls hip check and elbow one another right out of the panels. A touching look at the ups and downs of following one’s dreams, in addition to introducing readers to a relatively unknown sport.”

Horn Book Guide: “Jamieson's dialogue captures coming-of-age within a subculture authentically; the graphic-novel format is used resourcefully. Have this at the ready for Telgemeier fans.”

Horn Book Magazine: “This graphic novel also serves as a surprisingly informative derby primer. Jamieson's dialogue captures coming-of-age within a subculture so authentically that readers will forgive the art's occasional inconsistencies in draftsmanship. The comics format is used resourcefully, with the artist occasionally placing Astrid before exaggerated, out-of-this-world backdrops (a desert on a long, hot walk home, for instance) and pausing action to address readers directly. Tweens and young teens will identify with Astrid's journey to find her unique voice in the world and derby name on the track. Have it at the ready for Telgemeier fans racing to find something new.”

Kirkus: “Jamieson captures this snapshot of preteen angst with a keenly decisive eye, brilliantly juxtaposing the nuances of roller derby with the twists and turns of adolescent girls' friendships. Clean, bright illustrations evince the familiar emotions and bring the pathos to life in a way that text alone could not. Fans of Raina Telgemeier or Jimmy Gownley's Amelia series should certainly skate on over to this gem. Full of charm and moxie--don't let this one roll past.”

Publishers Weekly: “Jamieson's full-color cartooning has a Sunday comics vibe, and her pacing is faultless. Astrid struggles to do right as she tries to understand her soured friendship with Nicole, and she narrates her own failures with heartwarming candor ("I don't know why I did it. I didn't mean to hit them"). When she comes up with an elaborate scheme to bolster a teammate's failing confidence and carries it off despite the pressure of their upcoming bout, readers will want to stand up and cheer.”

School Library Journal: “While this graphic novel provides interesting information about the sport, at its heart it is a story of friendship, exploring the tensions which test the girls' relationship as they move from childhood to adolescence. The graphic novelist employs several excellent visual devices: angles to denote action and effective placement and space within panels. Jamieson's clever use of imagery is noteworthy. Panels with stick figures are employed for comments, notes, and explanations. A prologue effectively frames the story and the realistic style with full-color art is reminiscent of the work of Raina Telgemeier. While at times some panels are a bit text-dense, the story will engage readers who will identify with Astrid as she deals with frustrations and disappointments. It will especially appeal to those whose aspirations fly in the face of convention.”

CONNECTIONS

• Ask students to identify with certain characters in the story, what makes them feel like themselves?
  
  

• ELAR classroom for the use of a theme lesson, especially those “middle-school friendships” that seem to come and go.
  
  

• Science classroom, lesson over physics with the background knowledge from the story about roller skating.
  
  

• Other realistic fiction graphic novels for middle schoolers:

• Holm, Jennifer. SUNNY SIDE UP. ISBN: 9780545741668

• Telgemeir, Raina.  DRAMA.  ISBN: 9781338269161

• Telgemeir, Raina. SISTERS. ISBN: 9780545540605
  
  

• Other books are written by Victoria Jamieson:

• Jamieson, V. WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED. ISBN: 9780525553908 

• Jamieson, V. THE GREAT PET ESCAPE. ISBN: 9781627791069