LSSL 5360: Module 6 -- Realistic Fiction, Fantasy, & Graphic Novels

Roller Girl

By Victoria Jamieson

1)    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jamieson, V. (2015). Roller Girl. New York, NY: Penguin Books. 

2)    PLOT SUMMARY

Astrid and Nicole have been best friends since the second grade and always done everything together.  The summer before junior high they begin to go separate ways.  Astrid signs up for derby camp and is shocked when Nicole chooses dance camp over it.  As the summer goes by the girls start to drift apart and their friendship is tested.  They both find new friends and new interests.  Astrid and Nicole get into an argument, are both devastated, and believe their friendship is over.  The story ends with Nicole showing up to Astrid’s derby bout; with the girls realizing they still respect each other and hopeful that they will still remain friends in some capacity. 

3)    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Roller Girl is about the hard transition of junior high and friendships affected along the way. Astrid and Nicole’s friendship is tested, and they must grow up and find themselves outside of their friendship.  Jamieson did an amazing job of highlighting how difficult it can be to start junior high, especially when your friends are growing up at a different speed than you.  Astrid is not interested in make up or boys, and her mom highlights the need for good hygiene, which are all highs and lows of growing up as a girl.  Roller Girl is brought to life with the illustrations which are both colorful and entertaining.  I had never given much thought to roller derby and Jamieson describes the sport in great detail.  When I was reading the author excerpt at the back I learned that she herself plays in roller derby, just like her main character Astrid.  Jamieson didn’t write the typical book about girls in junior high, but instead wrote a graphic novel that all girls should be able to relate to, whether it’s through Astrid or Nicole.  There were some amazing themes throughout the novel; stay true to yourself, persevere when times get tough, and pursue your dreams.  I thoroughly enjoyed Roller Girl and the role model Jamieson created for young girls with her character Astrid. 

4)    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publisher Weekly’s Review:  “When Astrid’s mother takes her and her best friend Nicole to a roller derby event, Astrid is intrigued, but Nicole is left cold. The rift between them grows as Astrid signs up for derby camp, while Nicole opts for ballet. Astrid works her tail off, makes friends, finds a mentor in a star skater named Rainbow Bite, and, at last, appears in her first bout. She also undergoes some uncomfortable preadolescent ordeals before reconciling with Nicole, in scenes that Jamieson (Pest in Show), in her first graphic novel, keeps blessedly free of smarminess. Jamieson’s full-color cartooning has a Sunday comics vibe, and her pacing is faultless.”  (Reviewed 3/10/15)

Booklist’s Review:  “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. While learning the game, Astrid learns how to be a friend and, maybe, that not all friendships are forever. A touching look at the ups and downs of following one’s dreams, in addition to introducing readers to a relatively unknown sport.”  (Reviewed 3/1/15)

5)    CONNECTIONS

o   Have students research roller derby to learn more about the sport, and then have them compare it other sports.

o   Have students research other uncommon sports and share a short presentation over their discoveries to the class.

o   Other similar stories:

Dougherty, Meghan.  DOROTHY’S DERBY CHORNICLES:  WOE OF JANE DOE  ISBN 9781492601470

Dougherty, Meghan.  RISE OF THE UNDEAD REDHEAD  ISBN 9781402295355

Jamieson, Victoria.  ALL’S FAIRE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL  ISBN 9780525429982

Telegemeier, Raina.  SMILE  ISBN 9780545132053