Play Like A Girl

– Misty Wilson and David Wilson –

Balzer + Bray

Published 27 September 2022

♥♥♥♥♥

 

Play Like A Girl is another fantastic graphic novel memoir. My school library readers snaffle up graphic memoirs as fast as I can get them to them and I know they’ll love Play Like A Girl. I love that this memoir centres around sport and friendship. 

Misty never backs down from a challenge. So when she’s told she can’t play football, she convinces her best friend Bree to try out for the boys football team. Training is tough. Much harder than she expected, but she loves the drive to prove herself. But Bree isn’t enjoying it so much. She’d rather hang out with her new friend Ava. And it seems like they are only too happy to exclude Misty. Misty is determined to prove she is just as good as any of the guys. But things get even harder when the boys won’t help, don’t pass to her and she can’t even figure out how to wear the gear, not to mention how her classmates treat her now that she’s started playing. And let’s not mention the haircut incident. Middle school is rough. But Misty isn’t going to let any of that stop her. 

This is a great graphic novel about being true to yourself. Misty is a little headstrong and a little blind to her friend’s feelings, but she is also determined and prepared to battle it out. As she finds new friends and a place on the team, she also becomes more comfortable with who she is and allowing people to accept that – an important message for our young teen readers.

I loved that this memoir featured sport and I know that as soon as I place it on our shelves we won’t see it again. 

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Middle grade graphic novel

Genre: Memoir, Sport

Themes: Friendship, sport, football, middle school, competitions, teams, belonging, identity.

Reading age guide: Ages 8 and up.

Advisory: Bullying.

Published: 27 September 2022 by Balzer +Bray

Format: Paperback. 272 pages.

ISBN: 9780063064683

Find it on Goodreads