Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+

Roller Girl

Author: Victoria Jamieson

Publisher: Puffin

It’s really exciting to be starting at Roller Derby summer camp, but less so when Astrid finds herself doing it alone; her best friend, who has been hanging out with other more popular girls, wants to do ballet instead.

But Astrid loves Roller Derby: she wants to be just like Rainbow Bite, the best and most awesome jammer she’s ever seen. So, despite being exhausted, bruised and terrible at even being able to skate in a straight line, Astrid keeps going. Her perseverance pays off, and Astrid finds friendship and recognition as part of the Rose Bud Rollers.

A fantastic full-colour graphic novel about friendship and awesome, strong girls, this a genuine joy to read. Astrid’s tale of finding new friends and her changing relationship with a childhood best pal is real and human, and her involvement with the Rose Bud Rollers is an empowering journey that will make anyone reading it want to put on a pair of skates and hit the rink.

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