Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bloomsbury USA Childrens (2011), Hardcover, 160 pages
Description
A series of poems describes all the baffling changes at home and at school in twelve-year-old Joylin's transition from tomboy basketball player to not-quite-girly girl.
User reviews
LibraryThing member flashlight_reader
This "story" was written as narrative prose (poetry) so it flew by. I'm not sure it even took me a full hour to read this. If you like rhyming poetry, this is not your book. There are no rhymes here. In fact, these poems read like short paragraphs. I liked it, personally, and I think it would make
Joylin is a major tomboy that loves playing basketball with the boys. That is, until she meets Santiago. Suddenly, her heart is doing flip flops every time she sees him. She's even starting to change her look by wearing makeup, high heals, skirts, and earrings! Her friends aren't happy with her change because they know it isn't because Joy wants to do it. They seem to know that she is changing for Santiago, not for herself. When she realizes the truth, it's too late. Her heart is broken and her friendship with Jake lays in critical condition (along with Jake) at the hospital.
This isn't a weepy story. In fact, there are some pretty funny moments. It's a nice coming of age story for a young girl. At the heart of the story there is a girl trying to find her place and make sense of the changes in her body. This isn't my typical read, but I can see it being a good fit for a tween reader.
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"poetry" accessible to my students.Joylin is a major tomboy that loves playing basketball with the boys. That is, until she meets Santiago. Suddenly, her heart is doing flip flops every time she sees him. She's even starting to change her look by wearing makeup, high heals, skirts, and earrings! Her friends aren't happy with her change because they know it isn't because Joy wants to do it. They seem to know that she is changing for Santiago, not for herself. When she realizes the truth, it's too late. Her heart is broken and her friendship with Jake lays in critical condition (along with Jake) at the hospital.
This isn't a weepy story. In fact, there are some pretty funny moments. It's a nice coming of age story for a young girl. At the heart of the story there is a girl trying to find her place and make sense of the changes in her body. This isn't my typical read, but I can see it being a good fit for a tween reader.
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LibraryThing member lindamamak
Joylin's finds out that growing up is not as easy as she thought
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Good story with a relatable protagonist.
LibraryThing member jamdwhitt
Hm..
I opened this book with intention of skimming it to get the jest, but it captured me and I couldn't stop-- I read it cover to cover immediately.
I felt the poetry in this book in a visceral way. Grimes brought this girl to very believable life.
...but... I worry about whether this book should be
She's trying a new wardrobe, she's toying with altering her style of feminine masculinity, and she's getting frustrated with her seeming failure to get the guy's attention.
For 'tomboy' girls who are the sort to 'grow out of' their tomboyishness, I think this is really fitting. But my concern is that characters like these are so few, that a child struggling with other points along the femininity-masculinity spectrum may feel as though she has no choice but to mature into the same types of choices that this character did.
Female masculinity isn't relegated to pre-pubescent years for all girls, and not all masculine pre-pubescent girls grow into heterosexual preferences. I don't know...I'm just not convinced this book is the most careful selection. I know Grimes couldn't possibly discuss all the forms of femininity, but I worry a parent will see this book and 'assign' it as appropriate to her or his daughter based solely on the fact that tomboyishness is something so commonly accepted as a finite phase that should and will eventually end.
I opened this book with intention of skimming it to get the jest, but it captured me and I couldn't stop-- I read it cover to cover immediately.
I felt the poetry in this book in a visceral way. Grimes brought this girl to very believable life.
...but... I worry about whether this book should be
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chosen for a student. Here's the thing: the female protagonist in this book has been a 'tomboy' her whole life, but now she's got a rush of new hormones and suddenly she's caring about stuff she never has before (namely: boys). She's trying a new wardrobe, she's toying with altering her style of feminine masculinity, and she's getting frustrated with her seeming failure to get the guy's attention.
For 'tomboy' girls who are the sort to 'grow out of' their tomboyishness, I think this is really fitting. But my concern is that characters like these are so few, that a child struggling with other points along the femininity-masculinity spectrum may feel as though she has no choice but to mature into the same types of choices that this character did.
Female masculinity isn't relegated to pre-pubescent years for all girls, and not all masculine pre-pubescent girls grow into heterosexual preferences. I don't know...I'm just not convinced this book is the most careful selection. I know Grimes couldn't possibly discuss all the forms of femininity, but I worry a parent will see this book and 'assign' it as appropriate to her or his daughter based solely on the fact that tomboyishness is something so commonly accepted as a finite phase that should and will eventually end.
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LibraryThing member Melina_Hiatt_Easter
This novel told in verse centers around a girl who very much enjoys the sport of basketball. However, as puberty hits she begins to notice boys and wanting to change herself into a more feminine girl to get their attention. I like the perspective of the character in this book, and it may identify
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with some middle school girls experiencing the same issues. The author is a highly acclaimed African American writer, poet, and educator who loves to provide her readers with real-life characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Narrated by Sisi Aisha Johnson. "What's wrong with me?" Puberty drops like a bomb on basketball-loving tomboy Joylin. All kinds of alien events are happening to her: her first bra, menstruation, and now boys, including a crush on Santiago. Just because everything is changing, does it mean Joylin
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has to change, too? Narrator Sisi youthfully expresses Joylin's emotions and reactions, from confusion to embarrassment to affection. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Awesome story in verse about a basketball crazy girl growing up. All the confusing emotions and changes, quick paced, funny story telling, great message.
Awards
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2013)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2014)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work (Nominee — 2012)
CCBC Choices (2012)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2012)
Physical description
160 p.; 7.8 inches
ISBN
1599902842 / 9781599902845