Kenzie Kickstarts a Team (Derby Daredevils #1)

In Austin, Tex., fifth grade best friends Kenzie and Shelly can't wait to try out for the newly formed Junior Derby League, but to guarantee that they'll end up on the same team, they have to create a new crew of five skaters in a week. Somehow, they manage to recruit three other girls, none of whom skates well or knows anything about roller derby. Shelly suggests enlisting expert skateboarder Bree, Kenzie's neighbor and secret crush. With Shelly becoming close to teammate Tomoko, a shy classmate with impressive basketball skills, and Kenzie's unintentional revelation that she likes Bree, Kenzie feels unprepared for the upcoming tryouts and the changes rolling quickly her way. Through a third-person narrative, this relatable, empathic series debut introduces readers to the fast-paced sport of roller derby and hints at interesting backstories for Kenzie's teammates--Tomoko, for instance, is withdrawn unless competing--likely setting up plenty of challenges for this underdog team to overcome in future installments. Kenzie's transgender dad is rendered incidentally, and black-and-white drawings by Escabasse depict various scenes and highlight the inclusive character group. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Lauren Spieller, TriadaUS Literary. Ilustrator's agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary. (Mar.)

Gr 3-7--Set in the world of roller derby in Austin, fifth-graders Kenzie and Shelley are two derby-obsessed best friends who call themselves the Dynamic Duo. When they find out there will be a city junior league, the Duo sets out to recruit three other girls for their squad. Along the way they meet shy Tomoko, who loves basketball; excitable Jules, who is eager to join; Camila, who is timid and reluctant; and skateboarder Bree, who Kenzie is still unsure about. Kenzie feels weird emotions around Bree that she can't categorize. In her wonderful debut, Rosewater gives readers a look into the world of roller derby and what it entails, while depicting a relatable story of shifting young friendships. Escabasse's grayscale illustrations capture the animated and feverish elements of the derby, as well as the characters' expressions and reactions. The cast of characters is diverse; Kenzie's father is trans, and the subject is discussed openly and frankly but without fanfare. VERDICT A great addition to juvenile sports fiction for school and public libraries. Perfect for fans of Victoria Jamieson's Roller Girl, and readers seeking stories about sports-loving girls supporting each other.--Annmarie Braithwaite, New York Public Library