Tomoko Takes the Lead

May 1, 2021
"It's camp and roller derby! Where can you go wrong?" The third installment of the Derby Daredevils shifts to Tomoko's perspective as summer break approaches. Rather than hitting the trails and camping with her uncle as usual, Tomoko is going with her entire league to a sleep-away roller derby camp. Tomoko is not as excited as her friends because meeting new people is terrifying for her. Upon arrival, Tomoko is shocked to learn they are staying at a large convention center in the middle of Dallas, and she sees her worst fear realized when a girl starts bullying her. Worst of all, her friends don't notice. When the Daredevils decide to sneak out into the city for a little while, they become lost. It's up to Tomoko to use all her wilderness skills to navigate them back before anyone notices. The journey back is fraught with tension and revelations, and Tomoko learns that taking the lead also means standing up for yourself. This highly illustrated chapter book is lighthearted and fun yet willing to take on hard topics. Tomoko's experiences with microaggressions--for her larger size and Japanese heritage--are not usually discussed with so much honesty and humor for middle graders. Rosewater excels at using the different perspectives of her diverse cast of characters to help Tomoko define what is happening to her and to ultimately confront her bully. This book will roll off the shelves. (Fiction. 8-12)

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July 1, 2021

Gr 4-7-The third installment of Rosewater's series is told from Tomoko's perspective and finds the Derby Daredevils traveling to Dallas for a weeklong training camp with another junior league. Tomoko, who is Japanese American and quite shy, is nervous about the trip; she is still getting comfortable with her new friends and was looking forward to a summer of bonding. Tomoko is an avid camper, however, and her uncle helps her see that the trip might give her the chance to be a leader for her team. When she finds out that the camp is at a convention center instead of a campground, Tomoko must find other ways to share her strengths and get to know the new derby players. This is made all the more difficult by a bully whose constant microaggressions wear on Tomoko but go unnoticed by her friends. As in the first two books, the world of roller derby offers a unique and engaging backdrop for the author's tender exploration of friendship, teamwork, communication, and identity. Escabasse's appealing grayscale illustrations appear every few pages and help to bring the story and its characters to life. VERDICT Warm, relevant, and inclusive, this title is accessible to readers who are new to the series, and a welcome addition for those who are already fans. Recommended.-Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elem. Sch., Elkins Park, PA

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