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Starred Reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness, and School Library Journal
New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee
A graphic novel about friendship, belonging and feeling comfortable in your own skin!
Trying out for middle school cheerleader means: performing in the giant school gym, with the whole school watching, and risking total humiliation. If Christina can make it through this, she can make it through anything. As one of the only Asian American kids in her small Texas town, Christina just wants to fit in. Luckily, her best friend, Megan, who is Iranian American, can totally relate. The two girls have always been inseparable and relish creating elaborate fantasy worlds together. But middle school is a reality-check, and suddenly popularity is way more important than playing pretend. When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and Megan literally jump at the chance to join the squad. But does fitting in actually equal belonging? Will they survive the terrifying tryouts? And most importantly, will their friendship withstand the pressures of heated competition and rivalry?
Recommended for reading age 9 - 10 years
The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao [Graphic Novel]
Christina Soontornvat is the New York Times bestselling author of books for children of all ages. Her picture books include The Ramble Shamble Children, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, and To Change a Planet, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Belle. She is the author of the beloved Diary of an Ice Princess chapter book series and the bestselling graphic novel, The Tryout. Christina has received three Newbery Honor awards for her books for middle grade readers, and she is the only author to be awarded Newbery Honors for both fiction and nonfiction in the same year. Her account of the Thai Cave Rescue, All Thirteen, received numerous accolades, including the Kirkus Prize for Young People’s Literature. She travels all over the world to speak to children, writers, and educators about her love of reading and storytelling.
Christina grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town with her nose stuck in a book. She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members (and eat lots and lots of Thai food!). In addition to being an author, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field, where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science. She is passionate about STEM (science, technology engineering, and math) and loves learning new things. She currently lives in Tennessee with her husband and two daughters.
Joanna Cacao is a Canadian Filipino author-illustrator who lives in snowy Winnipeg with her partner and two dogs; Danny and Arya.
Her first published collaboration, THE TRYOUT became an instant #1 Indie Bestseller and has gained starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness and School Library Journal. Joanna’s author-illustrator debut, THE SECRET OF THE RAVENS gained a star review from School Library Journal, and is a nominee for the 2024 Aurora Awards and the 2025 Northern Lights Awards.