About This Book
Reach for this book when you notice your child navigating the painful 'drifting apart' phase of a long-term friendship. It is an essential read for middle-grade students who feel like they are being left behind as their peers develop new, different interests. The story follows Astrid as she signs up for roller derby camp while her best friend, Nicole, chooses dance camp with a new group of girls. Through the high-energy world of roller derby, the book explores the grit required to learn a new skill and the vulnerability of forming a self-identity independent of a best friend. It provides a realistic, hopeful look at how 'growing up' sometimes means 'growing away,' while normalizing the jealousy and loneliness that come with social shifts. It is a perfect choice for encouraging resilience and self-reliance in children aged 9 to 12.
