Freestyle by Gale Galligan - HIGH

 Freestyle by Gale Galligan, 272 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic). 2022. $13

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Cory’s dance crew is getting ready for a major competition before they graduate 8th grade and go to different high schools. As his crew captain becomes increasingly intense about practices, Cory also gets grounded because of his grades. Cory’s life seems to hit an all-time low when his parents hire a tutor named Sunna who seems strange and nerdy. However, Cory can’t help but be intrigued by her yo-yo skills. Somehow Cory has to deal with balancing new friends and interests while not giving up on old ones. 

The diversity of the characters was refreshing without being contrived. I loved that the characters learned and grew and changed. Yo-yoing and dance are a novel combination and Cory’s story should resonate with students dealing with the expectations of school, friends, and family.

Michelle in the Middle