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The Brinkley Yearbooks #2
Tryouts
It's warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title?
Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only.
Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?
Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only.
Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?
288 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
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January 15, 2025
Brinkley Middle School's baseball team has won nine straight championships. It's a legacy. A legacy Al wants to be part of. Just one problem: Al is a girl, and the baseball team has never had a girl play with them before. But Al's aged out of her little league team and she loves playing. But when she's accepted onto the team...the season goes completely sideways. Can they rally?
I really liked this book. Call me a sucker for sports stories that subvert tropes, particularly the girl playing on a team of boys trope.
Everything is fine on the team—more or less—until Al is singled out by her coach, the assistant principal (or whatever he is), and the media, and all of her comments on her team are edited out in the interview to sound like she only cares about herself. The team becomes fractured, with Al and her friends on one side (although that friend is annoyed—rightfully so—because they're nonbinary and yet it's Al who gets the attention), and the boys on the other.
It's not Al's fault the team doesn't make the playoffs for the first time in nine years—ruining their chances of a decade of championships (a HUGE letdown). The team has a new coach after the old one retired, and the new coach has gotten into his own head with the Legacy. All but one kid from last year's team graduated, and that kid also has a stick up his head. Al wants to be the best. The pressure on all sides causes a huge ripple and implodes the team...and what it means to be a team.
Throughout this journey are two separate stories—one is Viv and her discovery of the conspiracy to replace the 1970s mascot Beaky (a goose? an eldritch horror in the general shape of a goose?) with a Martian, and her and Al's arty friends collaborating to redesign the old costume into something less dangerous; and the other is the story of the girl's basketball team, who are cruising unnoticed into an undefeated season for the first time ever to absolutely no applause.
The book has a lot to say: about family, about friends, about teammaking and teambreaking, about sportsmanship and playing on even when there's no chance of winning, of the media and what stories it tells, and about using your platform to elevate marginalized stories.
I really liked this book. Call me a sucker for sports stories that subvert tropes, particularly the girl playing on a team of boys trope.
Everything is fine on the team—more or less—until Al is singled out by her coach, the assistant principal (or whatever he is), and the media, and all of her comments on her team are edited out in the interview to sound like she only cares about herself. The team becomes fractured, with Al and her friends on one side (although that friend is annoyed—rightfully so—because they're nonbinary and yet it's Al who gets the attention), and the boys on the other.
It's not Al's fault the team doesn't make the playoffs for the first time in nine years—ruining their chances of a decade of championships (a HUGE letdown). The team has a new coach after the old one retired, and the new coach has gotten into his own head with the Legacy. All but one kid from last year's team graduated, and that kid also has a stick up his head. Al wants to be the best. The pressure on all sides causes a huge ripple and implodes the team...and what it means to be a team.
Throughout this journey are two separate stories—one is Viv and her discovery of the conspiracy to replace the 1970s mascot Beaky (a goose? an eldritch horror in the general shape of a goose?) with a Martian, and her and Al's arty friends collaborating to redesign the old costume into something less dangerous; and the other is the story of the girl's basketball team, who are cruising unnoticed into an undefeated season for the first time ever to absolutely no applause.
The book has a lot to say: about family, about friends, about teammaking and teambreaking, about sportsmanship and playing on even when there's no chance of winning, of the media and what stories it tells, and about using your platform to elevate marginalized stories.
January 14, 2024
Alexandra, known as Al to her friends, loves playing baseball. Not softball, because as she explains to her friends, that is a different game. The game she likes is baseball, and she wants to play for her school sports team, which is currently made up of boys. But, as she and her friends discover, Title IX says that if there is no equivalent team with girls on it, that girls get to try out for the boys team.
And so she goes for it, and gets on. And then the pressure is on. The tame has won nine years in a row, and the new couch wants this to be their tenth. And the principal thinks the best way to get there is to have the local tv station highlight the baseball team.
In the meantime, the girls basketball team is unbeaten. And no one is paying any attention to them. The attention that the tv station’s interview is corny, and cuts out all the things Al says about teamwork, and her team resents her. Thinking all she wants is glory, and that is when they start losing games.
Al knows something is wrong, but has no idea how to fix it.
Great story of pulling together, and working things out, and honoring those who are pulling and putting in their all. And as Al points out, she knows she can never play professionally, because there are no professional teams that will allow a woman to play. But she is dang sure that she is going to play as long as she can.
Cute story, with side characters that are silly yet supportive. Enjoyable graphic novel for the middle grade audience. Great pictures. Very enjoyable, while being deep, at times.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published the 7th of May 2024.
And so she goes for it, and gets on. And then the pressure is on. The tame has won nine years in a row, and the new couch wants this to be their tenth. And the principal thinks the best way to get there is to have the local tv station highlight the baseball team.
In the meantime, the girls basketball team is unbeaten. And no one is paying any attention to them. The attention that the tv station’s interview is corny, and cuts out all the things Al says about teamwork, and her team resents her. Thinking all she wants is glory, and that is when they start losing games.
Al knows something is wrong, but has no idea how to fix it.
Great story of pulling together, and working things out, and honoring those who are pulling and putting in their all. And as Al points out, she knows she can never play professionally, because there are no professional teams that will allow a woman to play. But she is dang sure that she is going to play as long as she can.
Cute story, with side characters that are silly yet supportive. Enjoyable graphic novel for the middle grade audience. Great pictures. Very enjoyable, while being deep, at times.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published the 7th of May 2024.
December 27, 2023
Energetic and inclusive middle grade book that tells the story of a middle school baseball team trying to defend their 9-year championship streak after adding a new coach, bearing the loss of most of their all-star starters, and adding the very first girl to their team.
The bigger story though, that they all learn, is how to become a successful team. They also learn a bit about the media, public relations spins, and controlling your own narrative. And guess what: for this generation, their own social media captures their spirit and messaging best.
Evidently this is part of a series-the Brinkley Yearbook. Again, it’s bold and packs a lot of energy into telling stories of the friendships and drama in this middle schools’ hallways and athletic fields. While it doesn’t quite have crossover appeal for adults as some of these amazing middle grade graphic novels do, it doesn’t have to - it does its job. I think kids would relate and love it.
The bigger story though, that they all learn, is how to become a successful team. They also learn a bit about the media, public relations spins, and controlling your own narrative. And guess what: for this generation, their own social media captures their spirit and messaging best.
Evidently this is part of a series-the Brinkley Yearbook. Again, it’s bold and packs a lot of energy into telling stories of the friendships and drama in this middle schools’ hallways and athletic fields. While it doesn’t quite have crossover appeal for adults as some of these amazing middle grade graphic novels do, it doesn’t have to - it does its job. I think kids would relate and love it.
December 4, 2024
Baseball has never been an interest of mine, so this was really hard to read. I almost gave up at first but wanted to finish the second book in the series. (Even though I didn't like the first book either, I have a thing about reading series)
December 19, 2023
Return to Brinkley Middle School with Tryouts by @sarahsaxart
⚾️
Alexandra aka Al loves playing baseball with her older brothers. Baseball, not softball. When her middle school team has tryouts, Al’s friend Sammy convinces her to tryout for the team, even though it’s all-boys. The coach, surprisingly, is all for it and Al makes a great addition to the team, but when the tenth championship is on the line, will Al be able to step up to the plate?
⚾️
I loved Picture Day and this was such a great follow up. Lots of different perspectives can be included in this MG series and I loved the representation of a female on a male team. This should be common practice. This book releases May 7.
CW: misogyny
⚾️
Alexandra aka Al loves playing baseball with her older brothers. Baseball, not softball. When her middle school team has tryouts, Al’s friend Sammy convinces her to tryout for the team, even though it’s all-boys. The coach, surprisingly, is all for it and Al makes a great addition to the team, but when the tenth championship is on the line, will Al be able to step up to the plate?
⚾️
I loved Picture Day and this was such a great follow up. Lots of different perspectives can be included in this MG series and I loved the representation of a female on a male team. This should be common practice. This book releases May 7.
CW: misogyny
June 13, 2024
Sarah Sax's graphic novel Tryouts is a colorful, charming read. Being a female baseball player myself (who, like Al, could never play softball), I really appreciate shining light on players like us. For more info, please check out the all-girls baseball organization, Baseball For All, which has over 30 amazing girls baseball teams all over the US! Tryouts does a phenomenal job in shining light on the fact that female sports are often overlooked (even though this is a very small plot point that isn't explored more than a couple speech bubbles.)
This novel is really heartwarming, seeing all sorts of players get recognized for their great work and teammates working together to make their dreams come true. However, the plot gets a little muddled with some irrelevant plot lines, especially with Viv's new mascot, and the girls basketball team plot line makes sense, but I feel should have had more development. Acknowledging this is a simple graphic novel, the baseball team dynamic feels rushed, and Al's internal conflicts feel logical but not really believable in the time that it's given to develop. Nevertheless, this seems to be in a series, and I bet that maybe some of these ends will be tied later in the next book, which I expect follow Milo (if it follows the pattern).
I was sort of let down with this novel after reading the first installment of the series, Picture Day. Picture Day was simple and straightforward with its theme, which made it considerably easier to follow than Tryouts. Graphic novels are between 100 and 200 pages, with maybe 5 panels per page. In order to effectively write a graphic novel, everything has to be easy-to-follow and concise, as most audiences will be younger.
I'm not against complex plots. As a matter of fact, I LOVE the complex plot of films like Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part 2 or Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. However, in the context of a graphic novel that's more about self-discovery than moral and religious dilemmas, Tryouts didn't get its theme and points across as great as it did in Picture Day. No matter how interesting a plot or theme could be, if it isn't well executed, than the overall quality of the product really decreases. The story becomes harder to follow, and the main theme becomes diluted to the viewer.
Tryouts still feels like an empowering graphic novel, but it really just hit below the bar that its predecessor set in plot and theme structure. However, if you enjoy Sax's art style, are a girl baseball player looking for something relatable, or just need a good-feeling book to pick up, this is your go-to book. I can relate a lot to Al's character, and I look forward to seeing where she goes. ⚾
This novel is really heartwarming, seeing all sorts of players get recognized for their great work and teammates working together to make their dreams come true. However, the plot gets a little muddled with some irrelevant plot lines, especially with Viv's new mascot, and the girls basketball team plot line makes sense, but I feel should have had more development. Acknowledging this is a simple graphic novel, the baseball team dynamic feels rushed, and Al's internal conflicts feel logical but not really believable in the time that it's given to develop. Nevertheless, this seems to be in a series, and I bet that maybe some of these ends will be tied later in the next book, which I expect follow Milo (if it follows the pattern).
I was sort of let down with this novel after reading the first installment of the series, Picture Day. Picture Day was simple and straightforward with its theme, which made it considerably easier to follow than Tryouts. Graphic novels are between 100 and 200 pages, with maybe 5 panels per page. In order to effectively write a graphic novel, everything has to be easy-to-follow and concise, as most audiences will be younger.
I'm not against complex plots. As a matter of fact, I LOVE the complex plot of films like Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part 2 or Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. However, in the context of a graphic novel that's more about self-discovery than moral and religious dilemmas, Tryouts didn't get its theme and points across as great as it did in Picture Day. No matter how interesting a plot or theme could be, if it isn't well executed, than the overall quality of the product really decreases. The story becomes harder to follow, and the main theme becomes diluted to the viewer.
Tryouts still feels like an empowering graphic novel, but it really just hit below the bar that its predecessor set in plot and theme structure. However, if you enjoy Sax's art style, are a girl baseball player looking for something relatable, or just need a good-feeling book to pick up, this is your go-to book. I can relate a lot to Al's character, and I look forward to seeing where she goes. ⚾
February 21, 2024
Welcome Back!
I really love reading graphic novels and manga. There is just something so fun about diving into these stories and just getting to enjoy them alongside images that help to represent the characters, settings, situations, and more. Recently I picked up a graphic novel E-ARC (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review). I had no idea when I decided to pick this one up there was a graphic novel before it (so now I am trying to hunt a copy down to read) but in the meantime let’s talk about Tryouts!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Al is a female baseball player but now in middle school she is not sure she will get to play anymore. They have a boy’s team but not a girl’s team. After some research performed by her friends and a chat with her family, she decides she is going to sign up for tryouts for the boy’s team. The new coach does not put up a fight and is actually very excited to have Al trying out. Al tries out and does her best, she patiently waits for the news of if she made the team, and when the day comes that the coach makes the announcements, Al learns she made the team! She is beyond excited and they are able to start the session off strong. However, there starts to be some follies when Al is recognized by the media and they cut out some items from the interview to make it appear like Al is attributing all the success to herself instead of the team. Now the team is mad and Al and Al is feeling all off. But can the team make a comeback? This is very important to everyone but it would require them to pull together to pull this off!
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. Al, her family, her friends, and her teammates were all interesting and I loved getting to be a part of their world for just a little bit. Additionally, this graphic novel’s colors pop off the page and catch your attention, they make you want to continue reading this story and learning more about Al’s journey. I am currently hunting down the first graphic novel in this series and I am so excited to get to have more time in this world. This graphic novel is coming out on May 7th! I highly recommend giving it a try!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
I really love reading graphic novels and manga. There is just something so fun about diving into these stories and just getting to enjoy them alongside images that help to represent the characters, settings, situations, and more. Recently I picked up a graphic novel E-ARC (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review). I had no idea when I decided to pick this one up there was a graphic novel before it (so now I am trying to hunt a copy down to read) but in the meantime let’s talk about Tryouts!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Al is a female baseball player but now in middle school she is not sure she will get to play anymore. They have a boy’s team but not a girl’s team. After some research performed by her friends and a chat with her family, she decides she is going to sign up for tryouts for the boy’s team. The new coach does not put up a fight and is actually very excited to have Al trying out. Al tries out and does her best, she patiently waits for the news of if she made the team, and when the day comes that the coach makes the announcements, Al learns she made the team! She is beyond excited and they are able to start the session off strong. However, there starts to be some follies when Al is recognized by the media and they cut out some items from the interview to make it appear like Al is attributing all the success to herself instead of the team. Now the team is mad and Al and Al is feeling all off. But can the team make a comeback? This is very important to everyone but it would require them to pull together to pull this off!
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. Al, her family, her friends, and her teammates were all interesting and I loved getting to be a part of their world for just a little bit. Additionally, this graphic novel’s colors pop off the page and catch your attention, they make you want to continue reading this story and learning more about Al’s journey. I am currently hunting down the first graphic novel in this series and I am so excited to get to have more time in this world. This graphic novel is coming out on May 7th! I highly recommend giving it a try!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
January 30, 2024
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Al has played baseball for years, but when she is old enough to play on her middle school team, there is some reluctance because she is a girl, at least from the athletic director. The new coach doesn't seem to mind, especially since he hopes to lead the team to its first victory in many years and is glad to have Al's expertise. Al's large family is supportive, and her mother, who is a long distance trucker, checks in often from the road. Al's friends are all trying new things; Milo, who loves to sew, attends art club, and helps revamp an old school mascot. The boys are the team have a few problems with Al, especially when there is a big television news interview with her, but in general just want to win their games. Will the team, accompanied by a new mascot, be able to recapture the glory of the 1970s successes?
This book is set in the same school as Sax's Picture Day and involves the same characters, making the graphic novel series similar to Libenson's Emmie and Friends books or Chmakova's Berrybrook Middle School collection. I enjoyed the author's note about the importance of trying out a variety of activities in middle school, and how the social aspects of sports teams are helpful even if kids aren't particularly successful at the sport. This is definitely true; my daughter enjoyed being on the cross country team even if she didn't necessarily enjoy RUNNING cross country.
Al has played baseball for years, but when she is old enough to play on her middle school team, there is some reluctance because she is a girl, at least from the athletic director. The new coach doesn't seem to mind, especially since he hopes to lead the team to its first victory in many years and is glad to have Al's expertise. Al's large family is supportive, and her mother, who is a long distance trucker, checks in often from the road. Al's friends are all trying new things; Milo, who loves to sew, attends art club, and helps revamp an old school mascot. The boys are the team have a few problems with Al, especially when there is a big television news interview with her, but in general just want to win their games. Will the team, accompanied by a new mascot, be able to recapture the glory of the 1970s successes?
This book is set in the same school as Sax's Picture Day and involves the same characters, making the graphic novel series similar to Libenson's Emmie and Friends books or Chmakova's Berrybrook Middle School collection. I enjoyed the author's note about the importance of trying out a variety of activities in middle school, and how the social aspects of sports teams are helpful even if kids aren't particularly successful at the sport. This is definitely true; my daughter enjoyed being on the cross country team even if she didn't necessarily enjoy RUNNING cross country.
January 14, 2024
Alexandra (Al) has been playing baseball for years, but when she ages out of Little League, she's afraid she'll never have the chance to play again. When her best friend suggests that she go out for the middle school baseball team, a team that has always been boys only, it seems like the perfect solution.
With a new coach and a young team, the school's 10th consecutive championship is on the line. But it seems like the team just can't figure out how to play together and when Al begins getting a lot of attention for being a girl playing with boys, their problems just escalate. In the meantime, the girls' basketball team is having a record-breaking season and can't seem to get anyone to notice. Can Al and her friends figure out how to play together and can they show their town what a team looks like?
I enjoyed Sax's story and illustrations a lot. This is going to be a great addition to any middle school library. It's a fantastic look at standing up for yourself, doing what you love, and figuring out how to work as a team. I liked that Al wasn't the only character in the story dealing with finding a way to do what she loves and that she was able to use the platform she never really wanted to shine a spotlight on the excellence of others. However, I did feel that some of the side storylines were a little unnecessary and they felt rushed or incomplete in some places.
With a new coach and a young team, the school's 10th consecutive championship is on the line. But it seems like the team just can't figure out how to play together and when Al begins getting a lot of attention for being a girl playing with boys, their problems just escalate. In the meantime, the girls' basketball team is having a record-breaking season and can't seem to get anyone to notice. Can Al and her friends figure out how to play together and can they show their town what a team looks like?
I enjoyed Sax's story and illustrations a lot. This is going to be a great addition to any middle school library. It's a fantastic look at standing up for yourself, doing what you love, and figuring out how to work as a team. I liked that Al wasn't the only character in the story dealing with finding a way to do what she loves and that she was able to use the platform she never really wanted to shine a spotlight on the excellence of others. However, I did feel that some of the side storylines were a little unnecessary and they felt rushed or incomplete in some places.
April 23, 2024
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
⚾️ are a huge baseball fan
🏫 have a middle schooler
🧢 want to know how to play on a team
📸 read book one, Picture Day
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only.
Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a great follow-up to book one, Picture Day! It took me a second to realize that this book is about Viv’s friend, Al, from book one, but I immediately fell back into the happenings at Brinkley Middle School! I loved the witty banter and the drawings were phenomenal as usual! I loved seeing them all come together at the end of the story. I can’t wait to see book 3! I hope it’s from Milo’s POV!
⚾️ are a huge baseball fan
🏫 have a middle schooler
🧢 want to know how to play on a team
📸 read book one, Picture Day
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only.
Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a great follow-up to book one, Picture Day! It took me a second to realize that this book is about Viv’s friend, Al, from book one, but I immediately fell back into the happenings at Brinkley Middle School! I loved the witty banter and the drawings were phenomenal as usual! I loved seeing them all come together at the end of the story. I can’t wait to see book 3! I hope it’s from Milo’s POV!
February 21, 2024
thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for a review!
awww this one was cute. i wasn't aware it was the second book in a series, but honestly it could be read as a standalone---the only thing i think i missed was some plot development for a side character (who was the main character in the first book!).
anyway: girls in sports! killing it! i liked the kind of divide between Sammi and Al, because Sammi really wanted the focus that was on boys sports to be directed towards her team, and Al just wanted to play her sport. I think it was really important to have that 'redirection' of attention, because the news coverage directed towards Al wasn't necessarily bad, just misguided in its target.
this is definitely a story about characters first and foremost, and it's not just a book about Al! i loved all the side characters and felt like they were very well developed (although my favorites were Sammi and Julian for sure). lets go sports! i now need a full book about the basketball team please and thank you.
awww this one was cute. i wasn't aware it was the second book in a series, but honestly it could be read as a standalone---the only thing i think i missed was some plot development for a side character (who was the main character in the first book!).
anyway: girls in sports! killing it! i liked the kind of divide between Sammi and Al, because Sammi really wanted the focus that was on boys sports to be directed towards her team, and Al just wanted to play her sport. I think it was really important to have that 'redirection' of attention, because the news coverage directed towards Al wasn't necessarily bad, just misguided in its target.
this is definitely a story about characters first and foremost, and it's not just a book about Al! i loved all the side characters and felt like they were very well developed (although my favorites were Sammi and Julian for sure). lets go sports! i now need a full book about the basketball team please and thank you.
May 26, 2024
Clear, well written and very readable graphic novel (from an adult that doesn't always find graphic novels very readable).
Al LOVES baseball but she has aged out of the rec leagues. There is a middle school baseball team but it is a boys team. Her friends help her research Title IX and they learn that if there is no equivalent girls team, girls must be allowed to play. The coach/school are very supportive, although there is reference that previous coaches might not have been. Some push back from boys on the team, but mostly because the local news station makes a big deal about a girl playing and they feel left out.
Spoiler:
Al uses her media attention to highlight the girls basketball team that has been forgotten despite their excellent record. She also talks with her team about her desire to have fun playing and push each other to do their best. They pull together and support each other in their individual goals.
This is the second book in a series, but stands alone well.
I was given a free review copy by Granite Media.
Al LOVES baseball but she has aged out of the rec leagues. There is a middle school baseball team but it is a boys team. Her friends help her research Title IX and they learn that if there is no equivalent girls team, girls must be allowed to play. The coach/school are very supportive, although there is reference that previous coaches might not have been. Some push back from boys on the team, but mostly because the local news station makes a big deal about a girl playing and they feel left out.
Spoiler:
Al uses her media attention to highlight the girls basketball team that has been forgotten despite their excellent record. She also talks with her team about her desire to have fun playing and push each other to do their best. They pull together and support each other in their individual goals.
This is the second book in a series, but stands alone well.
I was given a free review copy by Granite Media.
September 3, 2024
My 10-year-old daughter loved this, but it was kind of a flop for me. The graphic novel style was great and I loved the theme of teamwork that plays out by the end. However it was riddled with errors, baseball errors but also timeline stuff. Basketball (a winter sport) would never be taking place at the same time as baseball (a spring sport). The coaches say they’re going to check to see if the gym is free for practice when it starts raining, but we’ve already established that basketball is playing. So maybe they have an away game, but coaches (and players!) know this stuff ahead of time. Plus there were just too many things going on: a new coach that isn’t very good, players who are fighting each other, an AD focused on tv interviews (for a public middle school team, really?), and more. It was fine, but definitely wouldn’t recommend to baseball (or softball) fans.
It really shouldn’t be that hard to have someone with baseball knowledge take a look to make sure everything makes sense.
It really shouldn’t be that hard to have someone with baseball knowledge take a look to make sure everything makes sense.
April 28, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Tryouts is the sequel to Picture Day, where sporty Al is trying out for the school's baseball team. She would be the first girl on the team and hopes to help the team win their tenth championship. The heart of the story is Al dealing with team conflicts, losing games, and helping give girls' sports teams as much recognition as boys. I enjoyed this probably even more than Picture Day because Viv is a difficult character to like and root for, while Al is just the best. Viv does have a side story that brings some much-needed comedy to juxtapose the more serious issues found in Tryouts. The artwork is solid with full-color illustrations and backgrounds that match the main characters. The Brinkley Yearbooks is turning out to be a loving series and I can't wait to read the next installment (hopefully about Milo and his nerdy Art Club friends).
Tryouts is the sequel to Picture Day, where sporty Al is trying out for the school's baseball team. She would be the first girl on the team and hopes to help the team win their tenth championship. The heart of the story is Al dealing with team conflicts, losing games, and helping give girls' sports teams as much recognition as boys. I enjoyed this probably even more than Picture Day because Viv is a difficult character to like and root for, while Al is just the best. Viv does have a side story that brings some much-needed comedy to juxtapose the more serious issues found in Tryouts. The artwork is solid with full-color illustrations and backgrounds that match the main characters. The Brinkley Yearbooks is turning out to be a loving series and I can't wait to read the next installment (hopefully about Milo and his nerdy Art Club friends).
June 17, 2024
In TRYOUTS by Sarah Sax, Al loves baseball & tries out to be the first girl on the school’s championship contender team. After being selected for the team, she makes waves when a local news report singles her out and the team struggles to work together after Al’s turn in the spotlight. Will the team be able to recover and work together to achieve their goal?
Tryouts is a tale of teamwork and finding your place that will interest middle school readers beyond sports fans. It also addresses the contemporary issues around gender equality in sports that continue to play out. Fantastic artwork and a fun subplot about the school’s mascot round out this sports themed graphic novel with a positive message for all readers. I think this follow up to PICTURE DAY will be popular in my school's media center collection.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC to read and review.
Tryouts is a tale of teamwork and finding your place that will interest middle school readers beyond sports fans. It also addresses the contemporary issues around gender equality in sports that continue to play out. Fantastic artwork and a fun subplot about the school’s mascot round out this sports themed graphic novel with a positive message for all readers. I think this follow up to PICTURE DAY will be popular in my school's media center collection.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC to read and review.
May 26, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital review copy of this book!
I love stories about girls and women in sports and this graphic novel was no different. I will say the mascot side story was a bit odd and somewhat unnecessary to me, but the payoff of it made it worth it. The illustrations and story were both great and I loved the emphasis on team sports being about the team, not the individual. Finally, the addition of the girls’ basketball team’s undefeated season and subsequent championship and the added tidbit of women and girls sports only receiving 5% of media coverage was very much appreciated as someone who is a huge advocate for increased media coverage of women’s sports. Overall, this was a wonderful book that would be inspiring for any young athlete looking to pave their way in their sport.
I love stories about girls and women in sports and this graphic novel was no different. I will say the mascot side story was a bit odd and somewhat unnecessary to me, but the payoff of it made it worth it. The illustrations and story were both great and I loved the emphasis on team sports being about the team, not the individual. Finally, the addition of the girls’ basketball team’s undefeated season and subsequent championship and the added tidbit of women and girls sports only receiving 5% of media coverage was very much appreciated as someone who is a huge advocate for increased media coverage of women’s sports. Overall, this was a wonderful book that would be inspiring for any young athlete looking to pave their way in their sport.
July 14, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised that the conflict of Al being a girl on the baseball team is resolved rather quickly to make way for the true conflict.
It was really good about not deriving someone down to one story. There are two subplots: one about putting yourself out there to make friends and learning not to take no for an answer.
The subplot with Al’s friend Viv was much weaker, and I was not too fond of that resolution.
It was really good about not deriving someone down to one story. There are two subplots: one about putting yourself out there to make friends and learning not to take no for an answer.
The subplot with Al’s friend Viv was much weaker, and I was not too fond of that resolution.
January 4, 2024
There's just something so wonderful about reading a book as an adult and realizing how much you would have loved it as a kid. It's like a book-ish time machine reading experience. That's totally was this was. Alexandra (Al) has aspirations of playing for her middle school baseball team, and her friends encourage her to go for it even though it's always been boys only. She makes the team, and she's met with a variety of challenges and frustrations as she does. There were also delightful subplots about the mascot and just finding where you fit in a school. I absolutely adored this one. This graphic novel series just captures middle school feels (that adults can connect with, too) in such a perfect way! Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this May 2024 release!
May 23, 2024
Tryouts is graphic novel that touches on the difficulties still present for women in sports today. I was never a sporty girl so I didn’t understand Al’s challenges but I felt as if her problems were my own. Sax does an excellent job of creating relatable characters for whom you want to reach through the pages to comfort and help. The camaraderie in Tryouts took me back to high school and made me nostalgic for my own team (granted, my student leadership team at my church rather than a sports team). I felt drawn to the characters and their stories portrayed in vibrant colors on the page. Sax did an excellent job of this novel and I would highly recommend it to middle graders still looking to find their place in school (whether or not they are sporty).
September 2, 2024
4 stars (I really liked it)
It's funny because I remember that I really loved Picture Day but then I actually don't remember a whole lot about the characters in that book . So I can't really chime in on if you have to read that book to enjoy this one. Probably not. They seem more like stand alones.
I liked Tryouts. While it focused mostly on Al, a girl who wants to play baseball but there is no girls baseball team so she plays on the boys team, there are also sub stories about other characters who are also trying to find the place where they belong.
It's funny because I remember that I really loved Picture Day but then I actually don't remember a whole lot about the characters in that book . So I can't really chime in on if you have to read that book to enjoy this one. Probably not. They seem more like stand alones.
I liked Tryouts. While it focused mostly on Al, a girl who wants to play baseball but there is no girls baseball team so she plays on the boys team, there are also sub stories about other characters who are also trying to find the place where they belong.
November 30, 2024
Reading 2024
Book 252: Tryouts by Sarah Sax
Another book I had on my shelf from earlier this year, grabbed it even though it is not for #nonfictionnovember. Reviewed for middle grade readers. This book is the second in a series, though they are stand alone reads.
Synopsis: It's warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title?
Review: I felt a connection with Al trying to make the boys’ team having wanted to play boys’ sports more as a kid. Enjoyed the saga of a baseball team in a rebuilding year with all the drama of middle school kids. My rating 4⭐️.
Book 252: Tryouts by Sarah Sax
Another book I had on my shelf from earlier this year, grabbed it even though it is not for #nonfictionnovember. Reviewed for middle grade readers. This book is the second in a series, though they are stand alone reads.
Synopsis: It's warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title?
Review: I felt a connection with Al trying to make the boys’ team having wanted to play boys’ sports more as a kid. Enjoyed the saga of a baseball team in a rebuilding year with all the drama of middle school kids. My rating 4⭐️.
May 1, 2024
Al is disappointed that her Little League career ends, but is encouraged to try out for boys baseball in middle school. The team has been great but this is a rebuilding year. Al gets a lot of attention for being the first girl on her team, which irritates the boys and they all don’t get along. With the help of the new mascot, they decide to change the narrative and point out on a news story that while the baseball team with one girl is not the champs everyone hoped for, the girls basketball team is winning championships and should be the news focus.
Glad to get this title as a young patron has asked for it weeks ago.
Glad to get this title as a young patron has asked for it weeks ago.
May 19, 2024
Tryouts is the second in the series of The Brinkley Yearbooks graphic novels for intermediate grade readers. In this story, main character Alexandria decides to try out for the boy's baseball team. Because of her talents, she makes the team but soon becomes a bit of a distraction when everyone wats to focus on "the girl on the boys' team" story. The team and Al have to find a way to get past the distraction and focus on a winning season. The choice of a graphic format really let's Sax capture the baseball team in action at practice and in games. It's a good story about breaking barriers and the need to work together.
February 27, 2024
This was such a good story and something I wish I had when I was a kid. I played every sport they would let me play, and I didn't know enough to push for the sports that I wanted to play but couldn't because I was "a girl". I love that there are women who stepped up and asked questions and pushed past the first NO to be allowed to play a sport that they love. This made me want to go back in time and tell my younger self that it was okay to play whatever I wanted to play and I was "allowed" to do whatever I wanted. Such a good book!
March 15, 2024
Al is the only girl on her school's baseball team, which isn't a big deal to her - she played rec league and just wants to play more ball. When the media get wind of the story, she becomes a bigger deal than she intended and the other team members start to resent it. Clueless adults make everything worse. On the other hand, the team has a nonbinary member who even uses a special restroom to change, and the media is curiously uninterested in that. Nonetheless, a good story with great art and a really enjoyable supporting cast. Read for SLJ story on sports graphic novels.
April 21, 2024
Superb follow-up to Picture Day, which I also really enjoyed. Sax is doing a great job at taking this series in unexpected, refreshing directions. I appreciated the cameos of characters from the first book, but I also really loved Al as the main character. Themes of personal improvement, trying new things, gender equality, and teamwork are well communicated. A winner!
TW: misogyny
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
TW: misogyny
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
April 28, 2024
I received an ARC from Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers via Net Galley. This middle grade graphic novel follows 7th grader Al as she tryouts for the boys baseball team. This is a cute middle school slice of life story. While it is the 2nd in a series, you don’t have to read Picture Day to enjoy Al’s story. It is a nice balance of school life, family, friendship overcoming challenges and teamwork. Good incorporation of secondary characters. Easy to read, fun, and affirming.
June 7, 2024
4 stars
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley.
Alexandra "Al" Olsen loves everything about baseball. She just wants to keep playing. She tries out for the Brinkley baseball team and makes it, Although the girls' basketball team has an undefeated season, Al's inclusion on the baseball team becomes a news story, dividing the nascent baseball team and putting even more pressure on them to earn another consecutive championship. Always realistic and empathetic, Sarah Sax nails middle school and gives middles schoolers hope.
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley.
Alexandra "Al" Olsen loves everything about baseball. She just wants to keep playing. She tries out for the Brinkley baseball team and makes it, Although the girls' basketball team has an undefeated season, Al's inclusion on the baseball team becomes a news story, dividing the nascent baseball team and putting even more pressure on them to earn another consecutive championship. Always realistic and empathetic, Sarah Sax nails middle school and gives middles schoolers hope.
September 18, 2024
This graphic novel is set in the same school with some of the same characters as Picture Day, this hilarious take on middle school life for Al (Alexandra) who only wants to play baseball, Milo who decides to get out of their comfort zone and join the art club, and Viv (star of Picture Day) who is outraged at the lack of attention the championship girls basketball team is receiving. Viv decides to resurrect the old mascot (a goose) which upsets the current mascot (a Martian). This story revolves around Al and her baseball-loving family.
March 13, 2024
This was a cute second installment of The Brinkley Yearbooks series with a nice message about teamwork, exploring your interests, and finding your people. Similarly to the first book (Picture Day), I wasn’t blown away, but this is likely to be popular at the elementary school where I work.
* Thanks to Random House / Knopf Books for Young Readers for the NetGalley review copy. TRYOUTS publishes May 7, 2024.
* Thanks to Random House / Knopf Books for Young Readers for the NetGalley review copy. TRYOUTS publishes May 7, 2024.
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