Description
Mateo always assumed he’d make the baseball team with his buddy Jason, but when only Jason makes the team, his mood sinks low. So low, he knows he has to do something about it. But what? What can he be good at? When Mateo wins free lessons, he discovers he’s pretty good at roller skating. And it doesn’t hurt that the most beautiful girl he’s ever laid eyes on happens to be Roller City’s star skater. But still, roller skating? No way can Jason find out Mateo is whirling around in girly skates—anybody halfway to cool would be hanging at a skate park, on boards or blades. Other issues stacked against him are the strong reservations of his mother, who feels Mateo should be spending his time studying, not skating, and his inability to eat gluten—no more grabbing a pizza with the guys. Despite these conflicts, Mateo keeps his sense of humor and channels his innermost strength into an incredible ride on roller skates that just might take him all the way to regionals.
Margo –
Any middle schooler who feels pangs of insecurity from time to time (and which one doesn’t?), who worries about fitting in (again, did we say “middle schooler”?), or a need to make parents and friends proud of him or herself (hands in the air, anyone?) will find ROLLER BOY a delightful read. Award-winning author of many middle grade novels Marcia Strykowski skillfully weaves together a tale of Mateo (“Tomato”), a Hispanic young man trying to navigate the perilous waters of middle school and the bullies in the neighborhood and wanting to find acceptance and affirmation. Discovering an unlikely venue for his achievement, roller skating, Mateo grows in confidence and develops an ability to follow his dream, despite the bullies, the snarky competitors, and trying to be gluten-free in a pizza-filled, snack-saturated middle school world. Strykowski is pitch-perfect with Mateo’s voice, and her insights into the mind of a thirteen-year-old boy are humorous and poignant, a tribute to her writing skill which is demonstrated in all of the believably-drawn characters. Her exciting and fluid descriptions of the skating scenes make one want to lace on a pair of skates and take to the roller rink. Young readers will be encouraged to have hope for their own dreams, despite having to deal all the angst that accompanies middle school existence. Wit, insight, and heart are paramount in this enjoyable read!