Book Description
for Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson and David Henry Wilson
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Misty is fiercely competitive and loves sports, especially football. When she decides to join the football team in seventh grade, she convinces her best friend, Bree, to do it with her. Bree doesn’t love the sport or the hard work and soon quits, but Misty sticks with it, earning a place in the starting lineup. Misty Wilson recounts the singular year in her life when she was not only navigating her position as the only girl on the football team—most players respect her, though one refuses to accept her presence—but also the changing relationships and social pressures of middle school that leave her feeling uncertain about where she fits in. At home, Misty’s stepdad is especially enthusiastic about her playing; but Misty feels ignored in general by her mom, who is overwhelmed caring for young twins. At the same time, Misty ignores her younger sister without seeing the parallels. The sports, friendship, and family storylines all seamlessly intertwine in this lively, honest, sometimes painfully funny (e.g., Misty’s first foray into using makeup) graphic memoir. (Ages 10-13)
CCBC Choices 2023. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2023. Used with permission.