Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara - ADVISABLE

Eva to the Max by Rebecca Caprara, 400 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE. Dial Books (Penguin), 2026. $10

(pb).

Language: G (0 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Some intense motocross racing accidents, realistic physical injuries like chipped teeth)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Motocross is everything to 12yo Evelyn Rae (known on the track as "Eva Knievel"). She

loves the thrill of competition and pushing herself to get better and faster. But after

some bullying at her old school, Eva is determined to keep her passion completely hidden

from her new classmates. Her father, a former racer who now uses a wheelchair

due to a stunt accident, helps her train, but the sport is draining her family's tight budget,

and her mom disapproves of her racing. When a reckless mistake wrecks her bike

and threatens her shot at qualifying for the AMA National Championship, Eva has to

face the steep physical and financial costs of her dream. Making matters more complicated,

a new girl named Cam arrives at school, threatening not only Eva's secret identity

but her spot on the podium.

Rebecca Caprara delivers a fast-paced novel-in-verse that captures the grit and intensity

of dirt bike racing. Eva’s fierce competitive drive and hot temper feel authentic to

the tween experience, and readers will empathize with her complicated relationship

with her mother, who is understandably terrified of her daughter getting injured.

The story does a great job of breaking down stereotypes about what it means to be a

"sporty girl" and handles themes of sportsmanship, economic privilege, and shifting

relationships without being overly preachy. While the book leans on a few familiar

tropes—such as the "secret passion" and the classic rivalry turning into teamwork—the

unique subject matter makes it stand out. There is a shortage of sports fiction specifically

highlighting female athletes, making this a good option, particularly for reluctant

readers drawn to high-speed action. An informative historical note about the real trailblazers

of women’s motocross is included at the back.

Eva and her family default white. Eva's father is a wheelchair user.

Reviewer: Heather Robinson, Elementary School Librarian

Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson - OPTIONAL

Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson, 384 pages. Penguin, 2025 $20 

Language: R (10 Swears 5 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Kissing); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

16yo Jaelyn goes to the Westside Roll every Saturday night. It's a part of her life, her parents met there, she learned to skate there, and her friends are all the regulars. One skate, she was crashed into by the cutest guy she's ever seen: Trey. But the gentrification of the community is causing changes everywhere, even to institutions like Westside Roll. So when she hears that the skating rink is closing down, Jaelyn feels like she's losing a part of herself. 

This coming-of-age, slice-of-life story was nostalgic and heartfelt. Jaelyn is dealing with the typical teen issues of friend trouble and divorced parents, as well as more societal issues like raised rent, closed stores and restaurants, and increased police presence. I liked the teen perspective of dealing with things out of your control. 

The characters are black 

Lisa Librarian

Kickturn by Brie Spangler - ADVISABLE

 

Kickturn by Brie Spangler, 180 pages. Knopf (Random House), 2025 $18.00 Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some skateboarding injuries)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

10yo Lindy travels with her family in a converted school bus through the national parks in the west. Her mom makes internet content, her dad does the filming and Lindy watches youtubes of her favorite skateboarder rather than working on her home schooling assignments. But when the bus breaks down in San Jose, Lindy makes a couple of friends who teach her how to board, and Lindy really wants to stay and live a normal life off the road. Then, when the girls find out the their idol Kentucky Jones is coming to San Jose, Lindy is willing to do almost anything to keep them from moving on, even if it means sabotaging the bus. 

I liked the conflict. Lindy unable to get her parents to see her and her problems - lots of 10 year olds feel that way. The ending ties up a bit too quickly and neatly for my taste. Spangler who is also an illustrator has filled Kickturn with great pictures but also fun skateboarding content, additional “scenes” and informative instructional panels. The print is large (14.25 point) and with all the illustrations, some full page and multi page, Kickturn is a deceptively quick read for a 4th-5th grader looking for exciting skateboard action and a nice coming of age story. The illustrations of Lindy and her family default white.

Lisa Librarian

How it Happened: Skateboards – the cool stories and facts behind every trick by Paige Towler - ADVISABLE

How it Happened: Skateboards – the cool stories and facts behind every trick by Paige Towler. Union Square, 2024. $19. 9781454945024

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Towler takes us in a fact-filled, but simple, look at the history of skateboarding – from the early days of surfing (2000 BCE) onto the present day.  Towler even-handedly looks at early innovators – both male and female – and works hard to give credit to the right people in each instance. I love that Patti McGee, the skateboard handstander, is even included!  With four books in the series, this set is ripe for a mini display of its own.

Cindy, MS Library Teacher

Slamdown Town by Maxwell Nicoll and Matthew Smith - OPTIONAL

Slamdown Town by Maxwell Nicoll and Matthew Smith, 320 pages. Amulet Books (Abrams),

2020. $15.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

11yo Ollie is a professional wrestling fiend.  He and his brother, Hollis, were raised on wrestling, since their mother was a pro wrestler before turning referee.  Ollie’s world changes when Hollis buys him some used gum chewed by Ollie’s hero wrestler, Professor Pain.  The gum transforms Ollie into a buff pro wrestler named Big Chew.  But life isn’t a barrel of singlets:  the Slamdown Town  Arena is in danger of being shut down, Hollis is a bully, and Ollie’s friendship with his best friend is in jeopardy.

Finally, there is a book for professional wrestling fans. There is no explanation about why the ABC (Already Been Chewed) gum works or why it would have been sold on the Internet instead of being thrown away.  If you can get past this weird plot point, the story is fun, if predictable.  Cool wrestlers and themes of family and friendship make pro wrestling fun for the junior set. 

Michelle in the Middle

Kenzie Kickstarts a Team by Kit Rosewater - OPTIONAL

Kenzie Kickstarts a Team (The Derby Daredevils) by Kit Rosewater, 151 pages. Amulet Books (Abrams), 2020, $15.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

Fifth grader Kenzie has dreamed of being on a roller derby team as long as she can remember.  Together with her best friend, Shelly, they want to try out for a derby team.  In order to stay together, they need to put together a team of five girls before tryouts.  This causes some changes in the girls’ friendships as they go from being besties to team players. 

Yay, a book for roller derby girls!  Though sadly, there isn’t a whole lot of plot besides the title.  Kenzie puts together a team and she struggles with putting Bree on the team because she has feelings for her.  Fifth grade seems a little young to be thinking of relationships, though there isn’t anything beyond feelings and brushing fingertips. The ending leaves the book open for a sequel, yet wraps up the storyline.  This is friendship/relationship angst with a dose of derby. 

Michelle in the Middle

Breaking the Ice by Gail Nall - ADVISABLE

Nall, Gail Breaking the Ice, 306 pgs. Simon and Schuster, 2015. $7.99.  

Language: G ( 0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.   

12-year-old Kaitlin figure skates for the competitive Ridgeline club, but when a low score leads to Kaitlin yelling at the judges and subsequently pulling down the medals table, Kaitlin is kick off the team.  As word spreads about her outburst, none of the other clubs in the area want her, so she joins the Fallton Club, the only rink and coach that will accept her.  Can Kaitlin put together a different routine and get it ready in time for regionals? 

This book covers so many teen issues: making friends, dealing with mean people, finding your own voice, dating, doing the right thing (doing the wrong thing), working hard for something you really want.  This well written clean read is a perfect middle school girl choice; authentic issues the girls can relate to, with practical solutions and outcomes.   

MS - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian

Who Dares? by Krista Blakeney Bell - ADVISABLE

Bell, Krista Blakeney Who Dares?(Book2), 176 pgs. Kane Miller. $4.99.

Content: G

Now great friends, Rhys and Toby are set to compete in a surfing competition.There are a few mysteries in the resort town where the competition is taking place, and the boys may need to help. They are also asked to befriend a sulky skateboarder, will they be able to break down some barriers and make a new friend? Not to mention the excitement of the surfing competition.

As a second book in this series, I also really liked this book! The well built friendship between the two boys lends itself well to the added mysteries of this book. Students will love these mysteries, as well as the surfing competition, and the skate boarding.

EL –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

Who Cares? by Krista Blakeney Bell - ADVISABLE

Bell, Krista Blakeney Who Cares?(Book1), 176 pgs. Kane Miller. $4.99. 

Content-G

When Rhys and Toby are thrown together on a weeklong beach vacation, they are both dreading it. When Rhys turns out to be a good surf teacher, a friendship starts. Both boys have a big secret and trying to hide those secrets turns out to be harder than they thought. Surfing is a common thread and adds to the fun.

I really enjoyed this book! The author creates a naturally built friendship just in time for these boys who both really need a real friend. Students will enjoy the surfing and the banter.

EL – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.