Rebecca Vogelezang Goodreads.com Review:
For starters, this is one of Spinelli's books that's maybe meant for a little bit more mature of an audience - we've got gross tongue kissing and ear licking (ew!) and a few other details that definitely pushes this into a Middle Grades book.

That being said, there are lots of things that make this a great read for middle schoolers. First, it's pretty clear straight from the start this is a book about challenging gender norms. At the same time, there are some dynamics in here that didn't follow the usual trope. Maisie's best friend is disgusted when Maisie tries out for the wrestling team. The entire book I waited for Maisie and Holly to make up, but they never did! Paint me surprised - best friends in middle grades books nearly ALWAYS get "back together" after the best friend realizes how brave the other was being by going against gender norms. We don't get that here and I LIKE IT. It feels much more realistic. I also like Maisie as a narrator. She's funny and a tad dramatic but not in an over the top way.

Some things I didn't like and that need to be called out. There's some non-sexual fetishization of darker skin in here. Maisie's friend Tina visits her home and Maisie's little sister is shocked by Tina's skin color. She immediately touches her face and asks if she too can grow up to be brown. Whether you read this with your class or if your child reads this independently, a conversation needs to be had around this scene and the inappropriateness of TK's actions. Black and brown folks aren't part of the world for white folks to touch and gawk over.

Overall, this book had me laughing quite a few times and I think it's worth the read!

Probably not Spinelli's best, but still a fun read. Maisie is both athletic and a real girl, and her family is fascinating. Unfortunately there were a few cardboard characters - but a reader could say, well, that's just Maisie's interpretation of their personalities, and she's young. I also liked the coach and the other players. Spinelli writes simply gracefully - a quick smooth read with a lot to discuss - probably very good for reluctant readers' book reports. ( )

Published 17 years ago, the main themes of gender equity, social bias and boy-girl relationships are relevant and will find an audience with middle school readers today. Maisie Potter, the main character and first person narrator, is competitive. She is her school's athlete of the year. When she isn't chosen as a cheerleader she can't believe it. Simultaneously, she is developing a major crush on Eric Delong, the cutest boy in school, who already has a girlfriend who did make the cheerleading squad. Conflict sustains interest, provokes thought and moves the plot forward to a tidy conclusion. ( )

This book is about a girl who signs up for wherstling in 8th grade and gets lunght at. she mets the man of her dreams and at the end believes the he was a lerk. she then has on pin in her wherstling season and also in practice. ( )