“Girls can’t Hit” is by T. S. Easton, the author of “Boys don’t Knit.” It is not a direct sequel, but is a kind of spiritual successor. In this story, Fleur is a British teenager who has two parents who argue often. Her mother is extremely overprotective, to a ludicrous degree. When Fleur decides on a whim to try out boxing, her mother and father are both upset. Fleur finds out that she really enjoys the way that boxing makes her feel powerful and alive, even though her parents, friends, and longtime boyfriend do not understand.

There is a decent amount of British slang, which may throw off American teens a bit, as well as a lot of teen drinking, since British teenagers can drink in pubs. But other than that, it has very relatable moments for all readers. There are feminist themes as Fleur discovers who she wants to be and the book handles difficult issues with realistic humor. I would recommend this book for YA readers of realistic fiction, especially if they enjoy British fiction. I may not have loved all aspects of the book, but by the end I was seriously considering trying out boxing.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook