Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen by Beth Mills
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1541528972
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

The message is clear the storyline is believable and the digital painted illustrations are well done.  Ella is a talented kickball player who has never before met a challenge.  When one of her famous kicks is caught by a new classmate Ella does not handle the situation well.  Eventually her meltdown ends but her day is spent thinking about her reaction.

This title would be appreciated by classroom teachers, guidance counselors, gym instructors and coaches.  Adults will find lots of discussion points concerning anger, frustration and sportsmanship behavior.  Since this is Mills first book, I look forward to additional titles in the future.  Primary school media specialist should consider this picture book for their shelves and youth services librarians will want to add it to their collections.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton,  retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME