Tryouts (The Brinkley Yearbooks #2) by Sarah Sax
Published by Random House Graphic on May 7, 2024
ISBN: 0593306929
Pages: 277
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Sports
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

A solid realistic fiction graphic novel from the author of Picture Day. Using yearbook-like interludes to offer additional back story, this title follows Al, a female pitcher who would like to tryout for the boys baseball team. She is encouraged to by her friends, who are also trying out new things like joining a new club and bringing back a forgotten middle school mascot. The illustrations are clear, bright, and lively. The story offers interesting points of discussion: about Title IX sports, about school traditions, and about being a good teammate. A book for this age group, grades 3 through 7, would always benefit from chapter breaks. Sax does use interludes that mimic a yearbook page and these offer additional voices and background, but they are spread out throughout the book and they are not entirely obvious breaks in the plot. There are many diverse characters. Fans of realistic graphic novels like Click by Kayla Miller, Fifth Quarter by Mike Dawson, and anything Raina Telgemeier will appreciate this title.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School