Gold medal summer

Resource Information

The work Gold medal summer represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Austin Public Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

This resource has been enriched with EBSCO NoveList data.

Label

Gold medal summer

Statement of responsibility

Donna Freitas

Creator

• trueFreitas, Donna

Subject

• trueCompetition
• Competition (Psychology) -- Fiction
• Competition (Psychology) -- Juvenile fiction
• trueFamilies -- Rhode Island
• Families -- Rhode Island -- Juvenile fiction
• Family life -- Rhode Island -- Fiction
• trueFourteen-year-old girls
• trueGymnastics
• Gymnastics -- Fiction
• Gymnastics -- Juvenile fiction
• Interpersonal relations -- Fiction
• Interpersonal relations -- Juvenile fiction
• Sisters -- Juvenile fiction
• trueTeenage girl athletes
• trueTeenage girl gymnasts
• trueTeenage girls
• trueRhode Island
• Rhode Island -- Fiction
• Rhode Island -- Juvenile fiction
• trueSisters
• Sisters -- Fiction

Genre

• Fiction
• Juvenile fiction

Language

eng

Summary

After fourteen-year-old Joey experiences her first kiss and learns that her best friend wants to quit competitive gymnastics, she considers giving up her dream of winning gold medals in order to have a normal life, even as her sister and assistant coach urge her to reach a new level

Review

• Grades 5-8 Fourteen-year-old Joey Jordan accepts the demands of gymnastics: grueling practices, the necessity for intense focus, and a promise to avoid boys. She’s hopeful she can finally medal at this summer’s regional competition, but she’s afraid the program her coach has chosen for her doesn’t maximize her strengths. Further complicating matters, Joey’s best friend quits the sport; her parents aren’t especially supportive of her goals; and a former friend, Tanner, returns to town looking very cute. Former competitive gymnast Freitas writes knowingly of the requirements of this sport and never sugarcoats descriptions of competing through injury, confidence-destroying snide remarks from competitors, and seemingly cruel ultimatums from coaches. Joey opts to remain in her sport, and her confrontation with her coach is successful because she has matured emotionally. Subplots involving Joey’s sister (who quit the sport at 15) and a helpful assistant coach are also well integrated. A cut above the usual sports series fare, this makes a good choice for gymnastic fans not quite ready for Joshua C. Cohen’s Leverage (2011). -- Weisman, Kay (Reviewed 06-01-2012) (Booklist, vol 108, number 19, p98)
• Joey Jordan, 14, craves one thing: to win gold at the Regionals gymnastics meet this summer, and she’s willing to go against her parents’ wishes and give up a “normal” teenage life to do it. But Joey’s competitiveness falters when her best friend, Alex, decides to quit gymnastics, and a cute boy from her past shows up and wants to hang out. In her first middle-grade novel, YA author and PW contributor Freitas (The Survival Kit) offers young readers plenty to relate to: living in the shadow of a perfect older sibling, battling with parents over life’s choices, and handling insecurities that make it seem like failure is looming large. Her story also focuses intently on gymnastics: its demanding training, the rivalries between competitors, and the challenges of a sport that requires physicality, grace, and showmanship. It’s a predictable but enjoyable story of a girl overcoming obstacles to realize her dreams, and for readers who have dreamed of trying out the balance beam or uneven bars, Joey’s story will be captivating. Ages 9–12. Agent: Miriam Altshuler, Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency. (June) --Staff (Reviewed April 30, 2012) (Publishers Weekly, vol 259, issue 18, p)
• Gr 5 – 8 — Elite gymnast Joey, 13, is willing to do anything to compete with the best. Although she's not the most powerful gymnast, her artistic expression and winning personality make her a standout, as long as her hang-ups, including taunts from rival Sarah, don't undo her concentration. Even a budding relationship with a former childhood friend must take a backseat to daily hours-long competition. Frustrated with Coach Angelo's refusal to allow her to tweak her routines to showcase her strengths, Joey secretly works with the assistant coach, Maureen, and older sister Julia, once a National Champion, on new routines for the New England regional competition. Although the ending may be a bit predictable, it is satisfying. Joey is likable and believable; even readers unfamiliar with gymnastics will identify with her friendship and first-relationship issues. Due to this year's London Olympics, this novel will probably have a wide audience. Freitas is a former competitive gymnast, and her descriptions of routines are taut and eye-opening. Although the hardships of the sport are not underplayed, this is a largely positive novel about hard work and self-confidence.—Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA --Jennifer Schultz (Reviewed June 1, 2012) (Library Journal, vol 58, issue 6, p120)

Cataloging source

DLC

Dewey number

[Fic]

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

no index present

Intended audience

790L

Intended audience source

Lexile

Interest level

MG

LC call number

PZ7.F8844

LC item number

Gol 2012

Literary form

fiction

http://library.link/vocab/ext/novelist/minGradeLevel

• 5
• 8

Reading level

4.7

Study program name

Accelerated Reader AR

Target audience

adolescent