First published 2015
Astrid has spent every summer with Nicole by her side. The two twelve-year-olds do everything together, so when Astrid discovers roller derby camp and decides to sign up, she naturally expects Nicole to join her. Instead, Nicole chooses dance camp with a different friend, leaving Astrid to face the roller derby rink alone. Now Astrid must navigate her first summer without her best friend while learning to balance on wheels and find her place among new teammates. The roller derby camp becomes more than just learning to skate. It becomes Astrid's chance to discover who she is when she's not half of a pair. As she struggles with new friendships, physical challenges, and the pain of growing apart from someone she thought would always be there, Astrid learns that sometimes the hardest summers teach you the most about yourself.
Genres: family-life, friendship, coming-of-age, contemporary, adolescence, sports
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: best-friends, fish-out-of-water, found-family
215 pages · Paperback · Dial Books