Play Like a Girl

by Misty Wilson (Author) David Wilson (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

Debut author Misty Wilson chronicles her seventh-grade experience as the only girl on her town's football team in this empowering graphic memoir about teamwork, friendship, crushes, and touchdowns.

Misty never shies away from a challenge, on or off the field. So when the boys tell her she can't play football, there's only one thing to do: join their team and show them what she's got. But the training is rougher than she thought--and so are the other guys, who aren't thrilled about having a girl on their team.

Middle school isn't so easy, either. Misty wants to fit in with the popular kids, but they think a girl playing football is "weird." Even her best friend doesn't get it.

Can Misty find a way to score points with her teammates, make new friends, and show everyone--including herself--what it means to play like a girl?

"I am a huge fan of Misty and her courageous journey of staying true to herself. Readers will love her!" --Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series

"This is the book I wish I'd had as a kid. Misty's passion for football and her fight to play in a male-dominated sport while balancing friendship and crushes makes for a winning read!" --Dr. Jen Welter, first female NFL coach, first female running back in men's pro football, and founder of Grrridiron Girls

This book is currently unavailable.

Kirkus Reviews

Middle school drama hits hard in this coming-of-age graphic memoir... [that] will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself.

Publisher's Weekly

Seventh grader Misty tackles middle school politics in a heartening graphic memoir. Expressive and brightly colored art, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier's, deftly captures early 2000s fashion and complicated football plays. Misty's busy blended family's dynamics are refreshing, and conversations surrounding social exclusion are sensitively rendered in this cathartic story of sports and identity.

Review quotes

"I am a huge fan of Misty and her courageous journey of staying true to herself. Readers will love her!" — Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series

"This is the book I wish I'd had as a kid. Misty's passion for football and her fight to play in a male-dominated sport while balancing friendship and crushes makes for a winning read!" — Dr. Jen Welter, first female NFL coach, first female running back in men's pro football, and founder of Grrridiron Girls

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780063064683
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
N/A
Publication date
September 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF023000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Girls & Women
JNF062010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Biography
JNF007100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Sports & Recreation
JNF062040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Social Topics
Library of Congress categories
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