Swing

(Paperback)

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Description

Debut author/illustrator Audrey Meeker playfully explores complicated friendships, gender norms, and navigating other people's expectations in this charming middle grade graphic novel. Marcus McCalister wants to fit in. So much so that he's still playing on a soccer team with his childhood friend Ted, despite not liking soccer-or Ted-all that much. Izzy Briggs wants to stand out. Being labeled the "weird kid" for her bold fashion choices is the price an aspiring designer must pay for a life of greatness-but being confident isn't always easy. So when Izzy and Marcus are paired together to perform a swing dance routine for a gym project, it's no surprise that everything goes up in flames, including their grade in the class. Until their gym teacher proposes a deal: if the pair performs the swing routine in the upcoming talent show, they'll receive extra credit and a passing grade. They accept. . . but Izzy has her own proposal for Marcus: this time, she gets to be the lead.

Reviews

Praise for Swing:

"A satisfying whole . . . eighth -graders will delight in finding mirrors for their increasingly self-aware lives." --School Library Journal

"The quickly moving plot feels fresh . . . A friendship-focused coming-of-age story that successfully challenges gender stereotypes." --Kirkus

Author Bio

Audrey Meeker is a recent graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she acquired her BFA in Sequential Art and minor in Creative Writing. During college, Audrey was introduced to swing dancing by her roommate and quickly made weekly lessons a part of her routine. Now, she's fulfilling her dream by working in the comics industry as both an editor and artist (and planning on picking up swing dancing lessons again in the near future). When she's not answering emails, you can find Audrey playing with dogs, going on long walks, and drinking a too-sweet cup of tea.