Books like 'Alex's Challenge'
Readers who enjoyed Alex's Challenge by Melissa J. Morgan also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary realistic coming-of-age sports children friendship season-summer myths female-mc retellings
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Completely Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThis delightful New York Times bestselling chapter book series, from the award-winning author of Pax , is a modern classic that has been keeping readers engaged and laughing as they follow the hijinks of Clementine, a clever and quirky third grader who’s the most spectacular friend around. Perfect for fans of Amelia Bedelia and Ivy + Bean!Summer is coming, and Clementine is not ready...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship season-summer children-books fiction humor middle-grade -
![A Horse of Her Own by Annie Wedekind]()
A Horse of Her Own by Annie Wedekind
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA girl who longs for her own horse is given the chance to care for a troubled, damaged horse, who needs her as much as she needs him.Fourteen-year-old Jane Ryan has always dreamed of having a horse of her own―but so long as she gets to ride her favorite school horse, Beau, at Sunny Acres farm, she's content. And this is the summer she means to try out for the advanced riding class... -
![Madame President by Nancy E. Krulik]()
Madame President by Nancy E. Krulik
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBest-selling author Nancy Krulik delves into the mind of a twelve-year-old girl trying to survive middle school.Jenny McAfee never thought of herself as a leader, but then again, Jenny had also never thought that her best friend, Addie Wilson, would ditch her for the Pops-- the most popular kids in school...Categorized as:
children friendship realistic children-books contemporary fiction middle-grade womens-fiction -
![I Promise by LeBron James]()
I Promise by LeBron James
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsNBA champion and superstar LeBron James pens a slam-dunk picture book inspired by his foundation’s I PROMISE program that motivates children everywhere to always #StriveForGreatness.Just a kid from Akron, Ohio, who is dedicated to uplifting youth everywhere, LeBron James knows the key to a better future is to excel in school, do your best, and keep your family close... -
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![This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune]()
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThis summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won’t give into temptation. This summer will be different.Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother...Categorized as:
season-summer coming-of-age female-mc friendship romance contemporary fiction womens-fiction -
![BFF*: Just As Long As We're Together / Here's to You, Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume]()
BFF*: Just As Long As We're Together / Here's to You, Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIn this new bind-up, Judy Blume's two stories about three best friends will reach a new set of girls. Stephanie, Rachel and Alison know there will be plenty of family issues, broken hearts, and tough school assignments as they make their way through junior high. But with a good pair of friends, a girl can do anything...Categorized as:
coming-of-age realistic children female-mc friendship young-adult fiction middle-grade -
![The Summer of June by Jamie Sumner]()
The Summer of June by Jamie Sumner
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA middle grade book about a young girl who sets out to overcome her anxiety over the course of one life-changing summer.Twelve-year-old June Delancey is kicking summer off with a bang. She shaves her head and sets two goals: she will beat her anxiety and be the lion she knows she can be, instead of the mouse everyone sees...Categorized as:
realistic season-summer friendship children female-mc middle-grade mental-illness fiction -
![Sprinkles and Secrets by Lisa Schroeder, Nathalie Dion]()
Sprinkles and Secrets by Lisa Schroeder, Nathalie Dion
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIn this companion novel to It's Raining Cupcakes, twelve-year-old Sophie has a dream come true when she's offered a TV commercial spot...Categorized as:
children friendship realistic children-books contemporary fiction middle-grade young-adult -
![On Herring Cove Road: Mr. Rosen and His 43Lb Anxiety by Michael Kroft]()
On Herring Cove Road: Mr. Rosen and His 43Lb Anxiety by Michael Kroft
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOnce an amusing extrovert with a reputation as a prankster, Mr. Rosen is entering his retirement years as a stoic thirty-year converted introvert who has no interest in people, despises change, and is more than content to have his wife navigate his life... -
![Katie and the Cupcake War by Coco Simon]()
Katie and the Cupcake War by Coco Simon
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSydney Whitman, leader of Popular Girls Club has moved away! Does that mean Callie will try to be friends with Katie again? Just when Katie thinks things might get back to normal, Callir announces that the Popular Girls Club is baking cupcakes for this year's school fund-raiser...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship female-mc middle-grade children-books fiction contemporary -
![Charmed Forces: Super Special by Melissa J. Morgan]()
Charmed Forces: Super Special by Melissa J. Morgan
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAlyssa finds an amethyst, a stone believed to aid in psychic awareness. Suddenly she?s interpreting dreams and making predictions, all with 100 percent accuracy. While half the camp girls are believers, the other half are skeptics, attributing the gem?s track record to coincidence. Not that Alyssa cares what anyone thinks. In fact, she?s so attached to the amethyst, she names it Amy...Categorized as:
children female-mc friendship realistic season-summer action-adventure book contemporary -
![Rough Waters by Nikki Chartier]()
Rough Waters by Nikki Chartier
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHaley's future has been waiting on the west coast for the past year, but she isn't the only new face in Crescent Cove this summer. When Colby Taylor's parents locate him and interrupt his surf competition, the surf star spirals out of control, dragging Drenaline Surf's reputation through the mud and into the ground with him... -
![When Everything Changes by Michelle Pennington]()
When Everything Changes by Michelle Pennington
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI know everything about boys—except how to kiss one. This summer has been weird.All my friends are finding love and I'm the last one who still hasn't been kissed. Now I have a bet with my friend Piper to see who can meet someone new and get a kiss. I thought it might motivate me because I hate to lose...Categorized as:
season-summer friendship female-mc coming-of-age young-adult contemporary friends-to-lovers romance -
![The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson, Maria Dismondy]()
The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson, Maria Dismondy
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHave you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete's new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about "The Promise"...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship children-books fiction bullying psychological contemporary -
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![Any Day with You by Mae Respicio]()
Any Day with You by Mae Respicio
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA story about a creative girl who hopes that by winning a filmmaking contest, she'll convince her great-grandfather not to move back home to the Philippines.Kaia and her family live near the beach in California, where the fun of moviemaking is all around them. Kaia loves playing with makeup and creating special effects, turning her friends into merfolk and other magical creatures... -
![Accidentally Fooled by Lisa Papademetriou]()
Accidentally Fooled by Lisa Papademetriou
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSeventh grader Amy Flowers is finally making her mark at ultra-exclusive Allington Academy, but there's always one thing standing in her way: the League. They rule the school, and their queen is oh-so-mean Fiona, who doesn't exactly appreciate a new girl invading her turf. This time, Amy's stuck working on a service project with Fiona and preppie know-it-all Preston... -
![Like Bug Juice on a Burger by Julie Sternberg]()
Like Bug Juice on a Burger by Julie Sternberg
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI hate camp. I just hate it. I wish I didn’t. But I do. Being here is worse than bug juice on a burger. Or homework on Thanksgiving. Or water seeping into my shoes. In this sequel to the critically acclaimed Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie, Eleanor is off to summer camp...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age friendship realistic animals children-books contemporary family -
![The Summer I Saved the World . . . in 65 Days by Michele Weber Hurwitz]()
The Summer I Saved the World . . . in 65 Days by Michele Weber Hurwitz
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt's the summer before freshman year in high school and Nina decides to follow what someone said at her middle-school graduation: "Be unnoticed, but be remarkable." Her best friend Jorie is focusing on boys, clothes, and popularity, her lawyer parents are diving into a new case, and this is the first summer without her beloved Grandma, so she's is feeling a little lost...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age female-mc friendship realistic season-summer book contemporary -
![Now I'll Tell You Everything by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor]()
Now I'll Tell You Everything by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt's Alice—for the rest of her life! Yes, the very last Alice book, and it reveals every last bit you'd want to know about Alice, including whether she spends the rest of her life with Patrick! "This is the book where Alice, every girl’s girl, turns into every lady’s lady" (VOYA).Alice McKinley is going to college! And everything, from her room to her classes to her friends, is about to change... -
![Always, Abigail by Nancy J. Cavanaugh]()
Always, Abigail by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAge Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 7 From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet , a hilarious and heartwarming story about cheerleading, popularity, and middle school survival told exclusively through lists and letters...Categorized as:
realistic coming-of-age friendship children season-summer middle-grade fiction contemporary -
![My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe]()
My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAs Ida May begins fourth grade, she is determined never to make another best friend--because her last best friend moved away. This is a doable plan at first. Thanks to bratty, bossy Jenna Drews who hates Ida, no one in class has ever really noticed her before. It's when the sparkly Stacey Merriweather comes to her school that her plan goes awry...Categorized as:
realistic friendship children female-mc middle-grade children-books fiction contemporary -
![Alexis and the Perfect Recipe by Coco Simon, Elizabeth Doyle Carey]()
Alexis and the Perfect Recipe by Coco Simon, Elizabeth Doyle Carey
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe fourth book in Spotlight's fun and delicious tween series is told from the perspective of Alexis, the most organized member of the Cupcake Club...Categorized as:
realistic friendship coming-of-age children middle-grade fiction children-books contemporary -
![Katie, Batter Up! by Coco Simon]()
Katie, Batter Up! by Coco Simon
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA sporty addition to a sweet tween series that’s all about friendship—and cupcakes, of course!Katie’s Cupcake Club friends all have other activities besides making Mia and Alexis are on the soccer team and Emma plays the flute. Katie sets out to find her extracurricular niche and soon she’s dribbling, passing, and catching...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship middle-grade children-books fiction contemporary religion -
![Mia's Baker's Dozen by Coco Simon]()
Mia's Baker's Dozen by Coco Simon
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMia finds that one more in the mix is always better in this treat of a tween series!Mia is getting used to her new family now that her mom is remarried to Eddie and she’s gained a new stepbrother, Dan. She’s in the groove of going to her dad’s house on the weekends, and everything is going pretty well at home and at school. Well, except for Spanish class...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship female-mc middle-grade children-books fiction contemporary -
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![How to Be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days by Lisa Papademetriou]()
How to Be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days by Lisa Papademetriou
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA magazine-article makeover gives middle-school tomboy Nick a brand new look. But can she be a "girly-girl" and still be true to herself?Nicolette Spicer ("Nick" to her friends) is a tomboy through and through. While her friends focus on shopping and lip gloss, Nick would rather buy new basketball shoes and practice her free throw... -
![The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney by Lauren Barnholdt]()
The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney by Lauren Barnholdt
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsMom says karma always comes around to get you, and I guess it's true. Because last summer I was a total liar, and now, right in the middle of Mr. Pritchard's third-period math class, my whole world is about to come crashing down... -
![Full by Julia Spiro]()
Full by Julia Spiro
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTo her followers, she advocates for an authentic and transparent life. In reality, she’s living a perfect lie.Wellness influencer Ava Maloney’s enormous success is based on total transparency, extolling the well-documented virtues of her full, balanced life.But the truth is, Ava’s social media platform is built on a lie. And her double life is beginning to take its toll... -
![Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer, Karissa Vacker]()
Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer, Karissa Vacker
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratings"Heartbreaking, painfully romantic, and deeply human." --Stephanie Garber, #1 bestselling author of CaravalFrom bestselling authors to booksellers and librarians, early readers are obsessed with this debut YA romance pitched as Sarah Dessen meets Adam Silvera, told in alternate timelines and perfect for fans of messy, complicated relationships... -
![Stotan! by Chris Crutcher]()
Stotan! by Chris Crutcher
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsStotan: A cross between a Stoic and a SpartanIt's the last swimming season for Walker, Nortie, Lion, and Jeff, and their coach is building their self-discipline in a grueling four-hour-a-day test of stamina designed to bring them to the outer edge of their capabilities... -
![My Summer of Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald]()
My Summer of Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAt the end of My Life in Pink & Green , Lucy Desberg had just won the grant that would save her family’s pharmacy—and turn it into a modern eco-spa. Now it’s summer, and the work has begun in earnest. Lucy figures that with the spa opening and her sister, Claudia, home, she’ll have a great summer... -
![Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison]()
Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsGeorgia Nicolson's in turmoil. Her cat, Angus (the size of a small labrador), is terrorizing the neighborhood. She went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive. And she's madly in love with Robbie the Sex God, who (sometimes) thinks she's too young for him... -
![Pulled Under by Michelle Dalton]()
Pulled Under by Michelle Dalton
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA shy teen befriends an attractive beach town tourist in this refreshing summertime romance, in the tradition of Sixteenth Summer and Seventeenth Summer . In the small town of Pearl Beach, Florida, Izzy Lucas needs only her surfboard and the water to be completely happy. She wants nothing to do with parties, popularity contests, or showing her face around the clichéd touristy hangouts... -
![Violet in Bloom by Lauren Myracle]()
Violet in Bloom by Lauren Myracle
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsKatie-Rose, Violet, Milla, and Yasaman—four girls with seemingly little in common but their flower names—are nurturing their new friendship and are busy building luvyabunches.com, their very own social-networking site. Their first flower-power task? A doomed campaign to get their school to serve healthier snacks... -
![McKenna by Mary Casanova]()
McKenna by Mary Casanova
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTen-year-old McKenna has always been a good student-and great at gymnastics. So when her grades suddenly begin to fall, her teacher suggests a little extra help from a tutor. McKenna is horrified until she meets her tutor, Josie, a super-confident girl who also happens to be in a wheelchair. Josie encourages McKenna to focus on her strengths and work toward her goals one day at a time...Categorized as:
realistic sports children coming-of-age middle-grade fiction children-books contemporary -
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![Best (Boy)friend Forever by Melissa J. Morgan]()
Best (Boy)friend Forever by Melissa J. Morgan
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPriya Shah is Camp Lakeview’s resident tomboy—her BFF in the whole world is Jordan: a BOY, but they are just friends. The girls in bunk 4C aren’t buying it, though. Priya’s used to the teasing and thinks she can take it. But during the fourth-division field trip to D.C. she realizes she’s never been more wrong...Categorized as:
children coming-of-age female-mc friendship realistic season-summer action-adventure book -
![Hattie and Hudson by Chris Van Dusen]()
Hattie and Hudson by Chris Van Dusen
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratings"This eloquent, evocative book about compassion is perfect for sparking discussions on prejudice. A sensational choice." --School Library JournalHattie McFadden is a born explorer. Every morning she paddles out in her canoe to discover something new on the lake, singing a little song along the way...Categorized as:
children female-mc friendship myths retellings season-summer action-adventure animals -
![Up for Air by Laurie Morrison]()
Up for Air by Laurie Morrison
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThirteen-year-old Annabelle struggles in school, no matter how hard she tries. But as soon as she dives into the pool, she’s unstoppable. She’s the fastest girl on the middle school swim team, and when she’s asked to join the high school team over the summer, everything changes... -
![Second Time's the Charm by Melissa J. Morgan]()
Second Time's the Charm by Melissa J. Morgan
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSworn city girl Natalie Goode is actually back—voluntarily—at Lakepuke for more. More mess-food cooking, more bug-infested bunk beds, and even more nature shack (well, maybe not nature shack; a girl has to maintain some standards, after all). And even though the returning 3C-ers have been split up, she’s still got Alyssa as her bunkmate and official summertime BFF...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship coming-of-age female-mc children-books contemporary fiction -
![RSVP by Melissa J. Morgan]()
RSVP by Melissa J. Morgan
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt’s the camp reunion and everyone from Bunk 3C is going to NYC for the weekend! And with the girls planning a big surprise for one of their bunkmates, it’s sure to be just like old times...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship season-summer coming-of-age female-mc children-books middle-grade -
![P.S. I Really Like You by Nancy E. Krulik]()
P.S. I Really Like You by Nancy E. Krulik
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsBestselling author Nancy Krulik takes an inside look at what it takes to survive middle school.Jenny has been getting gifts, cards, and notes from a secret admirer. Who could the mystery boy be? While Jenny is dealing with her admirer, Rachel and Felicia stop speaking following a basketball game in which Rachel refused to pass the ball to Felicia, and then missed the winning basket... -
![Wish You Weren't Here by Melissa J. Morgan]()
Wish You Weren't Here by Melissa J. Morgan
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAthletic, quiet Sarah loves Camp Lakeview and is psyched to be back for another summer in the sun. She gets along with everyone and never makes waves. But when Sarah meets the girls of bunk 4C, she’s in for a huge surprise: Phoebe, a classmate of hers from back home, has come to camp this summer! Phoebe’s friendly, sure, but . .Categorized as:
children coming-of-age female-mc friendship realistic season-summer action-adventure book -
![Small World by Ishta Mercurio]()
Small World by Ishta Mercurio
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen Nanda is born, the whole of her world is the circle of her mother’s arms. But as she grows, the world grows too. It expands outward—from her family, to her friends, to the city, to the countryside. And as it expands, so does Nanda’s wonder in the underlying shapes and structures patterning it: cogs and wheels, fractals in snowflakes... -
![A Fair to Remember by Melissa J. Morgan]()
A Fair to Remember by Melissa J. Morgan
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJenna is psyched to have all of her friends up to her lake house! Greenwood Lake is so much fun, especially on Memorial Day weekend, when they have an annual county picnic and an old-fashioned carnival. The weekend is off to a perfect start . . . until Jenna’s brother invites David, her old crush and Sarah’s current boyfriend! Jenna handles the situation by trying to ignore David...Categorized as:
realistic children season-summer friendship female-mc young-adult middle-grade children-books -
![Crush Alert by Annie Bryant]()
Crush Alert by Annie Bryant
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMeet the Beacon Street Girls...They're real, they're fun - they're just like you! Love is in the air at Abigail Adams Junior High. There's a big dance coming up, and the BSG are having fun thinking up dream dates. But as the day of the dance approaches, things start to get complicated... -
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![Winter Games by Melissa J. Morgan]()
Winter Games by Melissa J. Morgan
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPresidents' Weekend is coming up, and Tori's parents have invited four of her closest friends to their Tahoe home for a ski trip! No sooner have the girls booked their tickets to California than they learn that the Lakeview reunion is also scheduled for that weekend...Categorized as:
realistic friendship season-summer children coming-of-age female-mc middle-grade contemporary -
![Who's Got Spirit? by Nancy E. Krulik]()
Who's Got Spirit? by Nancy E. Krulik
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBestselling author Nancy Krulik delves into the mind of a twelve-year-old trying to survive middle school.It's fall spirit week at Joyce Kilmer Middle School, and the Pops have established their own exclusive "pep squad," complete with matching outfits! Jenny's friends decide to fight back by forming a rival group with their own uniforms...Categorized as:
realistic children friendship middle-grade children-books fiction contemporary young-adult -
![Scheme Spirit by Maya Gold]()
Scheme Spirit by Maya Gold
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDiana's never been a fan of cheerleaders. After all, mean queen bee Kayleigh is one, and she's always snooty to Diana and her friends. Still, Diana has school spirit, and is bummed to be missing the festivities for the town's Homecoming game while she's stuck working at the cleaners. But when Diana's co-worker Cat has to help a friend in need, Diana finds herself at the homecoming parade..Categorized as:
realistic children friendship children-books middle-grade contemporary womens-fiction fairy-tale -
![White Water by Jordan Ford]()
White Water by Jordan Ford
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIt’s Spring Break, a week of carefree fun, but for the Ryder Bay crew, it’s anything but…Can Harley find the courage to tell Aidan the truth about why she refuses to go to prom with him?Will Savannah’s decision not to go to college cause a rift in her family…and with Griffin?Skylar wants to move across the country, but how can she face leaving Jed?And where will Jace end up for his senior year...Categorized as:
season-summer sports female-mc coming-of-age friendship young-adult athlete contemporary -
![Wipeout by Jordan Ford]()
Wipeout by Jordan Ford
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsShe’s a soft-spoken loner. He’s a wild-eyed rebel. Can two virtual strangers find a way to click?Lettie keeps her nose in a book and her thoughts to herself. After her best friend dumped her on the first day of their freshman year, the only person she can still confide in is her mysterious email buddy... -
![Breaking the Ice by Gail Nall]()
Breaking the Ice by Gail Nall
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsKaitlin has always dreamed of being a champion figure skater, and she’s given up a lot to pursue her passion. But after having a totally uncharacteristic and decidedly NOT figure-skating-approved tantrum after getting her scores at a major competition she’s dropped by her coach and prestigious skating club...Categorized as:
sports realistic friendship female-mc middle-grade contemporary children-books fiction
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