The Accidental Cheerleader
By Pam Gelman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Easy read on fitting in not worth cheering about.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
is the best !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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What's the Story?
Shy, small Sophie and loud, wild Kylie try out for cheerleading. Sophie makes it while Kylie is designated team mascot, the mule. Their relationship is tested further when Sophie becomes part of the cheerleading popular clique. She tries to include Kylie but is frustrated and embarrassed by her friend's antics to get attention. The cheerleaders encourage Sophie to ditch Kylie -- until a rumor spreads that Sophie likes a popular, very-spoken-for football player.
Sophie actually likes Kylie's neighbor, who also believes that Sophie has changed. Sophie has some soul-searching and explaining to do to get back her friends.
Is It Any Good?
One of the biggest errors in this book is the lack of diversity. Are these kids really any different? And parents, don't be fooled by the easy-to-read text -- there are many passages about dreamy boys, spending money on clothes, and experimenting with makeup that make this book not totally inappropriate for younger readers, but a much better fit for kids facing similar issues, readers 11+.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the transformation of Sophie from shy outsider to popular cheerleader. Would you have managed the popular crowd differently than Sophie? Do these characters seem realistic and are they reminiscent of real classmates?
Book Details
- Author: Mimi McCoy
- Genre: Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
- Publication date: January 1, 2007
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 176
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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