Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lively, funny, continuation of middle school graphic memoir.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE SQUAD begins in January, 1994, in a small town in Texas where Christina is excited to be going back to her second semester of eighth grade. She's feeling a lot more comfortable being herself, has terrific friends, and is doing well in school. She still gets some grief from people about being biracial, but she's learning to stand up for herself, and also not to let them bring her down. When she learns that spots have opened up on next year's ninth-grade cheer squad, Christina and her friends decide to try out again, even after last year's letdown. Everything's going well, until she overhears her parents talking about getting a divorce, and her world starts to fall apart. But if she can keep a big smile on her face and her cheer spirit up, everything will be fine, right?
Is It Any Good?
This is a sweet, engaging, moving, and often funny graphic memoir of a young teen dealing with family turmoil as she's trying to get comfortable with herself and her life. Christina is easy to relate to, and readers will enjoy rooting for her in The Squad as she chases her dream while her world is crumbling around her. The illustrations are lively, colorful, and expressive. Author Christina Soontornvat handles important topics like racism, identity, friendship, and family with humor and grace, especially the realistic portrayal of a family in the midst of divorce.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Squad deals with divorce. Are your parents divorced, or do you know someone whose parents are? How did you feel and how did you handle your feelings? Were you able to help someone in this situation?
How does perseverance help Christina achieve her dream? How does Christina's art class group model teamwork?
Did you read The Tryout before reading this book? If so, how does this one compare? If not, would you like to now?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Joanna Cacao
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Graphix
- Publication date : November 12, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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