Crushing It - by Erin Becker (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From debut author Erin Becker comes an action-packed but tender novel about first romance, queer identity, and learning how to be brave when it matters the most--now in paperback!

On the soccer field, Magic Mel is in her element. She's ready to lead her team to victory at the city championship in her new role as captain. Off the field, however, is a totally different story. Mel can't get a handle on her class presentation, her friend group has completely dissolved, and her ex-friend-current-teammate, Tory, is being the worst. The only place she feels like herself is in her text conversations where she shares her secret poetry with BTtoYouPlease.

Tory McNally, on the other hand, is keeping everything together, thank you very much. So what if her mom is more preoccupied with her craft projects and new husband than her, or that she's down to one IRL friend because of annoying, overly peppy "Magic" Mel? She's perfectly fine, and even when she maybe isn't, she's got NotEmilyD to text with.

As the championships loom closer, everything around Mel and Tory starts to get more and more complicated: the dynamics on the field, the rift between their friend group, and, as they connect anonymously online, maybe even their feelings for each other...

Review Quotes

An ALA Rainbow List Book
2024 Northern Lights Middle Grade Book Award Winner
A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book
Junior Library Guild Selection

"In this dynamic, touching, and authentic novel about the complexities of crushes, two former friends navigate the breakup of their friend group--the "Fearsome Foursome"--even as they unwittingly develop crushes on each other on an anonymous online school forum. . .Debut author Erin Becker skillfully takes on the middle-school tensions that arise when families, friends, sports teams, and love interests seemingly conspire to undermine us. Becker has convincingly captured the all-over-the-map feelings of middle-school relationships and created characters who are complex, sincere humans." --Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Two eighth grade soccer players manage messy families, fractured friendship, and confusing feelings in Becker's charming debut, a delight for fans of realistic, emotionally deep novels. Becker lines up relatable problems and believably conflicted choices alongside a tender, slow-building romance and intense soccer matches." --Publishers Weekly

"[With] natural suspense and excitement...this fun, enemies-to-lovers lesbian middle-grade plot should appeal to fans and non-fans of soccer alike." --Booklist

"An authentic, character driven look at self doubt and identity." --School Library Journal

"Affirming family and friends surround the main characters as they struggle with changing relationships and insecurities about their identities. Fluttering romantic tension and fast, suspenseful pace...an engaging premise." --Kirkus Reviews

"Erin Becker's Crushing It is an exceptional debut that explores the way friendships change during middle school. Mel and Tory are relatable characters, and their stories weave together so perfectly as both girls find their voices and footing, on the soccer field and off. This book has my whole heart and will resonate with so many readers." --A. J. Sass, award-winning author of Ellen Outside the Lines and Ana on the Edge

About the Author

Erin Becker (she/her) is an author and marketer living in Washington, DC. She grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was a Morehead-Cain scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and holds her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Crushing It is her first novel. When she's not writing, you can find her at the gym, or occasionally playing soccer (though not nearly as well as Mel and Tory). Learn more and connect with Erin at erinbecker.me.