Last One Picked - by Audrey Meeker (Hardcover)

About the Book

Will Annabeth learn to enjoy volleyball, or will she be left at the mercy of a sport she never wanted to play? Find out in Last One Picked, a charming, heartwarming middle grade graphic novel from creator Audrey Meeker.

Book Synopsis

Will Annabeth learn to enjoy volleyball, or will she be left at the mercy of a sport she never wanted to play? Find out in Last One Picked, a charming, heartwarming middle grade graphic novel from creator Audrey Meeker.

Annabeth has the perfect plan for the summer after eighth grade: volunteering at her local library and lounging at home re-reading her favorite books ever, the Warrior Princess series. But when her mom decides to sign her up for volleyball camp - worse, the same volleyball camp her ex-best friend Serena is going to - those plans go out the window. Annabeth is immediately out of her depth, with no experience, no friends, and no kneepads, and the volleyball girls are all tall, athletic, and extroverted . . . unlike her. Then Serena shows up at the library as a new volunteer, and everything goes from bad to worse.

But it turns out that maybe volleyball isn't the worst thing ever, and Annabeth slowly starts to gain confidence and the support of her teammates, while Serena's bad attitude begins to override her skill on the court. As tryouts approach, the girls make a deal: Annabeth will intentionally fail during tryouts so Serena can have her spot on the team, and in exchange, Serena will let her take her job as a volunteer for the library's upcoming Warrior Princess author event. It seems like a win-win scenario . . . but suddenly giving up the chance at playing volleyball doesn't sound as great as Annabeth thought it might.

Review Quotes

Praise for Last One Picked:

"An A+ read." --Sequential Tart

"This heartfelt graphic novel delivers an affirming, body-positive message to readers. The artwork is reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier's, with bold black outlines and Davidson's pastel palette . . . a charming coming-of-age story about finding confidence in the place you'd least expect." --Kirkus

"Brilliant . . . the complex feelings that come with -being picked--first or last--will resonate with -every middle grade reader as will the topics of competition, body image, moms, role models, and being true to yourself." --School Library Journal

"Not only does this story about trying new things with impartiality emphasize the value of sports and teamwork, it also meaningfully explores body image and self-acceptance . . . Happy proof that you can love both books and sports." --Booklist

Praise for Swing:

A Great Lakes Great Books Award Winner!

"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

About the Author

Audrey Meeker started playing volleyball in the fifth grade and hated it. But because of her parents, and her own stubbornness, she continued to play all through middle and high school. Somewhere along the way she began to love it and often misses the skinned knees and team cheers (but not the smelly, sweaty knee pads). Now, she works as a comic artist and barista in Athens, Georgia. When she's not drawing, she's powerlifting, sleeping, or trying to like black coffee.