The Squad: A Graphic Novel (the Tryout #2) - by Christina Soontornvat (Hardcover)

About the Book

As an 8th grader from a racially mixed family, Christina faces a new set of challenges, heartbreaks, and triumphs.

Book Synopsis

Break out your pom poms! The highly anticipated, stand-alone companion to the instant #1 bestseller The Tryout promises even more cheer, higher stakes, and relatable middle-school drama. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

"Raw, candid, moving, and full of heart." --Betty C. Tang, creator of the award-winning bestseller Parachute Kids

"Gorgeous, heartfelt, and hilarious." --Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series

"Soontornvat's words and Cacao's art work together seamlessly." --Booklist Reviews

STEP UP. COMMIT. FOLLOW THROUGH.

It's eighth grade and Christina and her besties, Megan and Leanne, are once again going through the brutal trials of cheerleading tryouts. This year, Christina feels more confident: She dresses in her own style and has amazing friends, even her first crush. But what if the girls don't all make the squad? Worse than that, Christina learns her parents' marriage is collapsing. Suddenly, her family, her future, and her identity seem in total freefall. Can she keep it together and still make her cheerleading dreams come true?

Review Quotes

Praise for The Squad:

"[A] funny, relatable, stand-alone graphic memoir companion to The Tryout, the story also explores divorce, friend drama, a first crush, racism, and microaggressions. . . Cacao's bright, sharply rendered illustrations highlight the characters' expressions and add context. . . Another hilarious and sincere look at a middle schooler's search for her squad." --Kirkus Reviews

"Picking up soon after The Tryout (2022) ends, Soontornvat's words and Cacao's art work together seamlessly to bring to light the different ways adults and tweens communicate and view the world. A solid addition to the middle-grade graphic memoir genre." --Booklist Reviews

"Christina and Joanna do it again! The Squad is raw, candid, moving, and full of heart. This beautifully illustrated sequel to The Tryout truly captures the growing pains of middle school, dealing with heartbreaking family matters, and the perseverance of the human spirit." --Betty C. Tang, author of the award-winning bestseller Parachute Kids

"Three cheers for The Squad! I loved every gorgeous, heartfelt, and hilarious page." -Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series

"This story is so full of heart. I was cheering for Christina!" --Kayla Miller, creator of the Click graphic novel series

"Like cheerleading itself, Christina's life is full of tumbles, twists, and turns. When her indomitable spirit is challenged and threatens to break, you'll find yourself rooting for her in this uproarious and inspiring page turner." --Lisa Yee, author of the Newbery Honor book and National Book Award Finalist Maizy Chen's Last Chance

About the Author

Christina Soontornvat is a three-time Newbery Honoree, a Sibert Honoree, and a Kirkus Prize winner. Her highly acclaimed backlist includes the middle grade books The Tryout, The Squad, The Last Mapmaker, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen; the picture book To Change a Planet; and the chapter book series Diary of an Ice Princess, Legends of Lotus Island, and the highly anticipated NEXT series, The Luckies, with Sarah Mlynowski. Christina lives in Tennessee with her family. Learn more at soontornvat.com.
Joanna Cacao is a Canadian-Filipino author-illustrator. She illustrated the first two books in The Tryout Series, The Tryout and The Squad, both instant bestsellers, and has authored and illustrated her debut graphic novel, The Secret of the Ravens. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada. Learn more at joannacacao.com.