37 pages 1 hour read

Christina Soontornvat, Illustr. Joanna Cacao

The Tryout

Nonfiction | Graphic Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 2022

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Chapters 7-8

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary: “March, Tryout Day”

Christina wakes up on the morning of the tryouts and irons her shirt, brushes her teeth, and makes her ponytail as perfect as possible. Her parents offer words of encouragement, but Christina is full of doubt. At the tryouts, all the girls gather and everyone is nervous. The pairs each wait for their turns to perform outside the gymnasium, and Christina knows there’s a gym full of chattering students awaiting her. As Christina and Stephanie await their turn, Christina tries to gear herself up. When her name is called, she looks determined to succeed.

Christina and Stephanie step out onto the gym floor, and it looks massive and daunting. Their routine starts out a little sloppy and uninspired, but when Christina hears Tobin calling her “Rice Girl” again, her attitude changes and she decides she has to do her best. She and Stephanie ace their routine and their stunt, and Christina leaves the gym feeling confident and filled with enthusiasm. She sees Megan on the other side, and they share their success.

All the girls gather in an office to hear whether they made the squad or not. The principal makes the announcement, and as each name is called, Christina becomes more and more nervous.